| Anne of Green Gables | |
|---|---|
 | |
|
Real Name |
Anne Shirley |
|
First Appearance |
Anne of Green Gables (1908) |
|
Original Publisher |
L.C. Page & Co |
|
Created by |
Lucy Maud Montgomery |
Origin[]
Anne Shirley is a spirited and imaginative girl with a vivid imagination and a penchant for romanticism. Orphaned at a young age, Anne was sent to assist the elderly Cuthbert siblings, Marilla and Matthew, on their farm in Avonlea, under the false impression that they had adopted a son. Anne captivates the hearts of everyone she meets with her charm, intelligence, and unwavering optimism.
Anne's defining characteristic is her boundless imagination, which she often uses to escape the hardships of her past and the insecurities, doubts, and fears of her present life just like any other adolescent. She dreams of becoming a famous writer or a great orator, and her romanticized view of the world leads her to invent elaborate stories about her surroundings, from the haunted woods of Avonlea to the depths of her own emotions.
Despite her flights of fancy and larger-than-life personality, Anne is also fiercely independent and determined. She is unafraid to speak her mind and stands up for herself and others, even in the face of criticism or adversity. Her resilience and optimism help her overcome the many obstacles she faces, whether it is winning over the skeptical residents of Avonlea, excelling in school, or navigating the complexities of friendship and love.
Anne's journey throughout the series is one of growth and self-discovery. From her early days as a precocious and impulsive child to her maturation into a responsible young woman and eventually a mother, Anne learns valuable lessons about forgiveness, empathy, and the importance of staying true to oneself. She forms deep friendships with kindred spirits like Diana Barry and Gilbert Blythe (who she later married), experiences the joys and heartaches of first love, and discovers her own identity and place in the world.
Public Domain Appearances[]
Public Domain Literary Appearances[]
- Anne of Green Gables (1908)
- Anne of Avonlea (1909)
- Chronicles of Avonlea (1912)
- Anne of the Island (1915)
- Anne's House of Dreams (1917)
- Rainbow Valley (1919)
- Rilla of Ingleside (1921)
Public Domain Film Appearances[]
- Anne of Green Gables (1919) (lost film)