Anne of Green Gables: Key Facts

full title Anne of Green Gables

author Lucy Maud Montgomery

type of work Novel

genre Coming-of-age novel; juvenile literature

language English

time and place written 1908; Canada

date of first publication 1908

publisher L. C. Page

narrator The narrator relates the events of the novel in the third person and has access to every character’s thoughts and emotions. Biased and partial, the narrator often mocks, condemns, or shows affection for the characters.

point of view The novel is written mainly from Anne’s point of view, but it frequently switches to Marilla’s and sometimes to Matthew’s points of view.

tone The narrator is affectionate toward Anne, satirical when describing small-town life, and sentimental and gushing when describing nature.

tense Past

setting (time) The turn of the twentieth century

setting (place) Prince Edward Island, Canada

protagonist Anne Shirley

major conflict Anne struggles to reconcile her imagination and romantic notions with the rigid expectations of traditional Avonlea society.

rising action Anne’s continuous mistakes in her domestic duties and social interactions

climax Matthew’s death and Anne’s success at college

falling action Anne’s decision to stay at Green Gables and teach in Avonlea

themes The conflict between imagination and expectation; sentimentality versus emotion

motifs Fashion; images of nature

symbols Anne’s red hair; the light from Diana’s window

foreshadowing Anne’s dream about having a best friend hints at the close relationship she develops with Diana Barry; Matthew’s heart trouble foreshadows his death at the end of the novel, just as Marilla’s headaches foreshadow her health problems.

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