Anne of Green Gables
| Anne of Green Gables | |
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 Anne of Green Gables first edition cover. |
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| Author | Lucy Maud Montgomery |
| Illustrator | M. A. and W. A. J. Claus |
| Country | USA[1][2] |
| Language | English |
| Series | Anne of Green Gables, Anne of Avonlea, Anne of the Island, Anne of Windy Poplars, Anne's House of Dreams, Anne of Ingleside, Rainbow Valley, and Rilla of Ingleside |
| Genre(s) | Novel |
| Publisher | L. C. Page & Co. |
| Publication date | June 1908 |
| Media type | Print (Hardcover) |
| Pages | 429 pp (first edition) |
| ISBN | N/A |
| Followed by | Anne of Avonlea |
Anne of Green Gables is a bestselling novel by Canadian author Lucy Maud Montgomery published in 1908. It was written as fiction for readers of all ages, but in recent decades has been considered a children's book. Montgomery found her inspiration for the book on an old piece of paper that she had written at a young age, describing a couple that were mistakenly sent an orphan girl instead of a boy, yet decided to keep her. Montgomery also 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 pasted the framed clipping on the wall of her bedroom, as the model for the face of Anne Shirley, the book's main character.[3]
Montgomery also found inspiration in the "formula Ann" orphan stories, the Anns without the e. Other characters, like Gilbert Blythe, were modeled, in part, on real-life characters. Montgomery wrote the novel in the twilight of the day, sitting at her window and overlooking the fields of Cavendish.[4]
Since publication, Anne of Green Gables has sold more than 50 million books.[5] In addition, this book is taught to students around the world.
Contents |
Plot summary
Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert, brother and sister who live together at Green Gables, a farm in the village of Avonlea, on Prince Edward Island in Canada, decide to adopt a boy from an orphan asylum in Nova Scotia as a helper on their farm. Through a series of mishaps, the person who ends up under their roof is a precocious girl of eleven named Anne Shirley. Anne is bright and quick, eager to please and talkative, but dissatisfied with her name, her pale countenance dotted with freckles, and with her long braids of red hair. Although wishing she was named Cordelia, she insists that if you are to call her Anne, it must be spelt with an 'E', as it is "so much more distinguished." Being a child of imagination, however, Anne takes much joy in life, and adapts quickly, thriving in the environment of Prince Edward Island. She is something of a chatterbox, and drives the prim, duty-driven Marilla to distraction, although shy Matthew falls for her immediately.
The rest of the book recounts her continued education at school, where she excels in studies very quickly, her budding literary ambitions and her friendships with people such as Diana Barry (her best friend, "bosom friend" as Anne fondly calls her), Jane Andrews, Ruby Gillis, and her rivalry with Gilbert Blythe, who teases her about her red hair and for that earns her hatred, although he apologizes many times. Anne and Gilbert compete in class and Anne one day realizes she no longer hates Gilbert, but will not admit it; at the end of the book, they both become very good friends.
The book also follows her misadventures in quiet, old-fashioned Avonlea. These adventures include her games with her friends (Diana, Jane and Ruby), her rivalries with the Pye sisters (Gertie and Josie) and her domestic mistakes such as dyeing her hair green or accidentally getting Diana drunk (by giving her what she thinks is raspberry cordial but is actually red wine). Anne, along with Gilbert, Ruby, Josie, Jane and several other students, eventually go to the Queen's Academy and obtains a teaching license in one year, in addition to winning the Avery Prize in English, which allows her to pursue a B.A. at Redmond College.
The book ends with Matthew's death, caused by a heart attack after learning of the loss of all his and Marilla's money. Anne shows her devotion to Marilla and Green Gables by giving up the Avery Prize, deciding to stay at home and help Marilla, whose eyesight is diminishing, and teaching at the Carmody school, the nearest school available. To show his friendship, Gilbert Blythe gives up his teaching position in the Avonlea School to work at White Sands School instead, thus enabling Anne to teach at the Avonlea School and stay at Green Gables all through the week. After this kind act, Anne and Gilbert become friends, and Anne is proud of following the "bend in the road."
Characters
Anne Shirley - An imaginative, red-headed orphan who comes to live with Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert, unmarried siblings.
Marilla Cuthbert - A crisp, practical, no-nonsense woman who doesn't approve of Anne's wild imagination although she does grow to love the orphan. Her sense of humor develops greatly upon Anne's arrival and Mrs. Lynde states that she became "mellow".
Matthew Cuthbert - Marilla's brother, a shy, awkward man who takes a liking to Anne from the start. The two become fast friends but he dies of a heart attack in the end.
