Anne of Green Gables · Chapter
A New Interest in Life explained
Anne and Diana bid a dramatic farewell after Mrs.
What happens
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.
Themes in this chapter
Friendship and Community
Anne's deep bond with Diana is tested by Mrs. Barry's prohibition, yet they maintain their connection through secret notes and gifts.
Growth and Education
Anne channels her emotional turmoil into academic achievement, spurred by rivalry with Gilbert, and excels in most subjects.
Characters to notice
- Anne Shirley
Returns to school after the rift with Diana, channels her energy into academic rivalry with Gilbert.
- Diana Barry
Forbidden by her mother to play with Anne; secretly passes notes and gifts to Anne at school.
- Marilla Cuthbert
Conceals her delight at Anne's decision to return to school; offers unsympathetic but practical advice.
- Gilbert Blythe
Emerges as Anne's academic rival; good-naturedly competes with her for top marks.
- Ruby Gillis
Welcomes Anne back to school by smuggling plums to her during testament reading.
- Mr. Phillips
Anne's teacher; she gets on well with him after returning to school.
Key passages
“I'm going back to school. That is all there is left in life for me, now that my friend has been ruthlessly torn from me.”
Anne decides to return to school because she feels she has nothing else to live for after losing Diana's companionship.
Anne's dramatic declaration to Marilla about returning to school.
“In geometry Anne met her Waterloo.”
Anne struggled greatly with geometry, finding it impossible and lacking in imagination.
Narrator's description of Anne's difficulty with geometry.