Anne of Green Gables · Chapters
Chapters explained
Chapter companions for Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery.
Chapter 1
Mrs. Rachel Lynde Is Surprised
Mrs. Rachel Lynde, a nosy and capable neighbor, observes Matthew Cuthbert leaving Avonlea in his best suit and buggy, which is unusual. She visits Marilla to investigate and learns that Matthew is going to Bright River to pick up an orphan boy they intend to adopt. Mrs. Rachel expresses strong disapproval and warns of potential dangers, but Marilla defends the decision, explaining that Matthew was set on it. Mrs. Rachel leaves to spread the news, pitying the unknown child.
Chapter 2
Matthew Cuthbert Is Surprised
Matthew Cuthbert drives to Bright River to pick up a boy from the orphan asylum, but instead finds a talkative, imaginative girl named Anne Shirley. Despite his shyness and confusion, he decides to bring her home to Green Gables, leaving the explanation to Marilla. Anne's vivid imagination and hopeful nature shine through as she expresses her longing for a home and belonging.
Chapter 3
III: Marilla Cuthbert Is Surprised
Marilla is astonished to find that Mrs. Spencer has brought a girl, Anne Shirley, instead of the boy they requested. Anne is heartbroken upon realizing she is not wanted, but Marilla and Matthew decide to let her stay temporarily while they investigate the mistake. Anne's imaginative and talkative nature begins to soften Marilla's stern demeanor, and Matthew shows a quiet desire to keep her.
Chapter 4
Morning at Green Gables
Anne awakens to the beauty of Green Gables on a June morning, marveling at the cherry tree, orchard, and brook. She struggles with the knowledge that she may not be allowed to stay, but her imaginative and talkative nature captivates Marilla, who remains determined to return her to Mrs. Spencer. Matthew silently signals his wish to keep Anne by hiring Jerry Buote for the summer.
Chapter 5
Anne’s History
On the drive to White Sands, Anne shares her life story with Marilla, revealing her orphaned past, her time with the Thomas and Hammond families, and her stay at the Hopeton asylum. Marilla, moved by pity and a growing sense of connection, begins to reconsider sending Anne back.
Chapter 6
Marilla Makes Up Her Mind
Marilla and Anne visit Mrs. Spencer to rectify the mistake about wanting a boy. Mrs. Blewett offers to take Anne, but Marilla, moved by Anne's distress and Matthew's silent wish, decides to keep her at Green Gables.
Chapter 7
Anne Says Her Prayers
Marilla instructs Anne on proper bedtime habits and is shocked to learn Anne has never said prayers. Anne recites the catechism but reveals her resentment toward God for making her hair red. Marilla insists she pray, and Anne offers an unconventional, imaginative prayer thanking God for the natural beauty she has named and asking to stay at Green Gables and become good-looking. Marilla, both exasperated and amused, resolves to begin Anne's religious education.
Chapter 8
Anne’s Bringing-Up Is Begun
Marilla decides to keep Anne and begins her upbringing by assigning chores and teaching her the Lord's Prayer. Anne, overjoyed at staying, learns about her new home and expresses her longing for a bosom friend, imagining Diana Barry as a potential kindred spirit. She also reflects on her past imaginary friends, Katie Maurice and Violetta, and embraces her identity as Anne of Green Gables.
Chapter 9
Mrs. Rachel Lynde Is Properly Horrified
Mrs. Rachel Lynde visits Green Gables to inspect Anne, who has been exploring the property and forming attachments to its natural beauty. When Mrs. Lynde bluntly criticizes Anne's appearance, Anne explodes in a furious outburst, calling Mrs. Lynde rude and unfeeling. Marilla, though initially shocked, defends Anne's feelings and later insists Anne must apologize, but Anne stubbornly refuses, leading to a tense standoff.
