# Matthew Cuthbert — Anne of Green Gables character guide > Matthew Cuthbert in Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Matthew, Mr. Matthew Cuthbert, Mr. Cuthbert, Mattie Andrews **First appearance:** 0001-ii-matthew-cuthbert-is-surprised ## Snapshot A shy, silent farmer who dreads talking to women and yet, within an hour of meeting Anne, cannot imagine sending her back. ## Who they are Matthew lives at the far edge of the cleared land, as far from neighbors as a man can get without retreating into the woods, and lets Marilla handle every difficult word. He is the one who goes to the station for a boy and comes home with Anne, and he never once considers it a mistake. His quiet, immediate loyalty gives Anne her first experience of being chosen. ## Relationships ### [Anne Shirley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_green_gables_se/characters/anne_shirley) _family_ Matthew is Anne's gentle, adoring father figure who immediately cherishes her and supports her dreams. ### [Marilla Cuthbert](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_green_gables_se/characters/marilla_cuthbert) _family_ Marilla and Matthew are brother and sister who run Green Gables together, with Marilla as the practical head and Matthew as the quiet, kind counterpart. ### [Diana Barry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_green_gables_se/characters/diana_barry) _social_ Diana is fond of shy, kind Matthew, who treats her warmly as Anne's best friend. ### [Marilla Cuthbert](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_green_gables_se/characters/marilla_cuthbert) _family_ Marilla and Matthew are brother and sister who run Green Gables together, with Marilla as the practical head and Matthew as the quiet, kind counterpart. ### [Anne Shirley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_green_gables_se/characters/anne_shirley) _family_ Matthew is Anne's gentle, adoring father figure who immediately cherishes her and supports her dreams. ### [Anne Shirley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_green_gables_se/characters/anne_shirley) _family_ Matthew is Anne's gentle, adoring father figure who immediately cherishes her and supports her dreams. ### [Marilla Cuthbert](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_green_gables_se/characters/marilla_cuthbert) _family_ Marilla and Matthew are brother and sister who run Green Gables together, with Marilla as the practical head and Matthew as the quiet, kind counterpart. ### [Diana Barry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_green_gables_se/characters/diana_barry) _social_ Diana is fond of shy, kind Matthew, who treats her warmly as Anne's best friend. ### [Diana Barry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_green_gables_se/characters/diana_barry) _social_ Diana is fond of shy, kind Matthew, who treats her warmly as Anne's best friend. ## In the story ### [Mrs. Rachel Lynde Is Surprised](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_green_gables_se/chapters/i-mrs-rachel-lynde-is-surprised) Mentioned as a shy, silent man who rarely leaves home. His unusual departure in his best suit and buggy sparks Mrs. Rachel's curiosity. ### [Matthew Cuthbert Is Surprised](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_green_gables_se/chapters/ii-matthew-cuthbert-is-surprised) Shy and awkward, Matthew dreads interacting with women and is flustered by the mistake at the station. He feels a protective sympathy for Anne and decides to let Marilla handle the situation. ### [III: Marilla Cuthbert Is Surprised](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_green_gables_se/chapters/iii-marilla-cuthbert-is-surprised) Brings Anne home despite the mistake; quietly advocates for keeping her, finding her interesting; smokes to relieve his perturbation. ### [Morning at Green Gables](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_green_gables_se/chapters/iv-morning-at-green-gables) Silently supports keeping Anne, as shown by his hiring Jerry Buote for the summer, and shares a kindred spirit with Anne. ### [Anne’s History](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_green_gables_se/chapters/v-anne-s-history) Mentioned as being set on keeping Anne, influencing Marilla's thoughts. ### [Marilla Makes Up Her Mind](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_green_gables_se/chapters/vi-marilla-makes-up-her-mind) Quietly supports keeping Anne; his relief is evident when Marilla brings her back. ### [Anne Says Her Prayers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_green_gables_se/chapters/vii-anne-says-her-prayers) Present in the kitchen at the end, silently observing Marilla's exasperation with Anne's spiritual ignorance. ### [Anne’s Bringing-Up Is Begun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_green_gables_se/chapters/viii-anne-s-bringing-up-is-begun) Mentioned as having decided with Marilla to keep Anne, though he does not appear directly in this chapter. ### [Mrs. Rachel Lynde Is Properly Horrified](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_green_gables_se/chapters/ix-mrs-rachel-lynde-is-properly-horrified) Listens to Anne's discoveries with silent enjoyment, though he is not directly involved in the confrontation. ### [Anne's Apology](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_green_gables_se/chapters/x-anne-s-apology) Matthew