# Mrs. Rachel Lynde — Anne of Avonlea character guide

> Mrs. Rachel Lynde in Anne of Avonlea by L. M. Montgomery.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mrs. Rachel, Rachel Lynde

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

## Who they are

Avonlea's blunt-tongued oracle of opinion, whose forty-five-year friendship with Marilla makes her the unlikely hinge on which Anne's college hopes swing.

## Relationships

### [Anne Shirley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_avonlea_se/characters/anne_shirley)

_friendship_

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

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

_friendship_

Marilla and Rachel share a long-standing, practical friendship built on neighborly gossip and mutual support.

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

_social_

Mrs. Lynde is a kindly neighbor who takes an interest in Paul, often fussing over him.

### [Anne Shirley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_avonlea_se/characters/anne_shirley)

_friendship_

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

### [Anne Shirley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_avonlea_se/characters/anne_shirley)

_friendship_

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

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

_friendship_

Marilla and Rachel share a long-standing, practical friendship built on neighborly gossip and mutual support.

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

_social_

Mrs. Lynde is a kindly neighbor who takes an interest in Paul, often fussing over him.

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

_friendship_

Marilla and Rachel share a long-standing, practical friendship built on neighborly gossip and mutual support.

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

_social_

Mrs. Lynde is a kindly neighbor who takes an interest in Paul, often fussing over him.

## In the story

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

Visits Green Gables and shares news about Priscilla Grant teaching at Carmody; discusses the Village Improvement Society and warns Anne about the difficulties of improving Avonlea.

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

Mrs. Lynde offers encouragement to Anne after the first day, reporting that most children liked her.

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

Observes the arrival of the twins from her window; comments on Marilla's new challenge.

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

Is criticized by Mr. Harrison but defended by Anne; she discovers the blue paint and spreads the news.

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

Discusses local affairs and the Ladies' Aid bazaar with Anne; provides commentary on the Cotton family and Uncle Abe's weather predictions.

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

Mentioned as being tied home caring for Thomas Lynde and feeling downhearted.

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

Relays the gossip about Mr. Harrison's wife and expresses approval of Mrs. Harrison.

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

Mrs. Lynde is widowed and faces financial hardship; she gratefully accepts Marilla's offer of a home at Green Gables.

## Links

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