Anne of Green Gables

This article is about the novel. For other uses, see Anne of Green Gables (disambiguation).
Anne of Green Gables

First edition.
Author Lucy Maud Montgomery
Illustrator M. A. and W. A. J. Claus
Country Written and set in Canada, published in the United States[1][2]
Language English
Series Anne of Green Gables
Genre Novel
Published June 1908 (L.C. Page & Co.)[3]
Followed by Anne of Avonlea
Text Anne of Green Gables at Wikisource

Anne of Green Gables is a 1908 novel by Canadian author Lucy Maud Montgomery. Written for all ages, it has been considered a children's novel since the mid-twentieth century. It recounts the adventures of Anne Shirley, an 11-year-old orphan girl who is mistakenly sent to Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert, a middle-aged brother and sister who had intended to adopt a boy to help them on their farm in Prince Edward Island. The novel recounts how Anne makes her way with the Cuthberts, in school, and within the town.

Since publication, Anne of Green Gables has sold more than 50 million copies and has been translated into 20 languages.[4] Numerous sequels were written by Montgomery, and since her death, another sequel has been published, as well as an authorized prequel. The original book is taught to students around the world.

It has been adapted as film, made-for-television movies, and animated and live-action television series. Anne Shirley was played by Megan Follows in the 1985 Canadian produced movie. Plays and musicals have also been created, with productions annually in Canada since 1964 of the first musical production, which has toured in Canada, the United States, Europe and Japan.

Background

In writing the novel, Montgomery was inspired by notes she had made as a young girl, about a couple who were mistakenly sent an orphan girl instead of the boy they had requested yet decided to keep her. She drew upon her own childhood experiences in rural Prince Edward Island. Montgomery used a photograph of Evelyn Nesbit, which she had clipped from New York’s Metropolitan Magazine and put on the wall of her bedroom, as the model for the face of Anne Shirley.[5]

Montgomery was also inspired by the "formula Ann" orphan stories which were popular at the time and distinguished her character by spelling her name "Anne." She based other characters such as Gilbert Blythe in part on people she knew. She said that she wrote the novel in the twilight of the day, while sitting at her window and overlooking the fields of Cavendish.[6]

Plot Summary

Anne, a young orphan from the fictional community of Bolingbroke, Nova Scotia (based upon the real community of New London), is sent to Prince Edward Island after a childhood spent in strangers' homes and orphanages. Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert, siblings in their fifties and sixties, had decided to adopt a boy from the orphanage to help Matthew run their farm. They live at Green Gables, their Avonlea farmhouse on Prince Edward Island. Through a misunderstanding, the orphanage sends Anne Shirley.

Anne is described as bright and quick, eager to please, talkative, and extremely imaginative. She has a pale face with freckles and usually braids her red hair. Marilla at first says the girl must return to the orphanage, but after a few days, she decides to let her stay. Marilla feels that she could be a good influence on the girl and has also learned that a disagreeable woman in town might take Anne instead.

As a child of imagination, Anne takes much joy in life and adapts quickly, thriving in the close-knit farming village. Her talkativeness initially drives the prim, duty-driven Marilla to distraction, although Matthew falls for her charm immediately. Anne says that they are "kindred spirits."

The book recounts Anne's adventures in making a home: the country school where she quickly excels in her studies; her friendship with Diana Barry (her best or "bosom friend" as Anne fondly calls her); her budding literary ambitions; and her rivalry with classmate Gilbert Blythe, who teases her about her red hair. For that, he earns her instant hatred, although he apologizes many times. As time passes, Anne realizes she no longer hates Gilbert but cannot bring herself to speak to him.

The book also follows Anne's adventures in quiet, old-fashioned Avonlea. Episodes include her play-time with friends (Diana, Jane Andrews and Ruby Gillis), her run-ins with the unpleasant Pye sisters (Gertie and Josie), and domestic mishaps such as dyeing her hair green (while intending to dye it black) or accidentally getting Diana drunk (by giving her what she thinks is raspberry cordial but is currant wine).

At fifteen, Anne goes to Queen's Academy to earn a teaching license, along with Gilbert, Ruby, Josie, Jane and several other students. She obtains her license in one year instead of the usual two and wins the Avery Scholarship for the top student in English. Her attainment of this scholarship would allow her to pursue a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree at the fictional Redmond College (based on the real Dalhousie University) on the mainland in Nova Scotia.

Near the end of the book, Matthew dies of a heart attack after learning that all of his and Marilla's money has been lost in a bank failure. Out of devotion to Marilla and Green Gables, Anne gives up the scholarship to stay at home and help Marilla, whose eyesight is failing. She plans to teach at the Carmody school, the nearest school available, and return to Green Gables on weekends. In an act of friendship, Gilbert Blythe gives up his teaching position at the Avonlea School to work at White Sands School instead, knowing that Anne wants to stay close to Marilla after Matthew's death. After this kind act, Anne and Gilbert's friendship is cemented, and Anne looks forward to the next "bend in the road."

