Matthew Cuthbert Character Analysis in Anne of Green Gables

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 warms to Anne and argues that the Cuthberts could be of help to her. In contrast to Marilla’s reserve and strictness, Matthew is gentle, encouraging, and sometimes indulgent of Anne. Not wanting Anne to feel lonely or left out, he urges Marilla to allow her to do things like attend evening concerts, and he even buys her the dress with puffed sleeves that Anne’s always wanted. In his last conversation with Anne, Matthew tells her that adopting Anne was better than getting a dozen boys. The next day, he dies suddenly of a heart attack.

Matthew Cuthbert Quotes in Anne of Green Gables

The Anne of Green Gables quotes below are all either spoken by Matthew Cuthbert or refer to Matthew Cuthbert. 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:

[…] [A] discerning extraordinary observer might have concluded that no commonplace soul inhabited the body of this stray woman-child of whom shy Matthew Cuthbert was so ludicrously afraid.

[…]

“I suppose you are Mr. Matthew Cuthbert of Green Gables?” she said in a peculiarly clear, sweet voice. “I’m very glad to see you. I was beginning to be afraid you weren’t coming for me and I was imagining all the things that might have happened to prevent you. I had made up my mind that if you didn’t come for me tonight I’d go down the track to that big wild cherry tree at the bend, and climb up into it to stay all night.”

Related Characters: Anne Shirley (speaker), Matthew Cuthbert

Page Number and Citation: 15

Explanation and Analysis:

This quote introduces Anne’s character as Matthew meets her at the train station for the first time. In particular, it shows how Anne’s imagination helps her cope with new or strange situations in life—something she’s had plenty of opportunity to practice as an orphan transferred from one temporary home to another. Here, she imagines scenarios that might have delayed Matthew’s arrival, and then she imagines a whimsical solution in case she does find herself abandoned for the night. Though the content of Anne’s imaginings is often fanciful, her schemes—like sleeping in a cherry tree—also hint at the tragedy in Anne’s 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. Nost

“Matthew Cuthbert, you don’t mean to say you think we ought to keep her!”

Marilla’s astonishment could not have been greater if Matthew had expressed a predilection for standing on his head.

“Well now, no, I suppose not—not exactly,” stammered Matthew, uncomfortably driven into a corner for his precise meaning. “I suppose—we could hardly be expected to keep her.”

“I should say not. What good would she be to us?”

“We might be some good to her,” said Matthew suddenly and unexpectedly.

Related Characters: Marilla Cuthbert (speaker), Matthew Cuthbert (speaker), Anne Shirley

Page Number and Citation: 36

Explanation and Analysis:

The night Anne first arrives at Green Gables, Matthew, always shy of conflict, avoids telling Anne that he and Marilla weren’t looking for a girl. After Anne learns the news from Marilla and tearfully goes to bed, Matthew is reluctant to concede that Anne must be returned to the orphanage. In a typically roundabout way, he argues against giving Anne back. Matthew admits that keeping her doesn’t make much sense on the surface, yet he finally comes to his point in a few forthright words: that even if it’s not clear that Anne would be much “good” to them, they 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. Perferendis consectetur et. Dicta impedit ut. Ducimus possimus quo. Non inventore in. Eligendi atque placeat. M

Pity was suddenly stirring in her heart for the child. What a starved, unloved life she had had—a life of drudgery and poverty and neglect; for Marilla was shrewd enough to read between the lines of Anne’s history and divine the truth. No wonder she had been so delighted at the prospect of a real home. It was a pity she had to be sent back.

What if she, Marilla, should indulge Matthew's unaccountable whim and let her stay?

Related Characters: Anne Shirley, Marilla Cuthbert, Matthew Cuthbert

Page Number and Citation: 52

Explanation and Analysis:

This quote shows a key development in Marilla’s character. On the way to White Sands to see Mrs. Spencer about the orphanage mix-up (at which point Marilla was still inclined to send Anne back), she asks to hear about Anne’s past. As Anne talks about her life as an orphan living with the Thomas and Hammond families and caring for their many children, Marilla “[reads] between the lines” to discern that Anne has never really been cared for herself. Though Marilla herself had been looking for household help, she begins to think of Anne less as a household asset and 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 so

“It’d be more to the point if you could say she was a useful little thing,” retorted Marilla, “but I’ll make it my business to see she’s trained to be that. And mind, Matthew, you're not to go interfering with my methods. Perhaps an old maid doesn't know much about bringing up a child, but I guess she knows more than an old bachelor[.]”

