Anne of Green Gables · Chapter
Matthew Insists on Puffed Sleeves explained
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.
What happens
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.
Themes in this chapter
Belonging and Home
Matthew's gift of a fashionable dress helps Anne feel accepted and less different from her peers, reinforcing her sense of belonging at Green Gables.
Identity and Self-Acceptance
Anne's longing for puffed sleeves reflects her desire to express her identity and be seen as equal to other girls, while Matthew's intervention affirms her worth.
Gender Roles and Expectations
Marilla's practical, no-frills approach to dressing Anne contrasts with societal expectations of femininity and fashion, highlighting differing views on raising girls.
Characters to notice
- Matthew Cuthbert
Notices Anne's plain clothing compared to other girls and secretly arranges for a new dress with puffed sleeves as a Christmas gift.
- Anne Shirley
Receives the longed-for dress with puffed sleeves and performs brilliantly at the Christmas concert.
- Marilla Cuthbert
Initially disapproves of the new dress as unnecessary and extravagant, but tolerates Matthew's gift.
- Mrs. Rachel Lynde
Sews the dress for Anne and privately criticizes Marilla's plain dressing of Anne.
- Diana Barry
Brings Anne a Christmas gift of kid slippers from her Aunt Josephine and attends the concert.
- Josie Pye
Enviously acknowledges Anne's success at the concert.
Key passages
“Anne was not dressed like the other girls! The more Matthew thought about the matter the more he was convinced that Anne never had been dressed like the other girls—never since she had come to Green Gables.”
Matthew realizes that Anne's clothing has always been plainer and more old-fashioned than that of her peers.
Highlights Matthew's growing awareness of Anne's social needs.
“Oh, how pretty it was—a lovely soft brown gloria with all the gloss of silk; a skirt with dainty frills and shirrings; a waist elaborately pin-tucked in the most fashionable way, with a little ruffle of filmy lace at the neck. But the sleeves—they were the crowning glory!”
Anne is thrilled by the beautiful brown silk-like dress with fashionable details, especially the puffed sleeves.
Shows Anne's deep appreciation for beauty and fashion.
“I'm so glad that puffed sleeves are still fashionable. It did seem to me that I'd never get over it if they went out before I had a dress with them.”
Anne expresses relief that puffed sleeves remain in style, as she had feared missing out on the trend.
Illustrates Anne's anxiety about fitting in with fashion.