Anne of Avonlea

Lucy Maud Montgomery

Anne of Avonlea

Lucy Maud Montgomery
61 pages2-hour read
Fiction
Novel
YA
Published in 1909

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Character List

Meet the key characters, with insights into their roles, motivations, and relationships—spoiler-free.

Major Characters

Anne is a sixteen-year-old girl stepping into her new position as the schoolteacher of Avonlea. She co-founds the Village Improvement Society to beautify the town and approaches her responsibilities with unwavering optimism. She remains prone to daydreaming and holds onto a romanticized vision of the world, often finding her lofty ideals clashing with the practical demands of teaching and raising children.

Key Relationships

Guardian of Marilla Cuthbert

Best Friend of Diana Barry

Close Friend of Gilbert Blythe

Foster Mother Figure to Davy Keith

Foster Mother Figure to Dora Keith

Young Friend of James Harrison

Teacher of Paul Irving

Kindred Spirit of Lavendar Lewis

Friend of Jane Andrews

Neighbor of Mrs. Rachel Lynde

Marilla is the practical, aging matriarch of Green Gables. Her once-stern demeanor has softened significantly due to years of raising Anne. She takes on the daunting task of fostering a distant relative's young twins, bringing chaos into her normally orderly household.

Key Relationships

Adoptive Mother of Anne Shirley

Foster Mother of Davy Keith

Foster Mother of Dora Keith

Close Friend of Mrs. Rachel Lynde

Neighbor of Thomas Lynde

Neighbor of James Harrison

Davy is a mischievous six-year-old orphan taken in by Marilla Cuthbert. He constantly gets into trouble, asks endless questions, and takes great joy in pulling pranks on his sister. He lacks a proper upbringing but possesses an affectionate nature that quickly endears him to his new caretakers.

Key Relationships

Twin Brother of Dora Keith

Foster Son of Marilla Cuthbert

Foster Son of Anne Shirley

Rival of Paul Irving

Young Friend of James Harrison

Mr. Harrison is a bald, easily agitated bachelor who recently moved to Avonlea from New Brunswick. He keeps a messy house and refuses to participate in local society. Despite a rough introduction involving damaged crops, he quickly bonds with Anne over tea and becomes a supportive neighbor.

Key Relationships

Friend of Anne Shirley

Owner of Ginger

Neighbor of Marilla Cuthbert

Friend of Davy Keith

Paul is a ten-year-old American boy sent to live with his grandmother in Avonlea. He possesses a rich imagination, frequently talking about his "rock people" down at the shore to cope with the loss of his mother. He instantly bonds with Anne, viewing her as an intellectual peer and maternal figure.

Key Relationships

Student of Anne Shirley

Son of Stephen Irving

Young Friend of Lavendar Lewis

Rival of Davy Keith

Miss Lavendar is a forty-five-year-old single woman living in the secluded Echo Lodge. She maintains a youthful spirit, arranging her white hair stylishly and retaining a cheerful, dimpled smile. She lives a quiet life accompanied by her young servant and her vivid imagination.

Key Relationships

Kindred Spirit of Anne Shirley

Former Fiance of Stephen Irving

Friend of Paul Irving

Employer of Charlotta the Fourth

Hostess to Diana Barry

Gilbert is a handsome young man teaching at the White Sands school while preparing for college. He co-founds the Avonlea Village Improvement Society alongside Anne. He harbors deep affection for Anne, patiently trying to measure up to her romantic ideals while offering steady, practical support.

Key Relationships

Close Friend of Anne Shirley

Fellow Teacher of Jane Andrews

Friend of Diana Barry

Friend of Fred Wright

Diana is Anne's fiercely loyal, practical best friend. She lacks Anne's wild imagination but provides grounding support during their various adventures. As she grows older, she begins directing her attention toward courtship and traditional young adult milestones.

Key Relationships

Best Friend of Anne Shirley

Romantic Interest of Fred Wright

Niece of Miss Josephine Barry

Friend of Gilbert Blythe

Mrs. Rachel is Avonlea's outspoken local authority and primary source of gossip. She holds strong opinions about child-rearing, neighborhood politics, and the dangers of outsiders. Despite her abrasive delivery, she cares deeply for her friends and acts as a devoted caregiver to her ailing husband.

Key Relationships

Wife of Thomas Lynde

Close Friend of Marilla Cuthbert

Neighbor of Anne Shirley

Friend of Mrs. Allan

Supporting Characters

Dora is the six-year-old twin sister of Davy. In contrast to her brother, she behaves like a perfect little lady. She follows directions easily but frequently becomes the target of Davy's endless practical jokes.

Key Relationships

Twin Sister of Davy Keith

Foster Daughter of Marilla Cuthbert

Foster Daughter of Anne Shirley

Jane is a pragmatic young woman starting her career as a teacher in Newbridge. She firmly believes in maintaining strict order in her classroom and has no qualms about using corporal punishment, putting her at odds with Anne's affectionate teaching philosophy.

Key Relationships

Friend of Anne Shirley

Friend of Gilbert Blythe

Anthony is an obstinate student in the Avonlea school. He actively resists Anne's attempts to rule the classroom with love and kindness, deliberately acting out and testing the limits of her patience.

Key Relationships

Student of Anne Shirley

Ginger is Mr. Harrison's foul-mouthed parrot. Raised by a sailor, the bird freely curses at anyone who visits the house, much to the dismay of polite Avonlea society.

Key Relationships

Antagonist to Anne Shirley

Stephen is Paul's father, an American businessman who originally grew up in the area. Decades ago, he broke off an engagement with a local woman after a petty argument and moved away, leaving behind complicated memories.

Key Relationships

Father of Paul Irving

Former Fiance of Lavendar Lewis

Charlotta is a fourteen-year-old girl who works as a servant for Miss Lavendar. Her real name is not Charlotta; she is simply the fourth sister from her family to work at the lodge, taking on the customary moniker. She deeply admires Anne's vocabulary and mannerisms.

Key Relationships

Employee of Lavendar Lewis

Admirer of Anne Shirley

Fred is a young man in Avonlea and a member of the Village Improvement Society. He actively courts Diana Barry, presenting a dependable, traditional prospect for marriage.

Key Relationships

Romantic Interest of Diana Barry

Friend of Gilbert Blythe

Thomas is Mrs. Rachel's mild-mannered husband. He suffers from poor health, requiring his wife to serve as his patient and constant nurse.

Key Relationships

Miss Barry is Diana's wealthy, older aunt. She loans Anne a prized ceramic platter for a church supper, an item that inadvertently causes significant household drama.

Key Relationships

Aunt of Diana Barry

Friend of Anne Shirley

Priscilla is a good friend of Anne's from their days at Queen's Academy. She facilitates a highly anticipated visit to Green Gables by bringing her aunt, a famous author.

Key Relationships

Friend of Anne Shirley

Niece of Mrs. Morgan

Charlotte Morgan is a renowned author and Priscilla's aunt. Her presence on the island causes immense excitement and anxiety for Anne, who desperately wishes to host her perfectly.

Key Relationships

Aunt of Priscilla Grant

Guest of Anne Shirley