“There, there, Marilla, you can have your own way,” said Matthew reassuringly. “Only be as good and kind to her as you can be without spoiling her. I kind of think she’s one of the sort you can do anything with, if you only get her to love you.”

Related Characters: Marilla Cuthbert (speaker), Matthew Cuthbert (speaker), Anne Shirley

Page Number and Citation: 61

Explanation and Analysis:

When Marilla makes up her mind to keep Anne, Matthew is delighted, calling Anne “an interesting little thing.” Marilla’s response—that she’d prefer Anne be useful—shows that even though she’s softened toward Anne, she’s still thinking of Anne in terms of what she is bringing to the household, and that “interesting” isn’t practical enough. Matthew, on the other hand, has had a different perspective on Anne from the beginning. Instead of focusing on what Anne can do for them, he senses that Anne needs something from them that she hasn’t received elsewhere—namely love. Matthew’s comment that Anne is “of the sort 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 vol

“I’ve learned a new and valuable lesson today. Ever since I came to Green Gables I’ve been making mistakes, and each mistake has helped to cure me of some great shortcoming […] And today’s mistake is going to cure me of being too romantic. I have come to the conclusion that it is no use trying to be romantic in Avonlea. It was probably easy enough in towered Camelot hundreds of years ago, but romance is not appreciated now.”

[…]

“Don’t give up all your romance, Anne,” [Matthew] whispered shyly, “a little of it is a good thing—not too much, of course—but keep a little of it, Anne, keep a little of it.”

Related Characters: Anne Shirley (speaker), Matthew Cuthbert (speaker)

Page Number and Citation: 281

Explanation and Analysis:

After the mishap on Barrys’ pond, Anne decides she is done with romance for good. Each of her catastrophes has taught her a lesson, she believes, and nearly drowning while reenacting a Tennyson poem has taught her not to indulge her imagination too much. In particular, she shouldn’t think about “romance” so much—by which Anne refers broadly to imaginative, often fantastical scenes that wouldn’t happen in reality (like sailing dramatically across the pond in a leaky rowboat). However, Matthew gently encourages Anne not to abandon this part of herself completely. This also suggests that while a person is growing up, 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 nec

Anne sat down on Marilla’s gingham lap, took Marilla’s lined face between her hands, and looked gravely and tenderly into Marilla’s eyes. “I’m not a bit changed—not really. I’m only just pruned down and branched out. The real me—back here—is just the same. It won’t make a bit of difference where I go or how much I change outwardly. At heart I shall always be your little Anne, who will love you and Matthew and dear Green Gables more and better every day of her life.” […]

[Marilla] could only put her arms close about her girl and hold her tenderly to her heart, wishing that she need never let her go.

Related Characters: Anne Shirley (speaker), Marilla Cuthbert, Matthew Cuthbert

Page Number and Citation: 343

Explanation and Analysis:

After about five years at Green Gables, Anne is preparing to leave soon to study at Queen’s Academy. At one point, Marilla uncharacteristically breaks down in tears at the memory of 11-year-old Anne. Anne comforts Marilla with the promise that no matter how much she grows and changes outwardly, she’ll still be that same “little Anne.” Whether it’s true that Anne has merely “pruned down and branched out,” or whether in fact she’s changed in more substantial ways that aren’t obvious to her, the most important thing in Anne’s mind is that she’s still “Anne of Green Gables” and will 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

“Well now, I guess she ain’t been much spoiled,” he muttered proudly. “I guess my putting in my oar occasional never did much harm after all. She’s smart and pretty, and loving, too, which is better than all the rest. She’s been a blessing to us, and there never was a luckier mistake than what Mrs. Spencer made—if it was luck. I don’t believe it was any such thing. It was Providence, because the Almighty saw we needed her, I reckon.”