Diana Barry - A bosom friend of Anne, Anne's kindred spirit. Anne and Diana become best friends from the moment they meet. She is the only little girl who lives close to Green Gables. While Anne does not think Diana is very imaginative, Diana is noted for being pretty, merry and very amiable. She doesn't really have an imagination.
Gilbert Blythe - Anne's enemy from pulling her hair and calling her "Carrots". Even though Gilbert apologizes shortly after the incident, Anne remains scornful toward him for a few years but Gilbert never abandons his quest for her friendship as he is in love with her. Anne forgives Gilbert by the end of the book and the two become friends - and eventually marry in a later book in the series, "Anne's House of Dreams".
Rachel Lynde - A neighbor of Matthew and Marilla and the nosiest person in town. Although she did not take a liking to Anne in the beginning, she soon warms to the freckled faced orphan. She is incredibly industrious, helpful and loves doing work for the church. She is married, but her husband, Thomas Lynde, is only mentioned on a few brief occasions, and never speaks.
Miss Muriel Stacy - Anne's new teacher. Miss Stacy is truly a mentor to Anne. Miss Stacy worked hard to be accepted by Avonlea, as her teaching methods were new.
Josie Pye - Anne's sometimes friend, sometimes rival, and classmate. She is vain and generally disliked by the girls of Avonlea like all the other Pyes. Her younger sister is Gertie Pye. Josie is to some extent a minor character, but one episode she appears in is very important- Anne breaks her ankle whilst walking the ridge-pole of the Barrys' kitchen roof, after being dared to do so by Josie.
Jane Andrews - One of Anne's friends whom she is very fond of, although Diana remains her closest friend. Jane is described as rather staid, plain and with very little imagination. Like Josie, she is a minor character- her most significant role is probably the episode where Anne and her friends dramatise a poem they have been studying at college.
Ruby Gillis - Another one of Anne's friends. Ruby is flirtatious and always discussing beaux. She is portrayed as pretty with long, golden hair and an imagination like Anne's. Ruby loves getting the attention of the boys but dies in the third book "Anne of The Island", after finding her one true love. Ruby plays a minor role in "Anne of Green Gables".
Reverend and Mrs. Allan - The minister and his wife, two friends for Anne. Mrs. Allan becomes one of Anne's best friends.
Minnie May Barry - Diana's even plumper younger sister. She tags along and plays a pivotal role when she gets croup and Anne nurses her.
Mr. & Mrs. Barry - Diana & Minnie's parents. Mr. Barry also farms, and offers to rent some tracts near the end to help out Anne & Marilla. Mrs. Barry has a severe personality, expecting her children to follow strict and sometimes unreasonable rules. She's quick to condemn Anne for mistakes.
Miss Josephine Barry - Diana's aunt. Initially a malevolent character, but is charmed by Anne's imagination, and eventually invites her out to tea, and sends her a very expensive Christmas present.
Mr. Phillips - Anne's first teacher at Avonlea, whom she despises (he spelled Anne's name without an 'E', among other things). She actually refuses to attend school for a long time, after Mr. Phillips humiliated her by punishing her and only her when a dozen pupils arrive late, and by making her sit with Gilbert Blythe. Mr. Philips is not a competent teacher, as Mrs. Lynde admits. He has no discipline, and is courting one of his pupils.
Sequels
Montgomery continued the story of Anne Shirley in a series of sequels, and they are listed in the order of Anne's age in each of the novels.
| # | Book | Date published | Anne Shirley's age |
| 1 | Anne of Green Gables | 1908 | 11—16 |
| 2 | Anne of Avonlea | 1909 | 16—18 |
| 3 | Anne of the Island | 1915 | 18—22 |
| 4 | Anne of Windy Poplars (US&Canada) Anne of Windy Willows (Other) |
1936 | 22—25 |
| 5 | Anne's House of Dreams | 1917 | 25—27 |
| 6 | Anne of Ingleside | 1939 | 34—40 |
| 7 | Rainbow Valley | 1919 | 41 |
| 8 | Rilla of Ingleside | 1921 | 49—53 |
| 9 | The Blythes Are Quoted | 2009 (Completed shortly before Montgomery's death in 1942) | — |
| Related books in which Anne Shirley plays a lesser part | |||
| # | Book | Date published | Anne Shirley's age |
| — | Chronicles of Avonlea | 1912 | — |
| — | Further Chronicles of Avonlea | 1920 | — |
Prequel
The prequel of Anne of Green Gables was written by Budge Wilson, with authorization of heirs of L. M. Montgomery.
| # | Book | Date published | Anne Shirley's age |
| — | Before Green Gables | 2008 | 0—11 |
Scholarship
The history of Anne of Green Gables was written by Irene Gammel, with authorization of heirs of L. M. Montgomery.
| # | Book | Date published | Anne Shirley's age |
| — | Looking for Anne of Green Gables: The Story of L.M. Montgomery and her Literary Classic | 2008 | 0—40 |
Tourism
The Green Gables farmhouse from which Montgomery drew her inspiration is located in Cavendish, Prince Edward Island. Many tourist attractions on Prince Edward Island have been developed based on Anne, and provincial licence plates once bore her image.
