Anne of Green Gables
Description
The heartwarming story of a spirited, red-headed orphan girl who finds an unexpected home with an elderly brother and sister on Prince Edward Island.
Topics
Coming of age, orphans, rural life, imagination, friendship, Prince Edward Island
Detailed Description
'Anne of Green Gables' (1908) is the beloved classic by Canadian author Lucy Maud Montgomery that introduces one of literature's most unforgettable characters: Anne Shirley, an imaginative, talkative, red-headed orphan girl mistakenly sent to middle-aged siblings Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert, who had requested a boy to help on their farm at Green Gables. Despite initial plans to return her to the orphanage, the gentle Matthew and stern Marilla gradually come to adore Anne's unique spirit, vivid imagination, and passionate nature. Set in the idyllic fictional community of Avonlea on Prince Edward Island, the novel follows Anne's growth from an impulsive eleven-year-old to a mature young woman, chronicling her academic achievements, social mishaps, blossoming friendships, and romantic entanglements. Through Anne's journey of self-discovery and belonging, Montgomery crafts a powerful narrative about the transformative nature of love, the value of family bonds, and the freedom found in accepting oneself. The book's enchanting portrayal of rural life, rich character development, and Anne's infectious optimism have captivated generations of readers and spawned numerous adaptations, making it a cornerstone of children's literature and a timeless celebration of imagination and individuality.
About the Author
Lucy Maud Montgomery
Lucy Maud Montgomery (1874-1942), published as L.M. Montgomery, was a Canadian author whose works have endured as classics of children's literature. Born in Clifton (now New London), Prince Edward Island, Montgomery experienced early tragedy when her mother died of tuberculosis when she was just 21 months old. Her father left her in the care of her maternal grandparents in Cavendish, PEI, creating a sense of abandonment that would inform many of her later writings. Growing up in the strict Presbyterian household of her grandparents, Montgomery found solace in nature, books, and her vivid imagination. She began writing poetry and stories at a young age, publishing her first poem at age 15. After obtaining her teaching license from Prince of Wales College, Montgomery worked as a teacher while continuing to write and publish short stories in various magazines. The publication of 'Anne of Green Gables' in 1908 brought her immediate international success. She went on to publish 20 novels, over 500 short stories, an autobiography, and a book of poetry. In 1911, following her grandmother's death, Montgomery married Reverend Ewan Macdonald and moved to Ontario, where she balanced her writing career with her duties as a minister's wife and mother to two sons. Despite her professional success, Montgomery's personal life was marked by difficulty. Her husband suffered from religious melancholia (now recognized as depression), she was involved in various legal battles with her publishers, and she struggled with her own depression. Throughout her later years, she chronicled her challenges in detailed journals, which reveal the stark contrast between her often cheerful fiction and her personal struggles. Montgomery died on April 24, 1942, in Toronto. Though initially reported as heart failure, her family later revealed that she had died by suicide through a drug overdose, leaving a note that read in part, 'I have lost my mind by spells and I do not dare think what I may do in those spells.' Despite her tragic end, Montgomery's literary legacy continues to flourish through her beloved characters, particularly Anne Shirley, who embodies the resilience, imagination, and optimism that Montgomery herself valued throughout her troubled life.
Keywords
Anne of Green Gables, Lucy Maud Montgomery, Anne Shirley, Prince Edward Island, Avonlea, children's literature, Canadian literature, orphan story, coming of age, imagination, red-haired protagonist, Marilla Cuthbert, Matthew Cuthbert, Diana Barry, Gilbert Blythe, bosom friends, kindred spirits, Canadian classic, Green Gables, rural life, female bildungsroman, Victorian era, childhood adventures, Edwardian literature, family novel, school stories, LM Montgomery, Cavendish, adoption theme, romantic friendship, nature appreciation, optimism, education value, personal growth, island setting
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