Anne of Green Gables

Anne of Green Gables

by

L. M. Montgomery

Teachers and parents! Our Teacher Edition on Anne of Green Gables makes teaching easy.

Anne of Green Gables Characters

Anne Shirley

Anne Shirley, the protagonist, is an orphan girl with thick red hair, plentiful freckles, and big, expressive eyes. Anne was born in Nova Scotia to Walter and Bertha Shirley, who both died within… read analysis of Anne Shirley

Marilla Cuthbert

Marilla is a woman in her 50s who lives with her brother Matthew on the family homestead, Green Gables. She’s known for keeping a spotless home and being no-nonsense. Marilla is tall, thin, and rigid-looking… read analysis of Marilla Cuthbert

Matthew Cuthbert

Matthew is a shy man of 60 who seldom leaves Green Gables and hates having to talk, especially to women or girls. He is gangly with shoulder-length gray hair and a full beard. Matthew quickly… read analysis of Matthew Cuthbert

Diana Barry

Diana is an 11-year-old girl who lives at Orchard Slope, next door to Green Gables. She has a number of little sisters, although only Minnie May is named. Diana becomes Anne’s closest friend, or… read analysis of Diana Barry

Gilbert Blythe

Gilbert Blythe is Anne’s main rival at Avonlea school and her nemesis through much of the book. He is tall, curly-haired, and hazel-eyed. He’s infamous for teasing all the girls in school, and he… read analysis of Gilbert Blythe
Get the entire Anne of Green Gables LitChart as a printable PDF.
Anne of Green Gables PDF

Mrs. Rachel Lynde

Rachel Lynde lives next door to Green Gables. She is known for her excellent housewifery, being active in the church, and also for keeping a sharp watch on all of Avonlea’s comings and goings while… read analysis of Mrs. Rachel Lynde

Mrs. Allan

Mrs. Allan is married to the minister Mr. Allan. Mrs. Allan, a “kindred spirit,” is the most significant person in Anne’s religious upbringing. Anne is immediately drawn to her because she is pretty… read analysis of Mrs. Allan

Miss Muriel Stacy

Miss Stacy is the Avonlea schoolteacher who takes Mr. Phillips’s place and becomes Anne’s beloved mentor. She has a knack for bringing out the best in her students and introduces classroom innovations like… read analysis of Miss Muriel Stacy

Aunt Josephine Barry

Aunt Josephine is Diana’s father’s elderly, rich aunt, known to be very prim and proper. When Diana and Anne unknowingly leap into her guest room bed in the middle of the night, Aunt Josephine… read analysis of Aunt Josephine Barry
Minor Characters
Mrs. Alexander Spencer
Mrs. Spencer tells Marilla about the orphan asylum and, in a “providential” mistake, chooses Anne for the Cuthberts when she picks out her own little girl to adopt.
Jerry Buote
Jerry Buote is a little French boy who lives near Green Gables and works there as Matthew’s farmhand.
Walter Shirley
Walter is Anne’s father, husband of Bertha. He was a high school teacher in Nova Scotia and died when Anne was just a few months old.
Bertha Shirley
Bertha is Anne’s mother, wife of Walter. She taught high school before her marriage and died within a few months of having Anne.
Mrs. Thomas
Mrs. Thomas used to work as the Shirleys’ cleaning woman and took Anne home with her after Anne’s parents died. Anne lived with the Thomases until she was eight years old, caring for the four younger children.
Mrs. Hammond
Mrs. Hammond took in Anne when the Thomas family no longer wanted her. She had eight children, including three sets of twins, whom Anne was expected to help raise.
Mrs. Peter Blewett
Mrs. Blewett is a sharp-tongued, stingy woman with a temper who offers to take Anne in order to help care for her children; this prompts Marilla to accept Anne instead.
Mrs. Barry
Mrs. Barry is Diana’s mother. She is known to be very proper and strict with her children. When Anne accidentally gets Diana drunk, Mrs. Barry briefly forbids the girls’ friendship, but after Anne saves Minnie May Barry’s life, Mrs. Barry asks Anne’s forgiveness.
Mr. Bell
Mr. Bell is the Avonlea Sunday School superintendent.
Mr. Phillips
Mr. Phillips is the Avonlea schoolmaster during Anne’s first year there. He flirts with Prissy Andrews. He is a rather inept teacher who scapegoats Anne unfairly on a couple of occasions.
Prissy Andrews
Prissy is a sixteen-year-old student with whom Mr. Phillips flirts.
Charlie Sloane
Charlie is a classmate with a longstanding crush on Anne. After finishing school at Avonlea, he goes to Queen’s Academy, hoping to become a politician someday.
Jane Andrews
Jane is a sensible schoolmate and good friend of Anne. After finishing school at Avonlea, she goes to Queen’s Academy.
Ruby Gillis
Ruby is a classmate and friend of Anne’s. Ruby is a good student and she attends Queen’s, but she’s most interested in boys and hopes to get married someday.
Minnie May Barry
Minnie May is Diana’s little sister. When Minnie May gets very sick with the croup while the adults are away, Anne is the only one who knows how to save her life, leading Mrs. Barry to drop her grudge against Anne.
Mr. Allan
Mr. Allan is the young minister of the Presbyterian Church in Avonlea. Anne likes his interesting sermons and the sincerity of his prayers. He is very much in love with his wife Mrs. Allan.
Josie Pye
Josie is an unpleasant classmate whom Anne can’t stand. Josie dares Anne to walk across the Barrys’ roof, resulting in a broken ankle. She looks for every opportunity to insult Anne. She also attends Queen’s.
Mr. Barry
Mr. Barry is Diana’s father.
Moody Spurgeon MacPherson
He is an Avonlea classmate who attends Queen’s in hopes of becoming a minister someday (Moody and Spurgeon are the names of famous nineteenth century ministers).
Stella Maynard
Stella is Anne’s friend at Queen’s Academy. She is whimsical and filled with dreams like Anne.
Priscilla Grant
Priscilla is Anne’s friend at Queen’s Academy. She’s mischievous and fun-loving.
The doctor
A doctor who is extremely impressed by the way that Anne, though only just a girl herself, nurses Minnie May through the worst part of an attack of the croup.