Anne of the Island · Chapter
A June Evening explained
On a beautiful June evening, Anne finds Davy Keith discouraged by his schoolwork and comforts him.
What happens
On a beautiful June evening, Anne finds Davy Keith discouraged by his schoolwork and comforts him. The conversation turns to the recent funeral of Aunt Atossa and then to Diana's upcoming wedding, which stirs in Anne a mix of joy and sadness about growing up and change. Marilla and Mrs. Lynde are disappointed that Anne refused Gilbert Blythe, though gossip suggests she has a new wealthy suitor at college. Anne reflects on her feelings for Roy and her lost closeness with Gilbert, and mourns the inevitable changes that come with adulthood.
Themes in this chapter
Change and Loss
Anne mourns the end of her close companionship with Diana as marriage approaches, and reflects on the inevitability of growing up and change.
Love and Marriage
The chapter centers on Diana's wedding preparations and the community's gossip about Anne's romantic prospects, including her refusal of Gilbert and her relationship with Roy.
Characters to notice
- Anne Shirley
Reflects on the beauty of June, comforts Davy, and feels a heartache over Diana's wedding and the changes it brings.
- Davy Keith
Complains about his teacher and arithmetic homework; brightens when Anne offers to help.
- Marilla Cuthbert
Sits with Mrs. Lynde, is disappointed about Anne refusing Gilbert, and speaks bitterly about it.
- Mrs. Rachel Lynde
Discusses the funeral and Diana's wedding, and expresses her concerns about Anne's romantic choices.
- Diana Barry
Mentioned as being about to marry Fred Wright; her wedding is a central topic of the chapter.
Key passages
“I wonder what it would be like to live in a world where it was always June”
Anne muses on the idea of perpetual June weather.
Opens the chapter with Anne's romantic appreciation of the season.
“It seems to me a most dreadful thing to go out of the world and not leave one person behind you who is sorry you are gone”
Anne finds it terrible to die without anyone mourning you.
Reflects Anne's sensitivity and her view on the importance of being loved.
“how horrible it is that people have to grow up—and marry—and change !”
Anne laments the necessity of growing up, marrying, and changing.
Captures the chapter's central theme of loss and the pain of inevitable change.