# Gilbert Blythe — Anne of the Island character guide > Gilbert Blythe in Anne of the Island by L. M. Montgomery. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Gilbert, Gilbert Blythe, Blythe, XX Gilbert Speaks **First appearance:** 0002-anne-of-the-island ## Snapshot Anne's old school rival turned devoted friend, now a medical student whose patient love she keeps refusing to see. ## Who they are Gilbert has loved Anne since Avonlea, but she insists she can give him only friendship, and the two drift into an awkward, half-silent estrangement. He writes to Diana but not to Anne, and his mother's tactless questions about him make Anne blush in public. Miss Lavendar and nearly everyone else tells Anne she was made for Gilbert; his steady, unglamorous devotion is the quiet counterweight to every other suitor in the book. ## Relationships ### [Anne Shirley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_the_island_se/characters/anne_shirley) _romantic_ Anne and Gilbert's relationship evolves from rivalry to deep romantic love, culminating in their engagement at the end of the novel. ### [Anne Shirley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_the_island_se/characters/anne_shirley) _romantic_ Anne and Gilbert's relationship evolves from rivalry to deep romantic love, culminating in their engagement at the end of the novel. ### [Anne Shirley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_the_island_se/characters/anne_shirley) _romantic_ Anne and Gilbert's relationship evolves from rivalry to deep romantic love, culminating in their engagement at the end of the novel. ## In the story ### [Anne of the Island](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_the_island_se/chapters/anne-of-the-island) Anne's classmate and rival, also attends Redmond. ### [The Shadow of Change](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_the_island_se/chapters/i-the-shadow-of-change) Meets Anne on the bridge and attempts a romantic gesture, which Anne rebuffs, causing tension in their friendship. ### [II: Garlands of Autumn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_the_island_se/chapters/ii-garlands-of-autumn) Comforts Anne after her discouragement, walks with her in the woods, and is observed by Mrs. Lynde as a potential match. ### [Greeting and Farewell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_the_island_se/chapters/iii-greeting-and-farewell) Travels with Anne to Kingsport; provides unsentimental company on the boat. ### [Letters from Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_the_island_se/chapters/v-letters-from-home) Gilbert is elected Freshman class president and invited to join the Lambs, demonstrating his leadership and popularity. ### [In the Park](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_the_island_se/chapters/vi-in-the-park) Walks with Anne, quotes poetry, discusses sorrow and joy, and suggests walking by Spofford Avenue. ### [Home Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_the_island_se/chapters/vii-home-again) Mentioned as one of the leaders in Freshman classes alongside Anne and Philippa. ### [An Unwelcome Lover and a Welcome Friend](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_the_island_se/chapters/ix-an-unwelcome-lover-and-a-welcome-friend) Frequently visits Anne, escorts her to college affairs, and is careful not to reveal his feelings. ### [XII: “Averil’s Atonement”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_the_island_se/chapters/xii-averil-s-atonement) Anne tells him about the story but does not read it to him. ### [XV: A Dream Turned Upside Down](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_the_island_se/chapters/xv-a-dream-turned-upside-down) Gilbert offers a practical, comforting perspective, suggesting the prize money is an honest way to support herself. ### [Miss Josephine Remembers the Anne-Girl](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_the_island_se/chapters/xviii-miss-josephine-remembers-the-anne-girl) Visits Anne faithfully despite the storms, but his intense gaze makes Anne uncomfortable and embarrassed. ### [Gilbert Speaks](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_the_island_se/chapters/xx-gilbert-speaks) Proposes to Anne, is heartbroken by her refusal, and leaves with a bitter sense of loss. ### [Paul Cannot Find the Rock People](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_the_island_se/chapters/xxiii-paul-cannot-find-the-rock-people) Gilbert is absent from Avonlea, and Anne misses him, though she denies it. He does not write to her. ### [Enter Prince Charming](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_the_island_se/chapters/xxv-enter-prince-charming) Gilbert visits Patty's Place on Friday evenings, is in good spirits, and treats Anne with polite courtesy, but the old camaraderie is gone. ### [XXVI: Enter Christine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_the_island_se/chapters/xxvi-enter-christine) Reported to be going about with Christine Stuart; seen at the reception talking to her. ### [XXVII: Mutual Confidences](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_the_island_se/chapters/xxvii-mutual-confidences) Mentioned in Anne's thoughts as someone who would see a joke, contrasting with Roy's lack of humor. ### [Diana's Wedding](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_the_island_se/chapters/xxix-diana-s-wedding) Escorts Anne to the parlour, walks her home, and suggests a stroll through Lovers' Lane. ### [Full-Fledged B.A.'s](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_the_island_se/chapters/xxxvii-full-fledged-b-a-s) Sends Anne lilies-of-the-valley for Convocation; rumored to be engaged to Christine Stuart. ### [A Book of Revelation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_the_island_se/chapters/xl-a-book-of-revelation) Critically ill with typhoid fever; his condition improves by morning. ### [Love Takes Up the Glass of Time](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_the_island_se/chapters/xli-love-takes-up-the-glass-of-time) Gilbert persists in his dream of a life with Anne, proposes again, and reveals he never loved Christine Stuart. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_the_island_se/characters/gilbert_blythe - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_the_island_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_the_island_se/characters