# Anne’s History explained — Anne of Green Gables

> Chapter companion for Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery.

## What happens

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.

## Themes in this chapter

### Imagination and Creativity

Anne uses her imagination to cope with her harsh past, envisioning her parents' house and finding comfort in romantic thoughts.

### Belonging and Home

Anne's longing for a real home is central; she fears being sent back to the asylum, and Marilla begins to see Green Gables as a potential home for her.

### Identity and Self-Acceptance

Anne grapples with her red hair and her orphan status, while Marilla reflects on Anne's ladylike nature and possible good lineage.

## Character check-ins

### Anne Shirley

Reveals her tragic history and her imaginative resilience; expresses her love of poetry and romantic notions.

### Marilla Cuthbert

Listens to Anne's story, feels pity stirring in her heart, and begins to consider keeping Anne.

### Matthew Cuthbert

Mentioned as being set on keeping Anne, influencing Marilla's thoughts.

### Mrs. Thomas

Mentioned as the woman who took Anne in after her parents died and later could not keep her.

### Mrs. Hammond

Mentioned as the woman who took Anne to help with her eight children, including twins three times.

## Key lines

> My life is a perfect graveyard of buried hopes.

Anne describes her many disappointments as a graveyard of lost dreams.

_Anne uses a romantic metaphor to comfort herself, showing her imaginative coping mechanism._

> I don't want to get there. Somehow, it will seem like the end of everything.

Anne dreads arriving at White Sands, fearing it will mark the end of her hopes for a home.

_Highlights Anne's anxiety about being sent back to the asylum._

> Pity was suddenly stirring in her heart for the child.

Marilla begins to feel compassion for Anne's difficult past.

_Marks a turning point in Marilla's attitude toward keeping Anne._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/anne_of_green_gables_se/chapters/v-anne-s-history
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/anne_of_green_gables_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/anne_of_green_gables_se/chapters