Anne of Green Gables

Main characters

• Anne Shirley

  An imaginative, talkative, red-headed orphan who comes to live with unmarried siblings Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert.

• Marilla Cuthbert

  Matthew's sister, she is an austere woman who tries to subdue Anne's imaginative, unusual ways. Though she is conservative in her rules, she does love Anne and has the glimmerings of a sense of humour and a hidden soft side.

• Matthew Cuthbert

  Marilla's brother, a shy, awkward man who takes a liking to Anne from the start. The two become fast friends. He is a good listener. Because Marilla has primary responsibility for rearing the girl, he feels no qualms about "spoiling" her and indulging her in pretty clothes and other frivolities.

• Diana Barry

  Anne's bosom friend and kindred spirit. Anne and Diana become best friends from the moment they meet. She is the only girl of Anne's age who lives close to Green Gables. Anne admires Diana for being pretty and for her amiable disposition. Diana lacks Anne's powerful imagination but is a loyal friend.

• Gilbert Blythe

  A handsome classmate who tried to get Anne's attention by pulling her hair and calling her "Carrots" (unaware of her sensitivity about her red hair). Anne reacted by refusing to have anything to do with him for the next few years. Although Gilbert repeatedly apologized, Anne rebuffed him for years. However, Gilbert never abandoned his quest for her friendship (and eventually, love). Anne finally forgave him at the end of the book, when he gave up his job as teacher at the Avonlea school for her, to enable her to live at Green Gables with Marilla.

• Mrs Rachel Lynde

  A neighbour of Matthew and Marilla, and the nosiest person in town. She soon warms to the freckle-faced orphan. She is industrious and helpful, and does work for the church. She is married and has raised ten children, but her husband, Thomas Lynde, is mentioned briefly and never speaks.

• Miss Muriel Stacy

  Anne's energetic new teacher. Her warm and sympathetic nature appeals to her students, but Avonlea's conservative parents disapprove of her liberal teaching methods. She forms a special relationship with Anne, who views her as a mentor. Miss Stacy encourages Anne to develop her character and intellect, and helps prepare her for the entrance exam at Queen's College, where she comes joint first with Gilbert Blythe.

• Josie Pye

  A classmate generally disliked by the other girls (as are her siblings). Josie is vain, dishonest and jealous of Anne's popularity.

• Jane Andrews

  One of Anne's friends from school, she is plain and sensible. She does well enough academically to join Anne's class at Queen's.

• Ruby Gillis

  Another of Anne's friends. Having several "grown up" sisters, Ruby loves to share her knowledge of beaus with her friends. Ruby is portrayed as traditionally beautiful with long, golden hair, she suffers from hysteria.

• Reverend & Mrs Allan

  The minister and his wife also befriend Anne, with Mrs Allan becomes particularly close. She is described as pretty.

• Minnie May Barry

  Diana's baby sister, whose life is saved by Anne when she comes down with croup.

• Mr & Mrs Barry

  Diana's parents. Mr Barry farms, and, near the end of the book, offers to rent some tracts to help out Anne and Marilla Cuthbert. Mrs Barry has a severe personality, expecting her children to follow strict rules. After Anne accidentally gets Diana drunk, Mrs Barry rejects the girl until she saves Minnie May.

• Miss Josephine Barry

  Diana's aunt. Initially portrayed with negative aspects, she is charmed by Anne's imagination, and eventually invites her to tea.

• Mr Phillips

  Anne's first teacher at Avonlea, whom she despises (he spelled Anne's name without an 'E', among other things). She refuses to attend school for a long time, after Mr Phillips punished only her among 12 pupils who arrived late. He is described as lacking discipline and courts one of his pupils (less frowned upon then than in contemporary times).