Related Characters: Matthew Cuthbert (speaker), Anne Shirley, Marilla Cuthbert, Mrs. Alexander Spencer

Page Number and Citation: 343

Explanation and Analysis:

Before Anne goes to Queen’s, Matthew, too, has an emotional moment. Marilla has tried to monopolize Anne’s “bringing up,” warning Matthew against “putting in his oar” by interfering and likely spoiling Anne. Ironically, even Matthew’s more indulgent interferences, like buying Anne a dress with puffed sleeves and offering her unrestrained praise and encouragement, are more helpful to Anne in some ways than Marilla’s stricter methods. More readily than Marilla, Matthew has always understood how much Anne simply craved love and affection. That’s why Matthew argued for keeping Anne in the first place, and now, as Anne is getting ready to 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 a

“If I had been the boy you sent for,” said Anne wistfully, “I’d be able to help you so much now and spare you in a hundred ways. I could find it in my heart to wish I had been, just for that.”

“Well now, I’d rather have you than a dozen boys, Anne,” said Matthew, patting her hand. “Just mind you that—rather than a dozen boys. Well now, I guess it wasn't a boy that took the Avery scholarship, was it? It was a girl—my girl—my girl that I’m proud of.”

Related Characters: Anne Shirley (speaker), Matthew Cuthbert (speaker)

Page Number and Citation: 363

Explanation and Analysis:

This quote is Anne and Matthew’s last conversation before Matthew’s sudden death of a heart attack. Home from Queen’s, Anne notices how tired Matthew is from the farm work at Green Gables and regrets that she wasn’t the boy they’d originally sent for, able to spare Matthew over the years. In his shy, awkward way, Matthew assures Anne that she is exactly what he needed after all. A boy might have been able to labor on the farm, but he wouldn’t have been Anne, the amazing person Matthew has loved and been proud of all these years. Though it didn’t 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 necessit

Matthew Cuthbert Character Timeline in Anne of Green Gables

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

...goings. One afternoon in early June, she is sitting by her window when she sees Matthew Cuthbert driving his buggy through the hollow, dressed in his best outfit. Matthew is such... (full context)

...road and surrounded by orchards where the Cuthberts live. Mrs. Rachel thinks it’s no wonder Matthew and Marilla are thought to be a bit strange, living in this isolated house among... (full context)

...have always been friends. Mrs. Rachel sits down and gets straight to the point—where is Matthew off to? Marilla knew Rachel would show up with questions. Matthew, she explains, has gone... (full context)

Mrs. Rachel is briefly dumbstruck, but Marilla is serious. Rachel doesn’t approve of Matthew and Marilla adopting a boy—especially without asking her advice. Marilla explains that Mrs. Alexander Spencer... (full context)

Matthew, an awkward man with shoulder-length gray hair and a full beard, drives his buggy to... (full context)

...dress. She wears thick red braids down her back and has big, expressive eyes. As Matthew hesitantly approaches, the girl jumps up and asks if he’s Matthew Cuthbert. She explains that... (full context)

...the asylum were worst of all: there was no “scope for the imagination” there. As Matthew drives the buggy away from the station, the girl breaks some blossoms off a tree... (full context)

The girl asks Matthew what makes Prince Edward Island’s roads red, and since he doesn’t know the answer, she... (full context)

After Matthew tells her some details about Green Gables, the girl says she feels nearly perfectly happy.... (full context)

...through which the sunset is visible. She falls silent for about three miles, then tells Matthew that it was the first thing she’s ever seen that couldn’t be improved by her... (full context)

...correctly picks out the farmstead nestled among the orchards and woods off in the distance. Matthew is delighted. She explains that Mrs. Spencer hadn’t described the house, but that she just... (full context)

When Marilla sees that Matthew has brought in a strange girl with red hair, she’s baffled. The girl listens silently... (full context)

Marilla returns to the kitchen, where she finds Matthew thoughtfully smoking his pipe. She says she plans to see Mrs. Spencer tomorrow and figure... (full context)

...to seem like people. Marilla has to admit to herself that Anne is interesting, as Matthew says—she seems to be “casting a spell” over them both. (full context)

That afternoon Matthew hitches the mare into the buggy so that Marilla can see Mrs. Spencer at White... (full context)

