Davy's Lies and Dora's Disappearance

Anne of Avonlea

A prank escalates into a frightening search and forces Davy to understand how deception damages the people he loves.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

A Quiet Afternoon A Quiet Afternoon from "Anne of Avonlea". A Quiet Afternoon Unsupervised Play Marilla Cuthbert leaves Dora playing at home and Davy making mud pies.

A Quiet Afternoon from "Anne of Avonlea". A Quiet Afternoon Unsupervised Play Marilla Cuthbert leaves Dora playing at home and Davy making mud pies.

A Quiet Afternoon Unsupervised Play Marilla Cuthbert leaves Dora playing at home and Davy making mud pies. When she returns, Dora is missing, and Davy claims he has not seen her since dinner. Fear Takes Hold Anne Shirley and Marilla search the house, yard, and outbuildings. Davy's cheerful suggestions about possible hiding places seem helpful, obscuring his role in the disappearance.

The Well Search The Well Search from "Anne of Avonlea". The Well Search A Terrible Possibility Davy suggests Dora may have fallen into the deep well.

The Well Search A Terrible Possibility Davy suggests Dora may have fallen into the deep well. Anne and Marilla confront the possibility they have been avoiding and call for help. The Search Intensifies Mr. Barry drags the well but finds no child. The relief does not resolve the mystery, and Davy watches with apparent enjoyment as the adults' fear grows.

Dora in the Toolhouse Dora in the Toolhouse from "Anne of Avonlea". Dora in the Toolhouse A Cry for Help Anne searches J. A. Harrison's locked property and hears Dora crying from a toolhouse.

Dora in the Toolhouse from "Anne of Avonlea". Dora in the Toolhouse A Cry for Help Anne searches J. A. Harrison's locked property and hears Dora crying from a toolhouse.

Dora in the Toolhouse A Cry for Help Anne searches J. A. Harrison's locked property and hears Dora crying from a toolhouse. She finds the frightened child cold, hungry, and shut inside. The Real Prank Dora explains that Davy brought her there, kicked at Ginger's door, and then locked her in. The discovery ends the search but reveals a breach of trust more serious than ordinary mischief.

The Falsehood Exposed The Falsehood Exposed from "Anne of Avonlea". The Falsehood Exposed A Sorrowful Confrontation Marilla brings Davy home, expecting Anne to help discipline him.

The Falsehood Exposed from "Anne of Avonlea". The Falsehood Exposed A Sorrowful Confrontation Marilla brings Davy home, expecting Anne to help discipline him.

The Falsehood Exposed A Sorrowful Confrontation Marilla brings Davy home, expecting Anne to help discipline him. Anne's sorrow is deeper than anger because Davy has lied directly to her. Understanding the Child Davy does not understand why his lie was wrong; he thought it necessary to make the scare work. Anne's tears awaken remorse more effectively than a lecture alone.

A Promise to Tell Truth A Promise to Tell Truth from "Anne of Avonlea". A Promise to Tell Truth A New Moral Lesson Davy promises not to lie again after learning that falsehood is wrong.

A Promise to Tell Truth from "Anne of Avonlea". A Promise to Tell Truth A New Moral Lesson Davy promises not to lie again after learning that falsehood is wrong.

A Promise to Tell Truth A New Moral Lesson Davy promises not to lie again after learning that falsehood is wrong. Marilla concludes that the adults must teach him from the beginning because neglect left him without many basic lessons. Trust Repaired The punishment remains imperfect and the conversation continues, but the episode deepens Davy's attachment to Anne. He begins to understand that his actions affect people who care about him.

a November afternoon, while Marilla is away

that evening, after the first search fails

later that evening, at Harrison's property

that night, after Dora is brought home

the same night, before Davy falls asleep