- A Week of Remembrance-
We also see how the inhabitants of small rural Canadian villages were forced by circumstance into a much wider knowledge of the world, anxiously following the movements of the Canadian troops- place names such as Ypres, Courcelette, and Vimy became all too familiar as time and the war dragged on. In 'Rilla', the narrative focuses on Prince Edward Island, all details of the war in France being relayed through news reports and letters from the boys overseas.
Although 'Rilla of Ingleside' is darker than most of Montgomery's work, it is not unrelentingly grim. Just as the every day tasks of life continue during war, so does Life as a whole- tragedy, comedy, good moments and bad, all rolled into one. Even in times of war- especially in times of war- it is necessary to retain the ability to laugh at the ridiculous moments as well as cry during the tragic ones. 'R. of I.' reflects this, with episodes such as Rilla carrying the baby home in a soup tureen, Susan blundering in on Ken and Rilla's attempt at a romantic farewell scene, and Susan's own ill-fated marriage proposal.
-Rilla of Ingleside