...life has been filled with neglect and that she’s been starved of love. What if Matthew were right? After all, Anne isn’t rude or disrespectful, and she could be trained to... (full context)

...take Anne home. But Marilla looks at Anne’s helpless face and says that she and Matthew will have to discuss the matter further. (full context)

Later, back at Green Gables, Matthew and Marilla discuss Anne while milking the cows. Marilla has no idea how to raise... (full context)

Downstairs, Marilla staunchly informs Matthew that it’s time Anne was taught something—she’s practically a “heathen.” Tomorrow, she’s sending Anne to... (full context)

Mishaps, Milestones, and Growing Up Theme Icon

...she’s doing. After Anne washes the dinner dishes, Marilla finally breaks the news: she and Matthew have decided to keep her, as long as tries to be good. Anne immediately bursts... (full context)

...weeks becoming intimately familiar with Green Gables’ orchards, hollows, and woods and happily talking to Matthew and Marilla about her discoveries—prompting smiles from Matthew and occasional scolding from Marilla, who secretly... (full context)

The next morning Marilla tells Matthew what happened, and he thinks it’s a good thing that Mrs. Rachel “got a calling... (full context)

Anne says she could apologize to please Matthew. What’s more, she does feel a little sorry—her anger dissipated overnight, and she feels ashamed... (full context)

When they get home, they discover that Matthew has bought Anne chocolates. Anne happily plans to share half with Diana. Though Marilla grumbles... (full context)

...Marilla sternly summons Anne inside—she played with Diana too long, and now she’s chatting with Matthew instead of doing her sewing. Anne bursts indoors with the news that there’s going to... (full context)

The next morning, Marilla tells Matthew that she’s searched everywhere for the brooch, and that since Anne continues to deny having... (full context)

...tears and spends the morning fiercely scrubbing the house. After dinner—when Marilla is irked that Matthew thinks she’s being too hard on Anne—she goes up to her room to look for... (full context)

...a boat ride on the lake, and the indescribable ice cream. That night Marilla tells Matthew the whole story about the brooch. She admits that she’s learned a lesson from the... (full context)

...an Aid Society meeting in a nearby town. Anne will have to get supper for Matthew and Jerry the farmhand. In the meantime, she’s allowed to invite Diana over for afternoon... (full context)

...like “intoxicate.” That night, Marilla has a good laugh while telling the whole story to Matthew, but when she checks on Anne in her bedroom, she can’t help but kiss the... (full context)

...rally can take place without her, so she goes also, taking Marilla along. Anne and Matthew will be alone at Green Gables overnight. While Matthew dozes over a newspaper, Anne struggles... (full context)

Anne distracts herself by chatting with Matthew. They talk about politics—Matthew votes Conservative so Anne decides she’s Conservative, too. It’s a good... (full context)

...sick with the croup, the babysitter is helpless, and Diana doesn’t know what to do. Matthew immediately goes outside to harness the mare and search for a doctor. Anne cheerfully bundles... (full context)

...She forces down many doses of ipecac, and, by three o’clock in the morning when Matthew arrives with a doctor, Minnie May is sleeping calmly. Anne tells them both that she’d... (full context)

...speech. But her arguments are to no avail, and she goes to bed in tears. Matthew, who appeared to be asleep during the whole exchange, says that Anne ought to be... (full context)

The next morning, on his way to the barn, Matthew again tells Marilla that he thinks Anne should be allowed to go. Marilla seethes for... (full context)

...and Marilla says Anne’s housework was helpful enough today, although it wasn’t necessary to starch Matthew’s handkerchiefs or burn the pie to a crisp. Anne is sorry—she’d meant to stay focused... (full context)

...and roses, and she is ecstatic when she sees Mrs. Allan’s approving smile. Even shy Matthew, gently coaxed by Anne, comes to the table and talks with the minister. (full context)

...for connecting with her students and encouraging them; Anne blossoms especially. She tells Marilla and Matthew that she can just feel that Miss Stacy is calling her “Anne with an E.”... (full context)

...two recitations. Marilla quickly tires of hearing Anne talk about nothing but the recital, but Matthew warmly encourages her. He’s thankful that Marilla is in charge of Anne’s upbringing, leaving him... (full context)

One December evening, Matthew is taking off his boots in the kitchen when he hears Anne and her friends... (full context)

