# Philippa Gordon — Anne of the Island character guide > Philippa Gordon in Anne of the Island by L. M. Montgomery. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Phil, Gordon, Phil Gordon, Miss Phil, the real Phil, Philippa, Philippa Gordon⁠—Phil **First appearance:** 0003-i-the-shadow-of-change ## Snapshot Anne's dazzling, scatterbrained Redmond friend, pursued by two devoted suitors and utterly unable to choose between them. ## Who they are Phil is the pretty, spoiled, irresistible Gordon of Bolingbroke, whose beaux Alec and Alonzo trail her through a summer of drives, dances, and what she calls jamborees. She cheerfully depends on Anne to decide whom she should marry, then protests that choosing for oneself is a very different matter. Through her, Anne sees both the gaiety of college life and the loneliness underneath it, and Phil's teasing about Gilbert forces Anne to name what she is avoiding. ## Relationships ### [Anne Shirley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_the_island_se/characters/anne_shirley) _friendship_ Anne and Philippa share a close, lively friendship at Redmond College, with Philippa's flirtatious nature contrasting Anne's romantic idealism. ### [Anne Shirley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_the_island_se/characters/anne_shirley) _friendship_ Anne and Philippa share a close, lively friendship at Redmond College, with Philippa's flirtatious nature contrasting Anne's romantic idealism. ### [Anne Shirley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_the_island_se/characters/anne_shirley) _friendship_ Anne and Philippa share a close, lively friendship at Redmond College, with Philippa's flirtatious nature contrasting Anne's romantic idealism. ## In the story ### [April's Lady](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_the_island_se/chapters/iv-april-s-lady) Introduced as a pretty, vivacious girl from Bolingbroke, Nova Scotia; she is indecisive but friendly and quickly bonds with Anne and Priscilla. ### [Letters from Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_the_island_se/chapters/v-letters-from-home) Phil becomes Anne's close friend, admired for her charm and loyalty, though she feels inferior to Anne. ### [In the Park](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_the_island_se/chapters/vi-in-the-park) Joins the walk reluctantly as a 'gooseberry,' shares a story about mixing up letters to Alec and Alonzo, and points out Patty's Place. ### [Home Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_the_island_se/chapters/vii-home-again) Writes a letter to Anne about her holiday with Alec and Alonzo, unable to decide whom to marry. ### [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) Mentioned as commenting on the speed of the term; popular among Redmond youth. ### [Patty's Place](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_the_island_se/chapters/x-patty-s-place) Eagerly joins the Patty's Place household, promising to adapt to simple living and abide by the Friday-evening rule. ### [XVI: Adjusted Relationships](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_the_island_se/chapters/xvi-adjusted-relationships) Expresses delight at Patty's Place, still undecided between Alec and Alonzo. ### [A Letter from Davy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_the_island_se/chapters/xvii-a-letter-from-davy) Comments on the beauty of snowflakes and the simplicity of domestic life, having just returned from marketing. ### [An Interlude](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_the_island_se/chapters/xix-an-interlude) Dressed for a dance in creamy yellow silk, Phil jokes about her suitors and her future marriage. ### [Gilbert Speaks](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_the_island_se/chapters/xx-gilbert-speaks) Teases Anne about refusing Gilbert, offers blunt advice, and lightens the mood with her carefree attitude. ### [Roses of Yesterday](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_the_island_se/chapters/xxi-roses-of-yesterday) Hosts Anne at Mount Holly and accompanies her on the visit to the Shirley house. ### [Enter Jonas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_the_island_se/chapters/xxiv-enter-jonas) Writes a letter to Anne from Prospect Point, describing her summer experiences and her complex feelings about Jonas Blake. ### [Enter Prince Charming](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_the_island_se/chapters/xxv-enter-prince-charming) Phil teases Anne about the roses from Roy Gardner and reveals she knows of the wealthy Gardner family. ### [XXVI: Enter Christine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_the_island_se/chapters/xxvi-enter-christine) Admires Anne's dress, discusses Jonas Blake's feelings, and mentions Gilbert's involvement with Christine Stuart. ### [XXVII: Mutual Confidences](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_the_island_se/chapters/xxvii-mutual-confidences) Announces her engagement to Jonas Blake, expresses happiness, and discusses her plans to live simply in the slums. ### [XXXI: Anne to Philippa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_the_island_se/chapters/xxxi-anne-to-philippa) Recipient of Anne's letter. ### [The Last Redmond Year Opens](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_the_island_se/chapters/xxxv-the-last-redmond-year-opens) Returns joyfully, announces her engagement to Jonas Blake, and discusses her family's reaction. ### [The Gardners’ Call](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_the_island_se/chapters/xxxvi-the-gardners-call) Phil distributes mail, suggests a wild revel for Anne's earnings, and helps save the visit with small talk. ### [Full-Fledged B.A.'s](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_the_island_se/chapters/xxxvii-full-fledged-b-a-s) Takes Honours in Mathematics, worries about exams, and shares the news of Gilbert's rumored engagement with Anne. ### [False Dawn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_the_island_se/chapters/xxxviii-false-dawn) Confronts Anne about the refusal, initially scolds her but later comforts her. ### [Deals with Weddings](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_the_island_se/chapters/xxxix-deals-with-weddings) Writes to Anne about her engagement to Jonas Blake and her happiness. ### [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) Phil's letter to Gilbert, revealing there was nothing between Anne and Roy, spurred his recovery and decision to propose. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_the_island_se/characters/philippa_gordon - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_the_island_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_the_island_se/characters