Anne of Avonlea · Chapters
Chapters explained
Chapter companions for Anne of Avonlea by L. M. Montgomery.
Chapter 1
Dedication
The author dedicates the book to her former teacher, Hattie Gordon Smith, expressing gratitude for her sympathy and encouragement.
Chapter 2
Epigraph
The chapter opens with a poetic epigraph by Whittier, celebrating a woman whose presence transforms duty and rigidity into beauty and grace.
Chapter 3
Anne of Avonlea
Anne Shirley, now a schoolteacher at Avonlea, navigates the challenges of her new role while managing the mischievous Davy Keith and his twin sister Dora, who have come to live at Green Gables. She also deals with the irascible Mr. Harrison and his parrot Ginger, and finds joy in her deepening friendships and the beauty of Avonlea.
Chapter 4
An Irate Neighbour
On a ripe August afternoon, Anne Shirley sits on the doorstep of Green Gables, dreaming of her future as a teacher and the influence she might have on her pupils. Her reverie is interrupted by the irate Mr. J. A. Harrison, whose cow has repeatedly broken into his oat field. Anne defends herself and her cow, Dolly, and suggests that Mr. Harrison's fence might be at fault. The chapter also introduces the Village Improvement Society idea, with Anne and Gilbert Blythe planning to beautify Avonlea, and Mrs. Rachel Lynde sharing news that Priscilla Grant will teach at Carmody.
Chapter 5
Selling in Haste and Repenting at Leisure
Anne and Diana discuss plans for the Avonlea Village Improvement Society while shopping in Carmody. On their return, Anne discovers Mr. Harrison's Jersey cow in her oat field. In a fit of frustration, she impulsively sells the cow to Mr. Shearer, only to realize she has sold the wrong cow—Mr. Harrison's cow, not her own Dolly. Horrified, Anne prepares to confess to Mr. Harrison, bringing a nut cake as a peace offering.
Chapter 6
Mr. Harrison at Home
Anne goes to Mr. Harrison's house to confess that she accidentally sold his Jersey cow instead of her own. Despite initial awkwardness and the rude interruptions of his parrot Ginger, Mr. Harrison forgives her and they share tea and cake, beginning a friendship.
Chapter 7
IV: Different Opinions
On the eve of the first day of school, Anne Shirley, Jane Andrews, and Gilbert Blythe discuss their differing philosophies on teaching and discipline. Anne advocates for governing by affection and avoiding corporal punishment, while Jane supports whipping as necessary for order. Gilbert takes a middle ground, favoring corporal punishment only as a last resort. Later, Anne visits Mr. Harrison, who teases her about her idealistic methods and predicts she will lose her temper. Anne goes to bed anxious and pessimistic, but Marilla reassures her that failure in one day is not the end.
Chapter 8
A Full-Fledged Schoolma’am
Anne begins her first day as the teacher at Avonlea School, feeling nervous and overwhelmed. She faces her pupils, including the sullen Anthony Pye and the kindred-spirited Paul Irving. Despite minor disciplinary issues, she receives encouragement from Mrs. Lynde and begins to find her footing.
Chapter 9
All Sorts and Conditions of Men… and Women
Anne and Diana embark on a fundraising canvass for the Avonlea Village Improvement Society, encountering a variety of residents along the Newbridge road, including the pessimistic Eliza Andrews and her more optimistic sister Catherine. Despite ridicule and resistance, the Society presses forward with plans to re-shingle and paint the hall, reflecting Anne's idealism and the community's mixed reactions to change.
Chapter 10
The Pointing of Duty
Anne and Gilbert discuss their teaching experiences, including Anne's struggles with Anthony Pye and her success with Paul Irving. They share their future aspirations—Gilbert to become a doctor, Anne to bring beauty into the world. Marilla returns from visiting the dying Mary Keith and reluctantly decides to take in the Keith twins, Davy and Dora, out of a sense of duty.
Chapter 11
Marilla Adopts Twins
Marilla brings home the Keith twins, Davy and Dora, after their mother's funeral. Davy's mischievous nature immediately clashes with Marilla's strictness, while Dora is prim and obedient. Davy's antics include dropping a caterpillar down a girl's neck in church and later causing Dora to fall into a pigpen and then drenching her under a pump. Anne helps manage the chaos, using gentle discipline and comparisons to Paul Irving to influence Davy's behavior.
Chapter 12
IX: A Question of Colour
Mr. Harrison complains about Mrs. Lynde, and Anne defends her. They discuss the Avonlea Village Improvement Society's project to paint the hall green, but a mix-up with paint numbers results in the hall being painted a bright blue instead. The community initially reacts with anger, but public sympathy eventually shifts in favor of the Improvers.
