# Change and Loss in Anne of the Island

> Theme guide for Anne of the Island by L. M. Montgomery.

The narrative deals with the inevitability of change, including the loss of childhood innocence, the death of friends like Ruby Gillis, and the transformation of familiar places and relationships as characters grow older.

## Where it surfaces

- [The Shadow of Change](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_the_island_se/chapters/i-the-shadow-of-change): The chapter is steeped in the melancholy of autumn and the impending separation from home and friends, emphasizing the bittersweet nature of transition.
- [II: Garlands of Autumn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_the_island_se/chapters/ii-garlands-of-autumn): The chapter marks the end of Anne's Avonlea childhood as she prepares to leave for college, with farewells and nostalgic walks.
- [Greeting and Farewell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_the_island_se/chapters/iii-greeting-and-farewell): Anne grapples with leaving Green Gables and the end of her girlhood, feeling that things will never be the same.
- [Home Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_the_island_se/chapters/vii-home-again): The contrast between Anne's new life at Redmond and the enduring, yet changed, home at Green Gables.
- [The Round of Life](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_the_island_se/chapters/xi-the-round-of-life): The chapter is steeped in the awareness of change: old faces missing from church, Billy Andrews married, and most poignantly, Ruby Gillis's unrecognized decline. Anne and Diana walk through a beautiful spring evening while contemplating the fragility of life.
- [The Way of Transgressors](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_the_island_se/chapters/xiii-the-way-of-transgressors): The chapter explores the tension between childhood innocence and the growing awareness of right and wrong.
- [XIV: The Summons](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_the_island_se/chapters/xiv-the-summons): Ruby's impending death marks the first loss among Anne's schoolmates, emphasizing the inevitability of change.
- [Miss Josephine Remembers the Anne-Girl](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_the_island_se/chapters/xviii-miss-josephine-remembers-the-anne-girl): The chapter reflects on the loss of Ruby Gillis, Miss Josephine Barry's death, and the changing dynamics in Anne's relationships, especially with Gilbert.
- [Gilbert Speaks](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_the_island_se/chapters/xx-gilbert-speaks): Anne feels the loss of Gilbert's friendship and her 'world tumbling into pieces,' marking a significant emotional shift.
- [Spring and Anne Return to Green Gables](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_the_island_se/chapters/xxii-spring-and-anne-return-to-green-gables): Marilla reflects on her past and the transformative impact Anne has had on her life.
- [Paul Cannot Find the Rock People](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_the_island_se/chapters/xxiii-paul-cannot-find-the-rock-people): Anne feels a sense of something missing with Gilbert's absence, and Paul mourns the change in his imaginary friends, highlighting the inevitability of change.
- [A June Evening](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_the_island_se/chapters/xxviii-a-june-evening): Anne mourns the end of her close companionship with Diana as marriage approaches, and reflects on the inevitability of growing up and change.
- [Diana's Wedding](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_the_island_se/chapters/xxix-diana-s-wedding): Anne feels the bittersweet passage of time as Diana marries and she herself begins to feel like a stranger in Avonlea.
- [Tea with Mrs. Douglas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_the_island_se/chapters/xxxii-tea-with-mrs-douglas): Mrs. Douglas's emphasis on her own frailty and impending death underscores themes of aging and the transition of care from mother to wife.
- [XXXIII: “He Just Kept Coming and Coming”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_the_island_se/chapters/xxxiii-he-just-kept-coming-and-coming): Janet's fear of losing John and the emotional turmoil of her fortieth birthday underscore the theme of change and the passage of time.
- [John Douglas Speaks at Last](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_the_island_se/chapters/xxxiv-john-douglas-speaks-at-last): Mrs. Douglas's death brings a significant change, freeing John and Janet from a long-standing promise and altering the dynamics of the household.
- [The Last Redmond Year Opens](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_the_island_se/chapters/xxxv-the-last-redmond-year-opens): The girls face their final year at Redmond, marking the end of an era, and Stella expresses feelings of discouragement and uncertainty about the future.
- [Full-Fledged B.A.'s](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_the_island_se/chapters/xxxvii-full-fledged-b-a-s): The end of Redmond life marks a significant transition, and Anne experiences a pang of loss upon hearing of Gilbert's rumored engagement.
- [False Dawn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_the_island_se/chapters/xxxviii-false-dawn): The chapter marks the end of Anne's Redmond life and her departure from Patty's Place, symbolizing the loss of a cherished era.
- [Deals with Weddings](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_the_island_se/chapters/xxxix-deals-with-weddings): Anne feels the loss of her college life, the Snow Queen tree, and her old friendship with Diana as she faces a changed world.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_the_island_se/themes/change_and_loss
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/anne_of_the_island_se/themes