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.