secretly visits Anne in her room and gently persuades her to apologize, showing his quiet support and affection. ### [XII: A Solemn Vow and Promise](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_green_gables_se/chapters/xii-a-solemn-vow-and-promise) Quietly brings Anne chocolate from Carmody, adding to her happiness. ### [XIII: The Delights of Anticipation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_green_gables_se/chapters/xiii-the-delights-of-anticipation) Listens sympathetically to Anne's chatter about the picnic; Marilla thinks he is infatuated with Anne. ### [XIV: Anne's Confession](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_green_gables_se/chapters/xiv-anne-s-confession) Sympathizes with Anne but is torn between his sense of justice and his affection for her, offering weak defenses on her behalf. ### [Diana Is Invited to Tea with Tragic Results](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_green_gables_se/chapters/xvi-diana-is-invited-to-tea-with-tragic-results) Matthew is mentioned as being late for tea due to hauling potatoes, and he is kind to Anne when she forgets tasks. ### [Anne to the Rescue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_green_gables_se/chapters/xviii-anne-to-the-rescue) Keeps house with Anne; dozes over the Farmers' Advocate; goes to Spencervale for the doctor. ### [XIX: A Concert, a Catastrophe, and a Confession](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_green_gables_se/chapters/xix-a-concert-a-catastrophe-and-a-confession) Firmly advocates for Anne to attend the concert, showing his understanding of her. ### [Anne Is Invited Out to Tea](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_green_gables_se/chapters/xxii-anne-is-invited-out-to-tea) Matthew's prediction of rain causes Anne great worry, though the day turns out fine. ### [Anne Comes to Grief in an Affair of Honour](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_green_gables_se/chapters/xxiii-anne-comes-to-grief-in-an-affair-of-honour) Summoned from the harvest field to fetch the doctor for Anne. ### [Miss Stacy and Her Pupils Get Up a Concert](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_green_gables_se/chapters/xxiv-miss-stacy-and-her-pupils-get-up-a-concert) A sympathetic and appreciative listener to Anne's excited talk about the concert. He supports her and is glad he is not responsible for her upbringing. ### [Matthew Insists on Puffed Sleeves](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_green_gables_se/chapters/xxv-matthew-insists-on-puffed-sleeves) Notices Anne's plain clothing compared to other girls and secretly arranges for a new dress with puffed sleeves as a Christmas gift. ### [The Story Club Is Formed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_green_gables_se/chapters/xxvi-the-story-club-is-formed) Anne reads her story to Matthew, who says it is 'fine.' ### [Vanity and Vexation of Spirit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_green_gables_se/chapters/xxvii-vanity-and-vexation-of-spirit) Patiently waits for tea and defends Anne, suggesting there may be an explanation. ### [An Unfortunate Lily Maid](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_green_gables_se/chapters/xxviii-an-unfortunate-lily-maid) Quietly encourages Anne to keep a little romance in her life despite her resolve to be more sensible. ### [An Epoch in Anne's Life](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_green_gables_se/chapters/xxix-an-epoch-in-anne-s-life) Matthew is present at the fireside as Anne recounts her adventures. ### [Where the Brook and River Meet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_green_gables_se/chapters/xxxi-where-the-brook-and-river-meet) Matthew comforts Marilla about Anne's upcoming absence, still seeing her as the little girl from Bright River. ### [The Pass List Is Out](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_green_gables_se/chapters/xxxii-the-pass-list-is-out) Proudly declares Anne would 'beat them all easy' and is delighted by her success. ### [The Hotel Concert](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_green_gables_se/chapters/xxxiii-the-hotel-concert) Proud of Anne's honor; mentioned as hoping for an encore. ### [A Queen's Girl](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_green_gables_se/chapters/xxxiv-a-queen-s-girl) Matthew drives Anne to town, reflects proudly on Anne's growth, and believes her arrival was providential. ### [The Glory and the Dream](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_green_gables_se/chapters/xxxvi-the-glory-and-the-dream) Shows signs of heart trouble and aging; expresses pride in Anne's achievement. ### [XXXVII: The Reaper Whose Name Is Death](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_green_gables_se/chapters/xxxvii-the-reaper-whose-name-is-death) Dies suddenly from a heart attack after news of the Abbey Bank failure. ### [The Bend in the Road](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_green_gables_se/chapters/xxxviii-the-bend-in-the-road) Mentioned as Anne visits his grave to place fresh flowers. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_green_gables_se/characters/matthew_cuthbert - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_green_gables_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_green_gables_se/characters