Anne of Green Gables · Chapter
Matthew Cuthbert Is Surprised explained
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.
What happens
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.
Themes in this chapter
Imagination and Creativity
Anne's vivid imagination is central to the chapter, as she describes sleeping in a wild cherry tree, imagining marble halls, and creating stories about other orphans.
Belonging and Home
Anne's longing for a home and to belong to someone is a key theme, culminating in her emotional recognition of Green Gables as home.
Identity and Self-Acceptance
Anne's self-awareness about her thinness and her imaginative compensations reflect her struggle with self-image and acceptance.
Characters to notice
- Matthew Cuthbert
Shy and awkward, Matthew dreads interacting with women and is flustered by the mistake at the station. He feels a protective sympathy for Anne and decides to let Marilla handle the situation.
- Anne Shirley
An imaginative and talkative orphan girl of about eleven, with red hair and freckles. She eagerly anticipates her new home and expresses her love for beauty and imagination.
- Marilla Cuthbert
Mentioned as the one Matthew wishes were present to handle the situation; she is expected to break the news to Anne about the mistake.
- Mrs. Rachel Lynde
Briefly mentioned as one of the few women Matthew does not dread, and as a neighbor who sees them pass by.
- Mrs. Alexander Spencer
Mentioned as the person who brought Anne from Nova Scotia and gave her into the stationmaster's charge.
Key passages
“I suppose you are Mr. Matthew Cuthbert of Green Gables? I'm very glad to see you. I was beginning to be afraid you weren't coming for me and I was imagining all the things that might have happened to prevent you.”
Anne greets Matthew and expresses her relief, admitting she had been worrying and imagining reasons for his delay.
Shows Anne's imaginative nature and her eagerness to be welcomed.
“Oh, it seems so wonderful that I'm going to live with you and belong to you. I've never belonged to anybody—not really.”
Anne joyfully expresses her excitement about finally having a home and people to belong to.
Highlights the theme of belonging and home.
“But just as soon as I saw it I felt it was home. Oh, it seems as if I must be in a dream.”
Upon seeing Green Gables, Anne immediately feels a sense of home, as if in a dream.
Emphasizes the emotional connection Anne feels to the place.