Chapter 13
Davy in Search of a Sensation
Anne walks home through the Birch Path, reflecting on the beauty of November and her love of dreaming. She meets Diana and they plan to visit the Dicksons later. When Anne returns to Green Gables, Marilla reveals that Dora is missing. A frantic search ensues, during which Davy falsely claims ignorance. Eventually, Anne finds Dora locked in Mr. Harrison's tool-house, where Davy had imprisoned her for a scare. Confronted, Davy admits to the mischief but shows no remorse for lying until he sees Anne cry. He then repents, explaining he did not know falsehoods were wrong, and promises never to lie again.
Chapter 14
Facts and Fancies
Anne writes to a friend about the humorous and touching moments of teaching at Avonlea School. She shares amusing anecdotes about her students' spelling, arithmetic, and compositions, including a letter from Annetta Bell that turns out to be copied from her mother's old love letters, and other students' charmingly naive writings.
Chapter 15
A Jonah Day
Anne experiences a difficult day at school, beginning with a toothache and a bad mood. She loses her temper, scolds Barbara Shaw, punishes St. Clair Donnell, and ultimately whips Anthony Pye with a pointer, feeling deep shame and remorse. After confiding in Marilla, she finds comfort and wakes the next morning to a fresh start, unexpectedly receiving a respectful gesture from Anthony.
Chapter 16
A Golden Picnic
Anne plans a spring birthday picnic with Diana, Priscilla, and Jane. They explore the woods, discover Hester Gray's abandoned garden filled with narcissi, and enjoy a day of beauty and friendship. Anne reflects on the soul of poetry and the story of Hester Gray, a young bride who lived and died in the secluded farmhouse.
Chapter 17
A Danger Averted
Anne learns that Judson Parker plans to rent his fences for patent medicine advertisements, threatening the beauty of the Newbridge road. Despite the A.V.I.S.'s protests, Judson initially refuses to change his mind. However, after Anne accidentally overhears him accepting a political bribe from Jerry Corcoran, Judson reverses his decision to avoid exposure, saving the landscape and preserving his reputation.
Chapter 18
XV: The Beginning of Vacation
Anne Shirley closes the schoolhouse for the summer, feeling satisfied with her year and reengaged to teach. She walks to Matthew's grave, joined by Paul Irving, who shares his grief for his mother and his excitement for his upcoming birthday. Anne later visits Mrs. Allan, discussing friendship, gratitude, and her uncertain plans for college.
Chapter 19
XVI: The Substance of Things Hoped For
Anne receives a letter announcing that Mrs. Charlotte E. Morgan, a famous author, will visit Green Gables for dinner. She excitedly plans the menu and preparations, involving Diana and the household. Davy shares a comical theological misunderstanding about heaven being in Simon Fletcher's garret, which Anne gently corrects. The chapter highlights Anne's idealistic anticipation and her efforts to make everything perfect for the esteemed guest.
Chapter 20
A Chapter of Accidents
Anne and Diana prepare excitedly for Mrs. Morgan's visit, decorating the parlour and setting a perfect table. However, a series of mishaps occur: Davy accidentally breaks Miss Barry's antique platter, and a letter from Priscilla reveals that Mrs. Morgan sprained her ankle and cannot come. Despite the disappointment, Anne finds solace in the beauty of the evening sky and plans a picnic with the twins.
Chapter 21
An Adventure on the Tory Road
Anne gets stuck in a duck house roof while trying to spy a willowware platter at the Copp sisters' home on the Tory Road. Diana helps her wait out a thunderstorm, and they eventually negotiate with Miss Sarah Copp for the platter.
Chapter 22
Just a Happy Day
Anne reflects on the simple pleasures of life at Green Gables. She spends the morning with Diana and the twins at the pond, and in the afternoon visits Paul Irving, who confides his worry about being 'wrong in his upper story' after overhearing Mary Joe's comment. Anne reassures him. Later, she meets Gilbert Blythe, who discusses the progress of the A.V.I.S. and their shared hopes for beautifying Avonlea. The chapter ends with Marilla planning a trip to town and Anne listing her tasks for the next day.
Chapter 23
The Way It Often Happens
Anne hosts an unexpected visit from Mrs. Charlotte E. Morgan and Mrs. Pendexter, leading to a delightful afternoon despite her initial panic over her appearance and the meager meal. Meanwhile, Marilla and Dora depart for town, leaving Anne in charge of Davy, who discusses his views on goodness. Anne also suffers a comedic mishap when she accidentally dyes her nose red instead of applying freckle lotion.
