Anne of the Island · Chapter
The Way of Transgressors explained
Davy Keith, feeling rebellious against Mrs.
What happens
Davy Keith, feeling rebellious against Mrs. Lynde's strictures, decides to skip Sunday School and church, leading his reluctant sister Dora on a day of mischief with the Cotton children. That night, he confesses his sins to Anne, who helps him understand conscience and forgiveness.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
Anne reaches her emotional and psychological peak here as she confronts the painful aftermath of rejecting Roy…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Coming of Age
Davy tests boundaries and learns about conscience and moral responsibility through his rebellion and subsequent confession.
- Change and Loss
The chapter explores the tension between childhood innocence and the growing awareness of right and wrong.
Characters to notice
- Davy Keith
Rebels against Mrs. Lynde, skips Sunday School, goes fishing, and later confesses his wrongdoings to Anne.
- Dora Keith
Reluctantly follows Davy into mischief, worried about breaking the Sabbath.
- Anne Shirley
Returns home late and tired, comforts Davy after his confession, and teaches him about conscience.
- Mrs. Rachel Lynde
Lame with a twisted ankle, she gives Davy strict instructions before Sunday School.
- Marilla Cuthbert
Has a headache and stays home from church.
Key passages
“I run away from Sunday School—and went fishing with the Cottons—and I told ever so many whoppers to Mrs. Lynde—oh! 'most half a dozen—and—and—I—I said a swear word, Anne—a pretty near swear word, anyhow—and I called God names.”
Davy confesses to Anne that he skipped Sunday School, went fishing, lied to Mrs. Lynde, and used profanity.
Davy's confession reveals the extent of his rebellion and his guilt.
“It's something in you, Davy, that always tells you when you are doing wrong and makes you unhappy if you persist in doing it.”
Anne explains that conscience is an inner guide that signals wrongdoing and causes unhappiness.
Anne's explanation helps Davy understand his feelings of misery after misbehaving.
