Anne of Avonlea · Character

Davy Keith

An eight-year-old whirlwind of questions, mischief, and accidental theology, adopted into Green Gables and incapable of sitting still.

supporting

Also known as Davy, David

First appearance: Marilla Adopts Twins

As a supporting figure in Anne of Avonlea, Davy Keith is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

A mischievous twin boy who comes to live at Green Gables, often causing trouble.

In the storyAnne of AvonleaOpen this moment free

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Davy arrives at Green Gables newly motherless, all perpetual motion and unfiltered commentary, forever tugging Dora's curls or sneaking onto forbidden tables. He wants to be good but finds there are simply too many corners of a fellow to remember, and his cheerful confessions about zacksidents and courting keep the household in uproar. His unpolished honesty and hungry affection test Marilla's patience and Anne's pedagogy, making him the comic and moral engine of the Avonlea years.

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See Davy Keith in Marilla Adopts Twins

Character Web

33 connections

A slice of how Davy Keith sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Family
Other

Character groups

Avonlea community members
Protagonist
Extended community and visitors
Friends and acquaintances

+28 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This chapter is the dramatic climax because it marks the peak of Anne and Gilbert’s covert collaboration, reve…

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Relationships

Anne Shirley
family · positive
Anne acts as a loving and patient foster mother figure to the mischievous but… How this plays out →
Marilla Cuthbert
family · ambivalent
Dora Keith
family · positive
Paul Irving
friendship · positive
Anne Shirley
family · positive
Anne acts as a loving and patient foster mother figure to the mischievous but… How this plays out →
Anne Shirley
family · positive
Anne acts as a loving and patient foster mother figure to the mischievous but… How this plays out →
Marilla Cuthbert
family · ambivalent
Marilla Cuthbert
family · ambivalent
Dora Keith
family · positive
Paul Irving
friendship · positive
Dora Keith
family · positive
Paul Irving
friendship · positive

Anne Shirley
Anne acts as a loving and patient foster mother figure to the mischievous but good-hearted Davy.
Marilla Cuthbert
Davy constantly tests Marilla's patience with his pranks, but she cares for him sternly yet affectionately as a guardian.
Dora Keith
Davy and Dora are twins with a close sibling relationship, contrasting his wildness with her prim obedience.
Paul Irving
Davy and Paul are schoolmates and friends, with Davy often dragging the imaginative Paul into mischief.
Anne Shirley
Anne acts as a loving and patient foster mother figure to the mischievous but good-hearted Davy.
Anne Shirley
Anne acts as a loving and patient foster mother figure to the mischievous but good-hearted Davy.
Marilla Cuthbert
Davy constantly tests Marilla's patience with his pranks, but she cares for him sternly yet affectionately as a guardian.
Marilla Cuthbert
Davy constantly tests Marilla's patience with his pranks, but she cares for him sternly yet affectionately as a guardian.
Dora Keith
Davy and Dora are twins with a close sibling relationship, contrasting his wildness with her prim obedience.
Paul Irving
Davy and Paul are schoolmates and friends, with Davy often dragging the imaginative Paul into mischief.
Dora Keith
Davy and Dora are twins with a close sibling relationship, contrasting his wildness with her prim obedience.
Paul Irving
Davy and Paul are schoolmates and friends, with Davy often dragging the imaginative Paul into mischief.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Davy Keith in Marilla Adopts Twins

In the story

Davy Keith appears across 15 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Anne of Avonlea
A mischievous twin boy who comes to live at Green Gables, often causing trouble.
The Pointing of Duty
One of the Keith twins; Marilla describes him as a 'limb' and worries about his mischievous nature.
Marilla Adopts Twins
Mischievous twin who drops a caterpillar in church, makes Dora walk a pigpen fence, and puts a toad in Marilla's bed; shows affection but is constantly in trouble.
IX: A Question of Colour
Mentioned for his mischievous behavior, including pulling feathers from Ginger and asking about the dark.
Davy in Search of a Sensation
Locks Dora in Mr. Harrison's tool-house for a scare, then lies about it. Shows remorse only after seeing Anne cry, and promises to stop telling falsehoods.
A Jonah Day
Davy is present at the supper table, eating four plum puffs, contributing to Anne's improved mood.
A Danger Averted
Mentioned as having improved in manners since arriving at Green Gables.
XVI: The Substance of Things Hoped For
Expresses hunger, shares his mistaken belief about heaven being in Simon Fletcher's garret, and negotiates good behavior for a future picnic.
A Chapter of Accidents
Davy accidentally knocks the conch shell down the stairs, breaking Miss Barry's platter, and is sent upstairs as punishment.
An Adventure on the Tory Road
Asks Anne philosophical questions about sleep and dreams before she leaves for Diana's.
The Way It Often Happens
Discusses goodness with Marilla and plans to help Mr. Harrison haul dulse.
Sweet Miss Lavendar
Davy starts school and reports his experiences to Marilla, including his seatmate Milty Boulter.
Odds and Ends
Misbehaves at breakfast by licking his plate and squirming; later delighted to hear he can stay at Green Gables.
A Prophet in His Own Country
Frightened by the storm, he hides his face in Anne's lap; later he boasts about his bravery and mourns his ruined garden.
An Avonlea Scandal
Shows affection for Anne with a sticky kiss and a sentimental slate message.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Davy Keith unlock in the free preview.

See Davy Keith in Marilla Adopts Twins

See Davy Keith in Anne of Avonlea