Balsam Hollow and the forest that inspired the Haunted Woods described in the book are also located in the vicinity.[6] Each summer, the musicals Anne of Green Gables and Anne & Gilbert are performed at theatres in Prince Edward Island.
The popularity of Anne has extended into many countries and 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] The novel is very popular in Japan,[10][11] where it has been on the school curriculum since 1952 and Anne is revered as "an icon."[12] Many Japanese couples have wedding ceremonies on the grounds of the Green Gables farm and some girls arrive with red-dyed hair and pigtails, to look like Anne.[13]
Bala's Museum With Memories Of Lucy Maud Montgomery located in Bala, Ontario, Canada, is dedicated to Montgomery information and heritage, located in the former home of Fanny Pike where Montgomery and her family stayed for a vacation in 1922. She based her novel The Blue Castle on the region, changing the town's name to Deerwood, the only book she wrote not to be set in Atlantic Canada.
In 2008 Canada Post issued a two postage stamps and a souvenir sheet honoring Anne and the "Green Gables" house.
Adaptations
Film
- 1919: Anne of Green Gables - a silent film adapted to the screen by Frances Marion, it was directed by William Desmond Taylor and starred Mary Miles Minter as Anne. This is considered a lost film.
- 1934: Anne of Green Gables - directed by George Nichols Jr., this Black & White version was made with RCA Victor sound and starred Dawn O'Day as Anne. It is worth noting that after filming, O'Day changed her screen name to Anne Shirley.
Television movies
- 1956: Anne of Green Gables - made for television, this version directed by Don Harron starred Toby Tarnow as Anne.
- 1972: Anne of Green Gables - a made for television 5-part mini-series, this British version was directed by Joan Craft with Kim Braden in the role of Anne.
- 1975: Anne of Avonlea - a made for television 4-part mini-series, this British version was directed by Joan Craft with Kim Braden in the role of Anne.
- 1985: Anne of Green Gables - a highly acclaimed made for television (CBC) 4 hour television mini series, it was directed by Kevin Sullivan with Megan Follows as Anne.
- 1987: Anne of Green Gables: The Sequel, a sequel to the 1985 miniseries which aired on the Disney Channel as Anne of Avonlea: The Continuing Story of Anne of Green Gables.
- 2000: Anne of Green Gables: The Continuing Story was a television miniseries whose script was very loosely based upon the novels.
- 2009: Anne of Green Gables: A New Beginning is a television miniseries whose script is not based upon the novels.[14]
Television series
- 1979: Akage no An ("Red-Haired Anne") - an animated television series, part of Nippon Animation's World Masterpiece Theater, which was produced in Japan in 1979, directed by Isao Takahata.
- 1990 - 1996: Road to Avonlea - a live action television show produced by Kevin Sullivan based upon characters and episodes from several of L.M. Montgomery's books. Anne herself did not appear in the TV series, but Gilbert Blythe, Marilla Cuthbert, and other characters from the Anne books are included. Shown on The Disney Channel in the U.S. under the title Avonlea.
- 2000: Anne: The Animated Series - a PBS animated series for preschoolers airing on PBS, created by Sullivan Entertainment Inc..
- 2009: Kon'nichiwa Anne 〜 Before Green Gables - part of the World Masterpiece Theater.
Stage
Opening the summer of 2008, Adam-Michael James' The Nine Lives of L.M. Montgomery was set in Georgetown, PEI staged at the Kings Playhouse. This musical is based upon Lucy Maud Montgomery, the author of the popular Anne of Green Gables. It depicts true events that happened in L.M. Montgomery's life and ties them in with her fictional world of Anne and Gilbert. Emmy-nominated composer Leo Marchildon composed this work with precision. The production was nominated for the PEI museum and Heritage Foundation's Wendell Boyle's award. It is set to take its second run on the 11th of July 2009 at the Carrefour Isle-de-Saint-Jean theater in Charlottetown, PEI this summer.[15]
The Confederation Centre of the Arts' annual "Charlottetown Festival" headlines Canada's longest-running main stage musical production Anne of Green Gables - The Musical. This show has run every summer since the Centre opened in 1964 has played to over 2 million viewers. Anne of Green Gables - The Musical was composed by Canadian theatrical legends Don Harron and Norman Campbell, with lyrics by Elaine Campbell and Mavor Moore. The production has played to Queen Elizabeth II and has also toured across Canada, the United States, and Europe. Festival Artistic Director Walter Learning directed and organized a successful national tour of Japan in 1991. The musical also had a run in London's West End in 1969.