Characters

Green Gables household:

Anne's schoolmates:

Avonlea's locals:

Others:

Related works

Based on the popularity of her first book, Montgomery wrote a series of sequels to continue the story of her heroine Anne Shirley. They are listed chronologically below by Anne's age in each of the novels.

Lucy Maud Montgomery's books on Anne Shirley:
#BookDate publishedAnne Shirley's age
1Anne of Green Gables 190811—16
2Anne of Avonlea 190916—18
3Anne of the Island 191518—22
4Anne of Windy Poplars (US & Canada)
Anne of Windy Willows (Other)
193622—25
5Anne's House of Dreams191725—27
6Anne of Ingleside193934—40
 
The following books focus on Anne's children, or on other family friends. Anne appears in these volumes, but plays a lesser part.
#BookDate publishedAnne Shirley's age
7Rainbow Valley191941—43
8Rilla of Ingleside192149—53
9The Blythes Are Quoted200940—75
 
Anne Shirley features in one story (and is referenced in other stories) in each of the following collections:
#BookDate publishedAnne Shirley's age
Chronicles of Avonlea1912 approx. 20
Further Chronicles of Avonlea1920 approx. 20

The prequel, Before Green Gables (2008), was written by Budge Wilson with authorization of heirs of L. M. Montgomery.

Tourism and merchandising

The Green Gables farmhouse located in Cavendish
Sign marking trail through Balsam Hollow

The province and tourist facilities have highlighted the local connections to the internationally popular novels. Anne of Green Gables has been translated into 36 languages.[7][8] "Tourism by Anne fans is an important part of the Island economy".[9] Merchants offer items based on the novels.

The Green Gables farmhouse is located in Cavendish, Prince Edward Island. Many tourist attractions on Prince Edward Island have been developed based on the fictional Anne, and provincial licence plates once bore her image.[10] Balsam Hollow, the forest that inspired the Haunted Woods and Campbell Pond, the body of water which inspired The Lake of Shining Waters, both described in the book, are located in the vicinity.[11] In addition, the Confederation Centre of the Arts has featured the wildly successful Anne of Green Gables musical on its mainstage every summer for the past 48 years.[12]

The novel has been very popular in Japan, where it is known as Red-haired Anne,[13][14] and where it has been included in the national school curriculum since 1952. 'Anne' is revered as "an icon" in Japan, especially since 1979 when this story was broadcast as anime, Anne of Green Gables.[15] Japanese couples travel to Prince Edward Island to have civil wedding ceremonies on the grounds of the Green Gables farm. Some Japanese girls arrive as tourists with red-dyed hair styled in pigtails, to look like Anne.[16] In 2014, Asadora 'Hanako to Anne' (Hanako Muraoka is the first translator in Japan) was broadcast and Anne became popular among old and young alike.

The Avonlea theme park near Cavendish and the Cavendish Figurines shop have trappings so that tourists may dress like the book's characters for photos.[17] Souvenir shops throughout Prince Edward Island offer numerous foods and products based on details of the 'Anne Shirley' novels. Straw hats for girls with sewn-in red braids are common, as are bottles of raspberry cordial soda.[18] In the first book, Lucy Maud Montgomery established the cordial soda as the favorite beverage of Anne, who declares: "I just love bright red drinks!"

Panorama of Green Gable farmhouse and grounds

Legacy and honors

In 2003 Anne of Green Gables was ranked number 41 in The Big Read, a survey of the British public by BBC to determine the "nation's best-loved novel" (not children's novel).[22] In 2012 it was ranked number nine among all-time children's novels in a survey published by School Library Journal, a monthly with primarily U.S. audience.[23]

Adaptations

Film

Television movies

Television series

Anne as she appeared in the 1979 Japanese anime adaptation of Anne of Green Gables.
Anne of Green Gables: The Animated Series

Stage

Radio

Web

Fiction

Parodies

As one of the most familiar characters in Canadian literature, Anne of Green Gables has been parodied by several Canadian comedy troupes, including CODCO (Anne of Green Gut) and The Frantics (Fran of the Fundy).

