Found this on Facebook the other day, which reminded me that I have wanted to write yet another post to this series. First of all, do you think Albert in Candy Candy was an introvert?
http://giftedkids.about.com/od/glossary/g/introvert.htm
“… contrary to what most people think, an introvert is not simply a person who is shy… an introvert is a person who is energized by being alone… Introverts enjoy thinking, exploring their thoughts and feelings. They often avoid social situations because being around people drains their energy. This is true even if they have good social skills…”
In other words, introverts have desires to be quietly introspective. I’m not saying Albert was necessarily an introvert. Yet, in Candy Candy Final Story, in his own words to Candy, he described what had happened just before encountering the crybaby Candy on Pony’s Hill: he had wandered around the place and begun contemplating the meanings of his life and his destiny. Being a teenager then, he had seemed very mature and responsible.
In his other letters to Candy in the Epilogue, he opened up more and more about his inner thoughts and feelings, his past and his future. Why did Albert tell Candy so much about himself? That alone speaks volumes of how special she was to him, and that he trusted her enough to reveal his vulnerable side. Even Candy responded to Albert by saying that
I stained your letter with tears.
I’ll never call you “Graaandpa” again. I’ll never let you bear anything!
I feel you have become much closer and closer to me.