Chapter 10
Anne's Apology
After her outburst at Mrs. Lynde, Anne remains stubbornly confined to her room, refusing to apologize. Matthew secretly visits her and persuades her to make amends. Anne eventually apologizes to Mrs. Lynde, who accepts and offers her a kind word about her hair. The chapter ends with Anne feeling a sense of belonging and happiness at Green Gables.
Chapter 11
XI: Anne's Impressions of Sunday-School
Anne prepares for her first Sunday school, disappointed by the plain dresses Marilla made for her and longing for puffed sleeves. She adorns her hat with wildflowers and attends church alone after Mrs. Lynde is absent. In Sunday school, she feels out of place among the other girls, struggles with the rigid teaching style of Miss Rogerson, and finds solace in her imagination, gazing at the Lake of Shining Waters. She recites a paraphrase and reflects on the service, sharing her candid impressions with Marilla, who is both troubled and secretly sympathetic.
Chapter 12
XII: A Solemn Vow and Promise
Anne meets Diana Barry for the first time, and the two girls form a deep friendship, solemnly vowing to be bosom friends forever. Meanwhile, Marilla scolds Anne for wearing flowers on her hat to church, but later takes her to visit the Barrys. The chapter ends with Anne's joy overflowing as she receives chocolate from Matthew and plans adventures with Diana.
Chapter 13
XIII: The Delights of Anticipation
Anne is so excited about the upcoming Sunday school picnic that she neglects her chores, staying out late playing with Diana and talking to Matthew. Marilla scolds her for disobedience but ultimately agrees to let her go and even promises to bake a basket for the picnic. Anne expresses her dislike for patchwork, describes her imaginative playhouse Idlewild with Diana, and shares her thoughts on anticipation and disappointment. The chapter ends with Anne admiring Marilla's amethyst brooch.
Chapter 14
XIV: Anne's Confession
Anne confesses to taking and losing Marilla's amethyst brooch, but Marilla punishes her by forbidding her from attending the picnic. Anne's dramatic despair and Marilla's stern resolve highlight the clash between Anne's imaginative nature and Marilla's strict sense of justice.
Chapter 15
XV: A Tempest in the School Teapot
Anne and Diana enjoy their picturesque walk to school through Lover's Lane, Willowmere, Violet Vale, and the Birch Path. At school, Anne meets Gilbert Blythe for the first time. After Gilbert teases her by calling her 'Carrots' and pulling her hair, Anne breaks her slate over his head. Mr. Phillips punishes Anne by making her sit next to Gilbert, which she finds deeply humiliating. Gilbert tries to make amends with a candy heart, but Anne crushes it. She vows never to return to school, despite Diana's pleas and Marilla's initial resistance.
Chapter 16
Diana Is Invited to Tea with Tragic Results
Anne revels in the beauty of October at Green Gables and is thrilled when Marilla allows her to invite Diana for tea. While Marilla is away, Anne serves what she believes is raspberry cordial, but it is actually currant wine, leading to Diana becoming intoxicated. Mrs. Barry is furious and forbids Diana from seeing Anne, leaving Anne heartbroken despite her attempts to apologize.
Chapter 17
A New Interest in Life
Anne and Diana bid a dramatic farewell after Mrs. Barry forbids Diana from playing with Anne. Anne returns to school, where she is warmly welcomed by her classmates but ignored by Diana. She throws herself into her studies, spurred by a rivalry with Gilbert Blythe, and excels in most subjects except geometry.
Chapter 18
Anne to the Rescue
Anne and Matthew keep house while Marilla attends a political rally. Anne struggles with geometry but finds comfort in Matthew's praise. When Minnie May falls dangerously ill with croup, Anne skillfully nurses her through the night, earning the gratitude of the Barrys and the doctor's admiration.
Chapter 19
XIX: A Concert, a Catastrophe, and a Confession
Anne is allowed to attend a concert after Matthew insists, leading to a night of excitement. A catastrophe occurs when she and Diana accidentally jump into bed with Diana's visiting Aunt Josephine, who is furious. Anne bravely confesses to the old lady, winning her over with her sincerity and imagination.