The Harbourfront Jubilee Theatre in Summerside, Prince Edward Island, hosts Anne and Gilbert, The Musical. Written by Nancy White, Bob Johnston and Jeff Hochhauser, the production is based on Montgomery's sequel novels to Anne of Green Gables.
Theatreworks USA, a New York based children's theatre company, is currently casting their Anne of Green Gables musical, which premiered at the Lortel Theatre in 2006. The production will tour grade-schools, and features musical contributions from Gretchen Cryer.
The Peterborough Players, based in Peterborough, New Hampshire, staged an adaptation of Anne of Green Gables in August 2009 adapted by Joseph Robinette.[16]
Parodies
As one of the most famous 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). Megan Follows also appeared on Made in Canada as Mandy Forward, the star of Pyramid Prodigy Productions' Adele of Beaver Creek series who discovered that the company was secretly producing an Adele of Beaver Creek porn knockoff.
In response to massive funding cuts to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation during the later tenure of Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, the Vancouver-based political satire duo Double Exposure noted the effects of the budget cuts on CBC Television productions were so severe that several prominent fictional Canadian characters were being sent out to raise funds independently. There followed the sound of a doorbell, and the words: "([ding-dong]) Anne of Avon calling!"
References
- ↑ Devereux, Cecily Margaret (2004), A Note on the Text, In Montgomery (2004), p.42, http://books.google.com.au/books?id=9kpgvRjMlNMC&pg=PA42
- ↑ Montgomery, Lucy Maud (2004) [1908], Anne of Green Gables, Peterborough, Ontario: Broadview Press, ISBN 1-55111-362-7
- ↑ 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).
- ↑ Irene Gammel, "The Mystery of Anne Revealed," Looking for Anne of Green Gables.
- ↑ Reuters.com on Anne of Green Gables: ""Anne of Green Gables" has sold more than 50 million copies and been translated into 20 languages, according to Penguin." (19 March 2008)
- ↑ Green Gables Government of Prince Edward Island. Retrieved on July 24, 2006
- ↑ Anne of Green Gables - Celebrate 100 Years
"Anne of Green Gables has sold millions of copies in more than 36 languages" - ↑ USA Today (August 5, 2008) "'Anne of Green Gables' still rules Prince Edward Island. usatoday.com.
- ↑ CBC News (June 19, 2008). CBC.ca, 100 years of Anne of Green Gables.
- ↑ Anne in Japan FAQ 1.0
- ↑ Buttercups L.M. Montgomery & Anne of Green Gables fan club in Japan
- ↑ Morris, C. (May 11, 2008). "P.E.I. honours Anne's 100th". Canadian Press. canoe.ca
- ↑ Bruni, Frank (November 18, 2007). Beckoned by Bivalves. The New York Times.
- ↑ IMDb.com
- ↑ For more information visit: [www.ninelivesoflmm.com NineLivesofLMM.com]
- ↑ PeterBoroughPlayers.org
External links
- Anne of Green Gables Centenary This site includes information about the centenary anniversary of Lucy Maud Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables
- Anne of Green Gables at Project Gutenberg
- Anne of Green Gables free audio book from Librivox in ogg and mp3 formats
- L.M. Montgomery Research Centre Highlights the extensive L.M. Montgomery collection at the University of Guelph Library Archival & Special Collections.
- The Anne of Green Gables and L. M. Montgomery Lexicon This site contains, a huge collection of Anne book cover artwork, games, recipes, time line and more.
- Article on Anne of Green Gables from the Encyclopedia of Music in Canada
- The L.M. Montgomery Research Group This scholarly site includes a bibliography of reference materials and a complete filmography of all adaptations of Montgomery texts.
- Ingleside Impressions This site includes how to learn more about Anne's world, L. M. Montgomery, and touring PEI.
- Forever Anne Official Anne of Green Gables resource site approved by Montgomery heirs and commissioned by government of PEI department of Tourism. Free resource.
- The L.M. Montgomery Literary Society This site includes information about Montgomery's works and life and research from the newsletter, The Shining Scroll. Read about the Book Cover artists of the 1908 edition of Anne of Green Gables, L.M. Montgomery and World War I in The Shining Scroll issues from 2008 and December 2009, Anne in Japan, and visit her Prince Edward Island sites.
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