The next day Matthew goes to Carmody to buy a dress, visiting Samuel Lawson’s store instead of William Blair’s,... (full context)

Matthew finally decides he must rely on a woman’s help, and since Marilla would never agree,... (full context)

...she doesn’t resist. Anne wakes up to a snowy Christmas morning and runs downstairs joyfully. Matthew greets her with the dress, and Anne gazes at it in stunned silence—the soft brown... (full context)

That night, after Anne has gone to bed, Matthew and Marilla talk about the concert (their first such outing in 20 years). Marilla admits... (full context)

...her of a particular shortcoming. Today’s has cured her of romance. Marilla hopes so, but Matthew gently encourages her to “keep a little of it.” (full context)

...wear her new coat to town—Marilla always lets her dress fashionably these days, so that Matthew won’t go behind her back about it. (full context)

...Anne and admits she’s been lonely for the past four days. Anne tells Marilla and Matthew all about the trip and says it “marks an epoch in my life.” But coming... (full context)

...would be too expensive. Marilla says she doesn’t need to worry about that; she and Matthew have been setting aside money for her education. Marilla believes that a girl should be... (full context)

The next day Mrs. Lynde drops by. Marilla has been anxious about Matthew’s more frequent bad spells with his heart. It seems that he works too hard. As... (full context)

...one chance to do it well, but she is glad to have people like Marilla, Matthew, Mrs. Allan, and Miss Stacy to help her. (full context)

...loves this growing girl, yet also feels a sense of loss. One winter night, to Matthew’s astonishment, she weeps as she thinks of Anne growing up and going away. She’s noticed... (full context)

...of the two will triumph. But Anne also wants to distinguish herself for Marilla and Matthew’s sake. (full context)

...Island. Anne hadn’t dared to hope for that result, and she immediately runs to show Matthew. Matthew isn’t surprised, and Marilla says, with an effort at restraint, that Anne has done... (full context)

Marilla gives grudging approval to Anne’s look, though she thinks organdy is “unserviceable”—Matthew just buys anything pretty for Anne nowadays, no matter what Marilla advises. Anne says she’s... (full context)

The next three weeks are spent making arrangements for Queen’s. Matthew has made sure Anne will be well outfitted, and Marilla doesn’t protest. She even plans... (full context)

One September morning, Matthew drives Anne to Charlottetown. Though Anne’s and Marilla’s farewell was calm and practical on Marilla’s... (full context)

Marilla and Matthew attend Commencement to see Anne honored and hear her read her prizewinning essay. Matthew asks... (full context)

The next morning at breakfast, Matthew looks a bit gray. Marilla tells Anne that Matthew has had bad spells with his... (full context)

...carefree day revisiting all her favorite spots around Green Gables. That evening, as she and Matthew bring the cows in, Anne tells him he’s working too hard. Anne says if only... (full context)

...Anne comes through the hall with an armful of flowers, hearing Marilla speaking anxiously to Matthew. When she reaches the door, she sees Matthew, gray-faced, with a newspaper in his hand.... (full context)

The doctor determines that Matthew probably died painlessly from some great shock. The source of the shock is found to... (full context)

Finally, in the middle of the night, Anne wakes up remembering Matthew’s last words to her—“My girl that I’m proud of”—and cries at last. Marilla comes in... (full context)

After Matthew’s funeral, life in Avonlea and Green Gables begins to go back to normal. At first,... (full context)

On her way home from a lingering visit to Matthew’s grave, Anne drinks in the beauty of Avonlea. As she passes the Blythe homestead, Gilbert... (full context)

Matthew Cuthbert Character Analysis

Matthew Cuthbert Quotes in Anne of Green Gables

Chapter 2: Matthew Cuthbert Is Surprised Quotes

Chapter 3: Marilla Cuthbert Is Surprised Quotes

Chapter 5: Anne’s History Quotes

Chapter 6: Marilla Makes Up Her Mind Quotes

Chapter 28: An Unfortunate Lily Maid Quotes

Chapter 34: A Queen’s Girl Quotes

Chapter 36: The Glory and the Dream Quotes

Matthew Cuthbert Character Timeline in Anne of Green Gables