The story in one page
Sixteen-year-old Anne Shirley officially becomes the schoolma’am of Avonlea, armed with idealistic theories about shaping young minds that are immediately tested by rowdy pupils and a wandering cow. At home, life shifts when Marilla adopts the mischievous Davy and the unnervingly perfect Dora, twins who bring both noise and caterpillars into the quiet rooms of Green Gables. Between organizing a village improvement society and making berry-picking excursions, Anne discovers a hidden stone house belonging to the whimsical Miss Lavendar. As Anne facilitates a long-delayed romance for her new friend, she begins to see her own childhood ending and a new, subtler kind of affection forming with Gilbert Blythe.
Who's who
- Anne Shirley
A sixteen-year-old teacher with auburn hair and high ideals.
- Marilla Cuthbert
The stern but kind guardian of Anne and the new twins.
- Davy Keith
A mischievous six-year-old who drops caterpillars down girls' necks.
- Miss Lavendar
A whimsical spinster living in a secluded, echo-filled stone house.
- Gilbert Blythe
Anne's former rival who now waits patiently for her affection.
- Paul Irving
Anne's most poetic student who helps reunite his father with Lavendar.
What it's really about
- The Transition to Adulthood
- The shift from childhood fantasies to the responsibilities of a career.
- Imagination vs. Reality
- Balancing 'rose-tinted ideals' with the practical demands of rural life.
Why it's memorable
- Davy dropping a furry caterpillar down a girl's neck during a solemn church prayer.
- Miss Lavendar's 'fairy wedding bells' echoing through the valley as she drives away.
The ending, explained
Spoilers — show the ending
After Miss Lavendar's wedding, Anne realizes her friendship with Gilbert is evolving into love as she prepares for college.
For your book club
- Is Anne's approach to teaching overly idealistic, or does her empathy make her more effective?
- How does the presence of the twins change the dynamic and emotional growth of Marilla?