Anne of Green Gables

Plot Summary

Anne Shirley, an eleven year old orphan, arrives at the Green Gables farm in Avonlea, Prince Edward Island. Elderly siblings Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert had requested a boy from the orphanage to help with farm work, but a misunderstanding delivers the talkative, red haired girl instead. While stern Marilla initially intends to send Anne back, she and her shy brother Matthew are gradually charmed by the child's vivid imagination and earnest nature, and decide to let her stay. The novel chronicles Anne's adventures as she settles into her first real home, finding friendship, facing rivalry, and experiencing the trials of growing up.

Anne's life in Avonlea is filled with both joy and mishap. She becomes bosom friends with her neighbour Diana Barry, but incurs the wrath of Diana's mother after accidentally serving her currant wine instead of raspberry cordial. At school, she instantly despises handsome classmate Gilbert Blythe after he teases her about her red hair, sparking a years long rivalry. Anne's dramatic flair leads to several scrapes, such as dyeing her hair green in a botched attempt to change its colour. Despite these misadventures, she excels academically, eventually earning a teaching license and a scholarship for further study.

The story concludes with a sudden tragedy. Matthew dies of a heart attack after learning the family's savings were lost in a bank failure. Out of devotion to Marilla, whose eyesight is failing, Anne gives up her scholarship to stay at Green Gables and teach at a nearby school. In a crucial act of kindness, Gilbert Blythe gives up his teaching post in Avonlea so that Anne can secure the position and remain close to home. This gesture finally cements their friendship, leaving Anne to look forward to the future with a blend of sorrow and hope.

Creation and Inspiration

Lucy Maud Montgomery wrote Anne of Green Gables in 1905 while living with her grandmother in Cavendish, Prince Edward Island. The core idea was inspired by a newspaper story she had read about an English couple who arranged to adopt a boy but were mistakenly sent a girl. Montgomery also drew deeply from her own childhood experiences in rural Prince Edward Island, which formed the basis for the book's setting and community life. She was influenced by classic children's literature such as Little Women and Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.

Montgomery developed her famous heroine by playing with popular literary conventions of the time, which often featured orphans named Ann. She distinguished her character by adding an 'e' to the name. For Anne's appearance, Montgomery used a photograph of American model Evelyn Nesbit, which she kept on her bedroom wall as a reminder of youthful idealism. Other characters were based in part on people Montgomery knew, with Gilbert Blythe being a composite of several individuals. After the manuscript was rejected by several publishers, Montgomery stored it in a hat box before successfully submitting it to L.C. Page of Boston in 1907.

Publication and Initial Reception

Anne of Green Gables was published on June 13, 1908, and was an immediate commercial success. It sold more than 19,000 copies in its first five months and was reprinted ten times within the first year. Critical reception was mixed initially. A 1908 review in The New York Times Book Review was scathing, criticizing Anne's precocious dialogue. However, the book quickly found champions, including American author Mark Twain, who called Anne the dearest and most moving child since the immortal Alice, and Canadian poet Bliss Carman.

The novel's popularity grew rapidly, establishing Montgomery as a household name in the English speaking world by the end of the First World War. Its universal appeal was soon demonstrated through international translations. By 1925, it had been published in Swedish, Dutch, Polish, Norwegian, Finnish and French. The original printing plates wore out from overuse, requiring replacement. The book has remained continuously in print for over a century, demonstrating its lasting resonance.

Characters

The heart of the novel is the Green Gables household. Anne Shirley is the imaginative, talkative, and sensitive orphan who longs for a place to belong. Marilla Cuthbert, Matthew's sister, is initially austere but possesses a dry humour and grows to love Anne deeply. Matthew Cuthbert is a shy, kind man who forms an instant, unconditional bond with Anne, often indulging her with gifts and affection. Anne's world in Avonlea is populated by a memorable cast, including her loyal best friend Diana Barry and her rival turned friend Gilbert Blythe.

Other important friends include pretty but boy crazy Ruby Gillis and sensible Jane Andrews. Notable adults include the busybody neighbour Mrs Rachel Lynde, the inspiring teacher Miss Muriel Stacy, and Diana's wealthy, initially severe great aunt, Miss Josephine Barry. The novel also details Anne's difficult early life through characters like the Hammonds and the Thomases, the families she lived with before coming to Green Gables. Her biological parents, Bertha and Walter Shirley, were young schoolteachers who died of fever when Anne was an infant.

Global and Cultural Impact

Anne of Green Gables has achieved remarkable popularity in specific international markets, most notably Japan and Poland. In Japan, where it is known as Akage no An (Red Haired Anne), the novel has been part of the national school curriculum since 1952. Anne is revered as an icon, inspiring tourism to Prince Edward Island where Japanese couples sometimes hold wedding ceremonies at the grounds of the Green Gables farm. Some Japanese tourists arrive with red-dyed hair styled in pigtails to look like Anne, and a replica of the farmhouse was built in the Canadian World theme park in Hokkaido.