Chapter 24
Sweet Miss Lavendar
Anne and Diana meet the charming and whimsical Miss Lavendar Lewis, who lives in a secluded house with her maid Charlotta the Fourth. They are invited to tea after Miss Lavendar confesses she was pretending to have a tea party to combat loneliness. Meanwhile, school opens with new pupils, including Davy and Dora Keith, and Dora is frightened by Mirabel Cotton's tales of a ghostly uncle. The chapter ends with Anne and Diana promising to visit Miss Lavendar again, and Anne inadvertently mentions Paul Irving, causing a subtle change in Miss Lavendar's demeanor.
Chapter 25
Odds and Ends
At breakfast, Anne tells Marilla about her tea with Miss Lavendar Lewis. Marilla recalls Lavendar's past and the broken engagement with Stephen Irving. The conversation is punctuated by Marilla's rebukes to Davy's mischievous behavior. Later, a letter arrives announcing the death of Richard Keith, who has left two thousand dollars in trust for Davy and Dora, ensuring they can stay at Green Gables permanently.
Chapter 26
Miss Lavendar's Romance
Anne visits Miss Lavendar at Echo Lodge on a snowy December evening, where they share a joyful, playful time. Miss Lavendar reveals the story of her broken engagement to Stephen Irving twenty-five years ago due to a foolish quarrel and her own pride and sulkiness. Later, Anne brings Paul Irving to meet Miss Lavendar, and they form an immediate, warm connection.
Chapter 27
A Prophet in His Own Country
In May, Avonlea is stirred by 'Avonlea Notes' in the Charlottetown Daily Enterprise, written by Gilbert Blythe and Anne Shirley, which include a false rumor of a wedding and a prediction of a storm by Uncle Abe. The storm arrives violently on the predicted evening, causing widespread destruction, including broken windows, ruined crops, and the death of Mr. Harrison's parrot, Ginger. The community reels from the damage, but Uncle Abe enjoys his moment of vindication. Anne and Gilbert reflect on the event with a mix of guilt and philosophical hope.
Chapter 28
An Avonlea Scandal
In the wake of Uncle Abe's storm, Anne mourns the loss of the June lilies she intended for Matthew's grave. A mysterious woman arrives seeking Mr. Harrison, revealing herself to be his estranged wife, Emily. The scandal of Mr. Harrison's supposed bachelorhood unravels as he explains their separation over housekeeping and a parrot named Ginger. With the help of Anne's anonymous 'Observer' notes, the couple reconciles, and Mrs. Harrison settles into Avonlea, earning Mrs. Lynde's approval.
Chapter 29
Around the Bend
Thomas Lynde passes away, and Marilla proposes that Mrs. Rachel Lynde come to live at Green Gables, which would allow Anne to attend Redmond College. Anne resigns from teaching and prepares for the transition, while reflecting on her friendships and ideals with Diana.
Chapter 30
An Afternoon at the Stone House
Anne and Paul visit Miss Lavendar at Echo Lodge, where Paul's perceptive nature draws out Miss Lavendar's wistful longing for a lost love. Charlotta the Fourth confides her worries about Miss Lavendar's declining spirits, and Anne resolves to spend a week at Echo Lodge to cheer her. The chapter explores themes of loneliness, imagination, and the bittersweet beauty of memory.
Chapter 31
The Prince Comes Back to the Enchanted Palace
Stephen Irving returns to Echo Lodge to reunite with Miss Lavendar Lewis, fulfilling a long-delayed romance. Anne Shirley, visiting for her vacation, plays a key role in facilitating their reunion. The chapter also reflects on Anne's closing chapter as a teacher and her bittersweet feelings about change.
Chapter 32
Poetry and Prose
Anne is swept up in the excitement of Miss Lavendar's wedding preparations and Diana's engagement to Fred Wright. She reflects on the romance of bringing Miss Lavendar and Stephen Irving together, while Marilla offers a more practical view. Diana shares her engagement news with Anne, who playfully teases her but supports her happiness. Anne also builds her own 'home o' dreams' in her imagination, where Gilbert Blythe unexpectedly appears.
Chapter 33
A Wedding at the Stone House
The last week of August brings Miss Lavendar's wedding, Anne and Gilbert's imminent departure for Redmond College, and Mrs. Lynde's move to Green Gables. Anne and Diana help with final preparations at Echo Lodge, while Charlotta the Fourth frets over potential disasters. The wedding proceeds under a cloudy sky, and afterward Anne shares a poignant moment with Gilbert, realizing that love may grow naturally from friendship. The chapter closes with the stone house waiting for future joys.