Chapter 20
A Good Imagination Gone Wrong
Spring arrives at Green Gables, and Anne revels in the beauty of Mayflowers and violets. She and Diana create a 'Haunted Wood' in a spruce grove, peopling it with ghosts and specters for romantic thrill. When Marilla sends Anne through the grove after dark to fetch a pattern, Anne's terror is real, and she learns a hard lesson about letting her imagination run wild. The chapter also marks the anniversary of Anne's arrival at Green Gables.
Chapter 21
A New Departure in Flavourings
Anne makes a cake for the new minister and his wife, Mrs. Allan, but accidentally uses anodyne liniment instead of vanilla, leading to a disastrous result. Mrs. Allan comforts Anne, who later reflects on the departure of Mr. Phillips and the arrival of the new minister. The chapter also includes Anne's preparations for hosting the minister and his wife for tea.
Chapter 22
Anne Is Invited Out to Tea
Anne receives an invitation to tea at the manse from Mrs. Allan, causing great excitement. Despite Marilla's attempts to calm her, Anne's intense emotions prevail. The day arrives fine, and Anne enjoys a successful visit, bonding with Mrs. Allan and learning that a new lady teacher, Miss Muriel Stacy, has been hired.
Chapter 23
Anne Comes to Grief in an Affair of Honour
At a small party given by Diana Barry, the girls engage in a game of dares. After Josie Pye dares Anne to walk the ridgepole of Mr. Barry's kitchen roof, Anne accepts to defend her honour. She falls, breaking her ankle, and is carried home by Mr. Barry. Marilla realizes how deeply she cares for Anne. The chapter ends with Anne recovering and eagerly anticipating the new schoolteacher, Miss Stacy.
Chapter 24
Miss Stacy and Her Pupils Get Up a Concert
Anne returns to school in October, delighted to be back with her friends and under the inspiring guidance of Miss Stacy. The new teacher's sympathetic and encouraging nature helps Anne flourish academically and personally. Miss Stacy proposes that the students organize a concert on Christmas night to raise money for a school flag. Anne throws herself into the preparations with enthusiasm, taking on recitations, dialogues, and a tableau role as Hope, despite Marilla's disapproval. She finds a sympathetic listener in Matthew, who supports her endeavors.
Chapter 25
Matthew Insists on Puffed Sleeves
Matthew notices that Anne's plain, old-fashioned dresses set her apart from her schoolmates, and he resolves to buy her a fashionable new dress with puffed sleeves for Christmas. He enlists Mrs. Lynde's help to have the dress made, and on Christmas morning Anne is overjoyed to receive the beautiful brown gloria dress with puffed sleeves. The chapter culminates in the successful Christmas concert where Anne shines as the star performer.
Chapter 26
The Story Club Is Formed
Anne and her friends struggle to return to everyday life after the concert. Anne turns thirteen and reflects on growing up. She and Diana discuss beaus, imagination, and writing compositions. Anne has formed a story club with her friends, writing moralistic tales. She reads one of her stories, 'The Jealous Rival; or, in Death Not Divided,' to Diana, describing its plot and characters.
Chapter 27
Vanity and Vexation of Spirit
Marilla returns home from an Aid meeting expecting tea ready, but finds Anne missing and the fire out. She discovers Anne in her room with green hair, the result of dyeing it with a peddler's product. Anne, in despair, cuts her hair short to fix the damage. She endures teasing at school but resolves to be good, while Marilla's headache improves as Anne chatters.
Chapter 28
An Unfortunate Lily Maid
Anne and her friends decide to reenact Tennyson's poem 'The Lady of Shalott' on the pond. Anne plays Elaine and lies in a flat-bottomed boat, but the boat leaks and sinks, leaving Anne clinging to a bridge pile. Gilbert Blythe rescues her, but Anne refuses his offer of friendship, still holding a grudge from when he teased her about her red hair. Later, Anne reflects on her mistakes and resolves to be less romantic, though Matthew encourages her to keep a little romance in her heart.
