Gilbert Blythe Character Analysis in Anne of Green Gables

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 develops a crush on Anne from the very first. Unfortunately, he gets on her bad side immediately by teasing her about her red hair in front of the entire school. Anne retaliates by smashing her slate over his head. Though Gilbert apologizes, Anne vows never to forgive him. She remains stubbornly resentful even after Gilbert rescues her from being stranded on Barrys’ pond (though she starts to soften at this point). Gilbert and Anne are academic rivals throughout their years at Avonlea school and then at Queen’s. Gilbert wins the gold medal for the top grades at Queen’s. Since he can’t afford further schooling, Gilbert decides to teach at Avonlea school for a year. However, when he hears about Anne’s decision to remain in Avonlea, he gives up the position for her sake. At the end of the book, Gilbert and Anne reconcile and warmly agree to be friends.

Gilbert Blythe Quotes in Anne of Green Gables

The Anne of Green Gables quotes below are all either spoken by Gilbert Blythe or refer to Gilbert Blythe. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:

For a moment Anne hesitated. She had an odd, newly awakened consciousness under all her outraged dignity that the half-shy, half-eager expression in Gilbert's hazel eyes was something that was very good to see. Her heart gave a quick, unfamiliar little beat. But the bitterness of her old grievance promptly stiffened up her wavering determination. That scene of two years before flashed back into her recollection as vividly as if it had taken place yesterday.

Related Characters: Anne Shirley, Gilbert Blythe

Related Symbols: Red Hair

Page Number and Citation: 279

Explanation and Analysis:

This passage describes one of the few hints of future romance between Anne and Gilbert Blythe. More significant is the fact that Anne shows any softening at all toward her avowed enemy. Anne has gotten herself stranded on the bridge on Barrys’ pond while acting out a scene from a Tennyson poem with her friends. Gilbert happens to row by and rescue her, and he takes the opportunity to apologize for teasing Anne about her hair two years ago and to offer friendship. Anne, 13 at this point, notices something different about Gilbert’s expression and finds it intriguing, even attractive, Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusantium est. Mollitia eaque ipsa. Perfer

Gilbert Blythe Character Timeline in Anne of Green Gables

The timeline below shows where the character Gilbert Blythe appears in Anne of Green Gables. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

One September morning, Diana tells Anne that Gilbert Blythe, a handsome boy who teases all the girls, is back from a summer in... (full context)

Diana warns Anne that Gilbert will be joining her class—though he’s nearly 14, he spent a few years in Alberta... (full context)

Mishaps, Milestones, and Growing Up Theme Icon

...is preoccupied with Prissy Andrews, the rest of the students are doing what they like. Gilbert is trying to get Anne’s attention, but she stares out the window, lost in daydreams.... (full context)

The entire school watches with shock and delight as Mr. Phillips demands an explanation. Gilbert speaks up to take the blame for teasing Anne, but Mr. Phillips ignores him. He... (full context)

...crowd of boys, Mr. Phillips picks her as a scapegoat and makes her sit with Gilbert Blythe for the rest of the day, since she’s “so fond of the boys’ company.”... (full context)

...does her chores, and plays with Diana after school. She continues to hate and ignore Gilbert. (full context)

When Diana mentions Gilbert Blythe, Anne changes the subject by suggesting they go inside and have some raspberry cordial.... (full context)

...thrive. She gets along better with Mr. Phillips and, motivated by the desire to beat Gilbert Blythe, throws herself into her studies. A rivalry develops. Though Gilbert sees the rivalry as... (full context)

By the end of the term, both Anne and Gilbert are promoted into the next class, and Anne begins struggling with geometry, lamenting to Marilla... (full context)

...easily thrilled audience member. She delights in the poetry recitations, songs, and sketches. But when Gilbert Blythe recites “Bingen on the Rhine,” Anne pointedly reads a library book instead, and refuses... (full context)

...she knew she had to live up to her puffed sleeves. Diana tells her that Gilbert picked up a rose that had fallen out of Anne’s hair onstage, but Anne says... (full context)

...is running away with her and she fears her fate, someone rows underneath the bridge—it’s Gilbert Blythe. Amazed, he pulls his boat against the pilings and helps her down. Anne is... (full context)

Before she can scramble out, Gilbert touches Anne’s arm. He asks if they can be friends—he didn’t mean to upset her... (full context)

...Anne meets the rest of the girls and explains how she was rescued. They think Gilbert’s rescue was “romantic,” but Anne never wants to hear that word again. That night (after... (full context)

Soon the Queen’s class is organized, including Anne, Gilbert, Ruby Gillis, Jane Andrews, Josie Pye, Charlie Sloane, and Moody Spurgeon MacPherson. Diana’s parents don’t... (full context)

...minister, and Charlie wants to go into politics. But Anne doesn’t know or care what Gilbert’s goals are. They’re locked in a rivalry for the first place in their class. Ever... (full context)

...list. Diana knows Anne means that she will feel like a failure unless she beats Gilbert in the rankings. Everyone in Avonlea wonders which of the two will triumph. But Anne... (full context)

...faint and unable to move. Diana bursts into her room and announces that Anne and Gilbert tied for first place on the whole Island. Anne hadn’t dared to hope for that... (full context)

...always attended by friendly neighbors. She stands paralyzed for a few moments, until she spots Gilbert Blythe smiling near the back. Anne thinks he looks taunting, but he’s really just admiring... (full context)

...hand, is filled with the busy excitement of learning her way around the Academy. Like Gilbert Blythe, she’ll be starting Second Year work, an accelerated course for the teacher’s license. As... (full context)

...and they walk home as a merry group in the autumn evenings. Anne notices that Gilbert walks Ruby Gillis home and carries her bag for her. She can’t help thinking it... (full context)

...mischievous girl). After Christmas, however, everyone at Queen’s has to buckle down to work. Anne, Gilbert, and a boy named Lewis Wilson are acknowledged as the front-runners for the Queen’s medal.... (full context)

...while she hides in the girls’ dressing room. But as they approach Queen’s, they see Gilbert being hoisted on his friends’ shoulders while they shout, “Hurrah for Blythe, Medallist!” No sooner... (full context)

...enjoy three months of vacation before starting college at Redmond in September. Jane, Ruby, and Gilbert are going to be schoolteachers. Gilbert can’t afford additional college, so he’ll likely teach at... (full context)

As they talk about the plans of several of Anne’s friends, the conversation drifts to Gilbert Blythe, and Marilla tells Anne that she once dated Gilbert’s father John. It all ended... (full context)

...Anne the happy news that Anne is being offered the job at Avonlea school. When Gilbert heard about Anne’s situation, he withdrew his application and took a job at White Sands... (full context)

...Matthew’s grave, Anne drinks in the beauty of Avonlea. As she passes the Blythe homestead, Gilbert comes out of the gate and abruptly stops whistling when he sees Anne. He is... (full context)

Gilbert Blythe Character Analysis

Gilbert Blythe Quotes in Anne of Green Gables

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Gilbert Blythe Character Timeline in Anne of Green Gables