In Poland, the book was published in seven editions between the world wars and was voted the fourth most popular book in a 1932 poll. Its resonance was so strong that the third book in the series, Anne of the Island, was published by the Polish Army in Palestine during the Second World War. The novel's global reach, with translations into at least 36 languages and sales exceeding 50 million copies, has made it what scholar Mary Rubio calls Canada's most enduring literary export. A 2003 BBC survey ranked it ahead of many other classics in Britain.

Adaptations and Expansions

The story of Anne Shirley has been adapted into numerous films, television series, stage musicals, and animated productions, with performances held annually across Canada, Europe, and Japan. The narrative has also been expanded through authorized literary works. In 2008, for the centennial of the original novel, Canadian author Budge Wilson published the prequel Before Green Gables, which explores Anne's difficult first eleven years. The Montgomery heirs approved Wilson's outline for the project, and spokesperson Kate MacDonald Butler found the draft moving.

Other posthumous works include novelizations of film screenplays, such as Kevin Sullivan's Anne of Green Gables: A New Beginning (2009). The story continues to inspire new creative interpretations, such as the 2025 musical comedy OH ANNE! by Bridget Ryan. In 2026, a new limited series on Montgomery's life, titled Lucy Maud and starring Megan Follows, was announced, written by Susan Coyne. The original manuscript of the novel is preserved in Charlottetown and has been digitized for online examination.

Tourism and Economic Legacy

The novel has had a profound and lasting impact on the economy and culture of Prince Edward Island. The Green Gables farmhouse in Cavendish, which inspired the setting, is a major tourist attraction. Sites like the Haunted Woods and the Lake of Shining Waters, described in the book, are also promoted to visitors. The province once featured Anne's image on its license plates, underscoring her status as a cultural symbol.

Tourism driven by Anne fans is a significant part of the island's economy, as noted by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. The Anne of Green Gables Museum is located in Park Corner, PEI, in a home that inspired Montgomery. The enduring appeal ensures that the 2026 Charlottetown Festival, for instance, featured productions celebrating the story. The connection is managed in part through the Anne of Green Gables Licensing Authority Inc., which administers trademarks related to the franchise on behalf of the province and Montgomery's heirs.

Legal Status and Trademarks

The original Anne of Green Gables novel entered the public domain in Canada in 1992. This means the text itself is free for public use. However, commercial use of the title and character names often remains protected. The Anne of Green Gables Licensing Authority Inc. controls these trademarks. It is jointly owned by the Province of Prince Edward Island and the Heirs of L. M. Montgomery Inc. This authority licenses trademarks for merchandise and entertainment services.

This has led to legal disputes, notably in Japan. In 2001, Sullivan Entertainment held a Japanese trademark for Anne of Green Gables. The Province of PEI petitioned to invalidate it, and in 2006, Japan's Intellectual Property High Court upheld the decision, ruling that the trademark was registered without the consent of the rightful owners and was contrary to principles of good faith. This case highlights the ongoing commercial value and careful protection of the Anne brand internationally, even as the story itself is widely accessible.

Questions about Anne of Green Gables

Who wrote Anne of Green Gables?

Anne of Green Gables was written by the Canadian author Lucy Maud Montgomery. She published it as L. M. Montgomery in 1908. She drew upon her childhood experiences in rural Prince Edward Island. Montgomery was inspired by notes she made as a young girl about a mistaken orphan adoption.

Is Anne of Green Gables based on a true story?

The novel is not based on a true story. Montgomery was inspired by notes she made about two siblings mistakenly sent an orphan girl. She drew upon her childhood experiences in rural Prince Edward Island. The fictional town of Avonlea is based on Cavendish, Prince Edward Island.

Why is Anne of Green Gables so popular in Japan?

The novel is very popular in Japan where it is known as Red-haired Anne. It has been included in the national school curriculum since 1952. Anne is revered as an icon in Japan. This is especially true since the 1979 anime adaptation Anne of Green Gables. Japanese couples travel to Prince Edward Island for weddings at Green Gables.

How many Anne of Green Gables books are there?

Lucy Maud Montgomery wrote numerous sequels to Anne of Green Gables. It was the first of many novels. An authorized prequel called Before Green Gables was written by Budge Wilson. This prequel was published in 2008 for the 100th anniversary of the series.

Where is the real Green Gables located?

The real Green Gables farmhouse that inspired the novel is located in Cavendish, Prince Edward Island. It is now a historic site and museum managed by Parks Canada. The surrounding area, including the Haunted Woods and Campbell Pond (the Lake of Shining Waters), are part of the tourist experience. The setting is central to Prince Edward Island's cultural identity and tourism industry.

Is Anne of Green Gables in the public domain?

The original 1908 novel entered the public domain in Canada in 1992. The text itself is free for public use. However, commercial use of the title and character names is often protected by trademark law. The Anne of Green Gables Licensing Authority Inc. controls and licenses these trademarks.

Sources: Wikipedia and current public reporting, checked by the Yadude Books desk. Last updated 2026-10-20.