Chapter 29
An Epoch in Anne's Life
Anne and Diana visit Miss Josephine Barry in town for the Exhibition, experiencing the grandeur of her house, the excitement of the fairgrounds, and a concert. Anne reflects on the joys of the trip and the comfort of returning home to Green Gables, marking the visit as a significant milestone.
Chapter 30
The Queen's Class Is Organized
As November twilight falls over Green Gables, Marilla watches Anne dream by the fire and reflects on her deep, undemonstrative love for the girl. Miss Stacy visits to announce the organization of a special Queen's class for students preparing for the Entrance exam. Anne, now nearly fourteen, feels the solemn weight of approaching adulthood and resolves to form good habits. The chapter follows Anne's emotional journey as she navigates rivalry with Gilbert Blythe, her secret regret over their estrangement, and her determination to hide her feelings. The winter passes in study, and spring brings a wistful longing for freedom. Miss Stacy decides to stay another year, and Anne joyfully packs away her books for a summer of imagination before she must 'put on longer skirts' and leave childhood behind.
Chapter 31
Where the Brook and River Meet
Anne enjoys a carefree summer outdoors, regaining her health and zest for life. As she prepares for the Entrance examination, she reflects on her growth, her changing relationship with language, and her anxieties about the future. She also discusses her feelings about Mrs. Lynde's influence and her thoughts on women becoming ministers.
Chapter 32
The Pass List Is Out
The school term ends, and Anne and Diana mourn the departure of Miss Stacy. Anne goes to Charlottetown to take her Entrance examinations, competing fiercely with Gilbert Blythe. After weeks of anxious waiting, Diana brings the news that Anne has passed first—tied with Gilbert—and Anne shares her triumph with Matthew, Marilla, and Mrs. Lynde.
Chapter 33
The Hotel Concert
Anne prepares for a concert at the White Sands Hotel, where she is to recite. Despite initial stage fright and feelings of inadequacy among more sophisticated performers, she overcomes her fear after seeing Gilbert Blythe in the audience and delivers a successful recitation, earning applause and compliments.
Chapter 34
A Queen's Girl
Anne prepares to leave for Queen's Academy, receiving a new green dress from Marilla and emotional farewells from Matthew and Marilla. In town, she experiences homesickness in her boardinghouse room but is visited by Josie Pye, Jane Andrews, and Ruby Gillis. Anne learns of the Avery scholarship opportunity and decides to pursue First Class work alongside Gilbert Blythe, while grappling with loneliness and the challenge of making new friends.
Chapter 35
XXXV: The Winter at Queen’s
Anne's homesickness fades with weekend visits home. At Queen's Academy, she forms a circle of thoughtful friends and works hard, her rivalry with Gilbert Blythe losing its bitterness. As spring arrives, the students face looming exams, but Anne finds perspective in nature's beauty and the 'joy of the strife.'
Chapter 36
The Glory and the Dream
Anne learns she has won the Avery scholarship and returns home to Green Gables, where she notices Matthew's declining health and Marilla's eye troubles. The chapter celebrates her academic triumph while foreshadowing the sorrow that will soon touch her life.
Chapter 37
XXXVII: The Reaper Whose Name Is Death
Matthew Cuthbert dies suddenly of a heart attack after learning of the Abbey Bank's failure. Anne and Marilla are devastated, and the community gathers to mourn. Anne struggles with grief but gradually finds solace in nature, friendship, and memories. Marilla reveals her deep love for Anne, and the chapter ends with plans for Marilla's eye examination and reflections on the past.
Chapter 38
The Bend in the Road
Anne decides to give up her scholarship to Redmond College in order to stay at Green Gables and care for Marilla, whose eyesight is failing. She plans to teach at the Avonlea school after Gilbert Blythe selflessly withdraws his application in her favor. The chapter culminates in a reconciliation between Anne and Gilbert, who agree to become friends, and Anne finds contentment in her new path, embracing the unknown future with hope.