References

  1. Devereux, Cecily Margaret (2004). A Note on the Text. In Montgomery (2004), p.42. ISBN 978-1-55111-362-3.
  2. Montgomery, Lucy Maud (2004) [1908]. Devereux, Cecily Margaret, ed. Anne of Green Gables. Peterborough, Ontario: Broadview Press. ISBN 1-55111-362-7.
  3. 'Anne of Green Gables' 1st edition sells at auction for US$37,000, a new record, "The Guardian", December 12, 2009
  4. Reuters.com on Anne of Green Gables (March 19, 2008)
  5. YouTube.com, Irene Gammel, Looking for Anne of Green Gables: The Story of L. M. Montgomery and her Literary Classic (New York: St. Martin’s Press, 2009).
  6. Irene Gammel, "The Mystery of Anne Revealed," Looking for Anne of Green Gables.
  7. Anne of Green Gables – Celebrate 100 Years
    "Anne of Green Gables has sold millions of copies in more than 36 languages"
  8. Anne of Green Gables still rules Prince Edward Island", USA Today, August 5, 2008
  9. CBC News (June 19, 2008). CBC.ca, "100 years of Anne of Green Gables".
  10. "License plate goes green", "The Guardian", April 5th 2007
  11. Green Gables Government of Prince Edward Island. Retrieved on July 24, 2006
  12. "Anne of Green Gables – The Musical" "Confederation Centre of the Arts", August 14th 2012
  13. Yuka Kajihara (April 4, 2004). "Anne in Japan FAQ 1.0". Yukazine.com. Archived from the original on July 18, 2011. Retrieved 2011-06-06.
  14. "Buttercups: L.M. Montgomery & Anne of Green Gables fan club in Japan", Yukazine, April 4, 2004
  15. Morris, C. (May 11, 2008). "P.E.I. honours Anne's 100th", Canadian Press. canoe.ca
  16. Bruni, Frank (November 18, 2007). "Beckoned by Bivalves: Prince Edward Island". The New York Times
  17. Oct 10 '10. "Cloning Anne of Green Gables.". Tacky Tourist Photos. Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved 2011-06-06.
  18. "The Heroine's Bookshelf: Anne of Green Gables". Theheroinesbookshelf.com. October 12, 2010. Archived from the original on July 17, 2011. Retrieved 2011-06-06.
  19. "History: A look back at the last 20 years". Bala's Museum with Memories of Lucy Maud Montgomery (balasmuseum.com). Retrieved 2015-10-30.
  20. "Canadian Postal Archives Database". collectionscanada.gc.ca.
  21. "Canada Post – Anne of Green Gables". Canada Post. Retrieved 2012-03-16.
  22. "The Big Read – Top 100". BBC. April 2003. Retrieved October 27, 2012.
  23. Bird, Elizabeth (July 7, 2012). "Top 100 Chapter Book Poll Results". A Fuse #8 Production. Blog. School Library Journal (blog.schoollibraryjournal.com). Retrieved 2015-10-30.
  24. "New Anne of Green Gables film announced". cbc.ca. 10 September 2013.
  25. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4820224/
  26. "In Production - ANNE OF GREEN GABLES TV Movie". Ontario Film Commission. 15 May 2015. Retrieved 21 May 2015.
  27. "MAJOR UPDATE: ANNE OF GREEN GABLES ADAPTATION BY BREAKTHROUGH ENTERTAINMENT". L.M. Montgomery Online. 1 April 2015. Retrieved 21 May 2015.
  28. "Canada Wide Casting for Anne of Green Gables (Movie of the Week)". ACTpei. 9 February 2015. Retrieved 21 May 2015.
  29. "Anne of Green Gables returns to TV". CBC News. June 11, 2012. Retrieved June 21, 2012.
  30. "Anne of Green Gables Movies 1 X 90". Breakthrough Entertainment. Retrieved 21 May 2015.
  31. "Schedule". YTV.com. Archived from the original on 9 February 2016. Mon 15: ANNE OF GREEN GABLES
    6:00 PM
    Anne of Green Gables
    It is the year 1907 on beautiful Prince Edward Island. Anne Shirley is mistakenly sent there to Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert, a midde-aged brother and sister who had intended to adopt a boy to help them on their farm. Anne must make her way with...
  32. "Monday 15th: 551 YTV - 6:00 PM-8:00 PM Anne of Green Gables". MyBell.Bell.Ca. Retrieved 14 February 2016. (subscription required (help)). Red-haired orphan Anne grows up in Avonlea on the farm of elderly Matthew and his sister; Marilla. Ella Ballentine, Sara Botsford, Martin Sheen, Julia Lalonde, Linda Kash, Kyle Gatehouse, Zoe Fraser, Directed by John Kent Harrison. NR, Released 2016, CC.
  33. "Anne of Green Gables set for new life on CBC-TV". CBC. Retrieved 12 January 2016.
  34. "The Nine Lives of L.M. Montgomery". Ninelivesoflmm.com. February 15, 2012. Retrieved 2013-11-03.
  35. "PeterBoroughPlayers.org". PeterBoroughPlayers.org. Retrieved 2011-06-06.

Further reading

External links

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