# Anne Shirley — Anne of Avonlea character guide

> Anne Shirley in Anne of Avonlea by L. M. Montgomery.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Anne, Miss Shirley, Anne of Avonlea

**First appearance:** 0002-anne-of-avonlea

## Snapshot

A dreamy, warm-hearted young teacher who finds poetry in everything, from closed chapters to new dresses, and cannot help loving her pupils fiercely.

## Who they are

At nineteen, Anne has traded her own schooldays for a classroom in Avonlea, where she pours her romantic imagination into teaching and helping Marilla raise the newly adopted twins. Her ache over parting with her scholars and her delight in a forget-me-not organdie reveal a heart that feels everything at full volume. As she steps into adulthood, her blend of whimsy and earnest care shapes the village life around her.

## Relationships

### [Davy Keith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_avonlea_se/characters/davy_keith)

_family_

Anne acts as a loving and patient foster mother figure to the mischievous but good-hearted Davy.

### [Mrs. Rachel Lynde](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_avonlea_se/characters/mrs_rachel_lynde)

_friendship_

Anne shares a warm, respectful friendship with the talkative and opinionated neighbor who often advises her.

### [Paul Irving](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_avonlea_se/characters/paul_irving)

_professional_

Anne is Paul's devoted and imaginative teacher, fostering a deep bond through his sensitive and poetic nature.

### [Marilla Cuthbert](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_avonlea_se/characters/marilla_cuthbert)

_family_

Anne has a loving, maternal relationship with Marilla, who raised her and now relies on her as a partner in running Green Gables.

### [Diana Barry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_avonlea_se/characters/diana_barry)

_friendship_

Anne and Diana are inseparable bosom friends, sharing a deep, loyal, and joyful companionship.

### [Charlotta the Fourth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_avonlea_se/characters/charlotta_the_fourth)

_friendship_

Anne has a friendly, slightly amused bond with the chatty and devoted young maid at Echo Lodge.

### [Mr. J. A. Harrison](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_avonlea_se/characters/mr_j_a_harrison)

_friendship_

Anne develops a teasing but cordial friendship with the blunt, eccentric new neighbor Mr. Harrison.

### [Stephen Irving](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_avonlea_se/characters/stephen_irving)

_social_

Anne interacts politely with Paul's wealthy, somewhat distant father during school and community events.

### [Anthony Pye](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_avonlea_se/characters/anthony_pye)

_professional_

Anne struggles to manage the defiant, troublesome student Anthony Pye in her classroom.

### [Gilbert Blythe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_avonlea_se/characters/gilbert_blythe)

_romantic_

Anne and Gilbert share a deepening friendship with underlying romantic tension, moving toward mutual affection.

### [Dora Keith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_avonlea_se/characters/dora_keith)

_family_

Anne gently cares for the well-behaved, quiet Dora as a foster mother figure.

### [Jane Andrews](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_avonlea_se/characters/jane_andrews)

_friendship_

Anne and Jane are friendly former schoolmates, though Jane is more practical and less imaginative than Anne.

## In the story

### [Anne of Avonlea](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_avonlea_se/chapters/anne-of-avonlea)

The protagonist, now a teacher at Avonlea School, balancing her duties with her imaginative spirit.

### [An Irate Neighbour](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_avonlea_se/chapters/i-an-irate-neighbour)

Dreams of her future as a teacher and the influence she might have on her pupils; defends her cow Dolly against Mr. Harrison's complaints; discusses the Village Improvement Society with Mrs. Lynde.

### [Selling in Haste and Repenting at Leisure](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_avonlea_se/chapters/ii-selling-in-haste-and-repenting-at-leisure)

Impulsively sells Mr. Harrison's cow by mistake, then prepares to confess and make amends.

### [Mr. Harrison at Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_avonlea_se/chapters/iii-mr-harrison-at-home)

Visits Mr. Harrison to confess her mistake of selling his cow; feels relieved and happy when forgiven.

### [IV: Different Opinions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_avonlea_se/chapters/iv-different-opinions)

Anxious about her first day of teaching, she firmly opposes corporal punishment and believes in governing by affection, though she is teased by Mr. Harrison and worried by Marilla.

### [A Full-Fledged Schoolma’am](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_avonlea_se/chapters/v-a-full-fledged-schoolma-am)

Anne starts her teaching career, feeling nervous but determined to win over her students, especially Anthony Pye.

### [All Sorts and Conditions of Men… and Women](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_avonlea_se/chapters/vi-all-sorts-and-conditions-of-men-and-women)

Secretary of the A.V.I.S., leads the canvass with enthusiasm and idealism.

### [The Pointing of Duty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_avonlea_se/chapters/vii-the-pointing-of-duty)

Discusses teaching challenges and joys with Gilbert, shares her dream of adding beauty to life, and persuades Marilla to take the Keith twins.

### [Marilla Adopts Twins](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_avonlea_se/chapters/viii-marilla-adopts-twins)

Helps Marilla with the twins; uses gentle talks and comparisons to Paul Irving to guide Davy's behavior.

### [IX: A Question of Colour](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_avonlea_se/chapters/ix-a-question-of-colour)

Defends Mrs. Lynde to Mr. Harrison, discusses the hall painting project, and later despairs over the blue paint mistake.

### [Davy in Search of a Sensation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_avonlea_se/chapters/x-davy-in-search-of-a-sensation)

Walks home through the Birch Path, reflecting on life and dreaming. Leads the search for Dora and confronts Davy about his lies.

### [Facts and Fancies](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_avonlea_se/chapters/xi-facts-and-fancies)

Narrates the chapter through a letter to a Queen's Academy chum, reflecting on the joys and challenges of teaching.

### [A Jonah Day](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_avonlea_se/chapters/xii-a-jonah-day)

Anne has a 'Jonah day' marked by irritability, losing her temper, and whipping Anthony Pye, leading to intense remorse and self-reflection.

### [A Golden Picnic](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_avonlea_se/chapters/xiii-a-golden-picnic)

Organizes the golden picnic, celebrates her birthday in spring, leads the exploration, and reflects on poetry and the soul.

### [A Danger Averted](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_avonlea_se/chapters/xiv-a-danger-averted)

Leads the A.V.I.S. committee to protest Judson Parker's fence rental; overhears Judson accepting a bribe and uses the leverage to secure his reversal.

### [XV: The Beginning of Vacation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_avonlea_se/chapters/xv-the-beginning-of-vacation)

Anne closes the school year, visits Matthew's grave, and walks with Paul Irving, discussing his mother and birthday. Later, she visits Mrs. Allan, reflecting on friendship and her future.

### [XVI: The Substance of Things Hoped For](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_avonlea_se/chapters/xvi-the-substance-of-things-hoped-for)

Excitedly prepares for Mrs. Morgan's visit, plans the dinner menu, and corrects Davy's theological confusion.

### [A Chapter of Accidents](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_avonlea_se/chapters/xvii-a-chapter-of-accidents)

Anne is the hostess, full of excitement and anticipation for Mrs. Morgan's visit, but later deeply disappointed when the visit is cancelled.

### [An Adventure on the Tory Road](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_avonlea_se/chapters/xviii-an-adventure-on-the-tory-road)

Gets stuck in a duck house roof while peering in a window for a willowware platter; endures a thunderstorm with humor and imagination.

### [Just a Happy Day](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_avonlea_se/chapters/xix-just-a-happy-day)

Enjoys a simple, happy day with Diana and the twins, visits Paul Irving, and later talks with Gilbert about community projects.

### [The Way It Often Happens](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_avonlea_se/chapters/xx-the-way-it-often-happens)

Hosts Mrs. Morgan and Mrs. Pendexter, deals with a red nose mishap, and reflects on vanity.

### [Sweet Miss Lavendar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_avonlea_se/chapters/xxi-sweet-miss-lavendar)

Anne and Diana visit Miss Lavendar and enjoy tea; Anne also teaches at Avonlea School and comforts Dora.

### [Odds and Ends](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_avonlea_se/chapters/xxii-odds-and-ends)

Describes Miss Lavendar's appearance and defends her uniqueness; later clears dishes and expresses relief that the twins can stay.

### [Miss Lavendar's Romance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_avonlea_se/chapters/xxiii-miss-lavendar-s-romance)

Visits Miss Lavendar at Echo Lodge, bringing youth and companionship; later brings Paul Irving to meet her.

### [A Prophet in His Own Country](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_avonlea_se/chapters/xxiv-a-prophet-in-his-own-country)

Co-authors the 'Avonlea Notes' with Gilbert, comforts Mr. Harrison after Ginger's death, and helps Marilla board up broken windows.

### [An Avonlea Scandal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_avonlea_se/chapters/xxv-an-avonlea-scandal)

Grieves the storm's damage to flowers, encounters Mrs. Harrison, and learns of Mr. Harrison's marital history.

### [Around the Bend](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_avonlea_se/chapters/xxvi-around-the-bend)

Anne is torn between joy at the prospect of college and regret at leaving Avonlea; she resigns from teaching and reflects on her future.

### [An Afternoon at the Stone House](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_avonlea_se/chapters/xxvii-an-afternoon-at-the-stone-house)

Visits Echo Lodge with Paul, picks strawberries with Charlotta, and resolves to spend a week cheering Miss Lavendar.

### [The Prince Comes Back to the Enchanted Palace](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_avonlea_se/chapters/xxviii-the-prince-comes-back-to-the-enchanted-palace)

Visits Echo Lodge, helps reunite Miss Lavendar and Stephen Irving, and reflects on her teaching career.

### [Poetry and Prose](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_avonlea_se/chapters/xxix-poetry-and-prose)

Anne is deeply involved in Miss Lavendar's wedding preparations and Diana's engagement, reflecting on romance and her own future.

### [A Wedding at the Stone House](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_avonlea_se/chapters/xxx-a-wedding-at-the-stone-house)

Helps prepare for Miss Lavendar's wedding; reflects on change and her feelings for Gilbert.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_avonlea_se/characters/anne_shirley
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_avonlea_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_avonlea_se/characters