Anne of the Island by L. M. Montgomery
"Anne of the Island" is the third book in L. M. Montgomery's beloved "Anne of Green Gables" series, following the adventures of Anne Shirley as she transitions from her childhood in Avonlea to her college years at Redmond. The novel centers around Anne's experiences with friendship, love, and self-discovery as she navigates the complexities of young adulthood. Alongside her friends Priscilla Grant and Philippa Gordon, Anne rents a cottage known as Patty's Place, where they explore their aspirations and relationships.
A significant theme in the novel is courtship, as Anne receives multiple marriage proposals, including one from her childhood friend Gilbert Blythe, whom she initially rejects. As she grapples with her romantic ideals, Anne learns to appreciate deeper connections beyond superficial attractions. The story also highlights her academic achievements, as she earns scholarships and begins her writing career, creating a blend of humor and poignant moments, particularly through the letters of Davy and Rachel Lynde.
As the narrative unfolds, Anne's relationships evolve, and she ultimately realizes her enduring love for Gilbert. The novel concludes with a heartfelt proposal from Gilbert, leaving readers with a sense of hope and the promise of future happiness, set against the backdrop of personal growth and the trials of young love.
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Anne of the Island by L. M. Montgomery
Excerpted from an article in Magill’s Survey of World Literature, Revised Edition
First published: 1915
Type of work: Novel
The Work
As Anne of the Island begins, Anne half-reluctantly leaves Avonlea. Fortunately, Priscilla Grant and Gilbert Blythe are also traveling to Redmond. Anne and Priscilla soon meet Philippa Gordon, whose major personality trait is inability to decide anything. These three and Stella, a friend from Queen’s College, decide the next year they will rent a house with Stella’s Aunt Jamesina as their housekeeper and chaperone. Anne notices a “To Let” sign on Patty’s Place, a quaint cottage in an exclusive neighborhood. When the girls inquire, Anne’s impetuous declaration that she “loves” the house causes Miss Patty to rent it to them at a reduced price, and Anne happily heads for Avonlea.
In Avonlea, though, Anne no longer feels completely at home. After all her romantic dreams about her first marriage proposal, she is astounded when a childhood friend proposes for her brother. Courtship and marriage are a key theme in this novel. Over the next three years, several other proposals follow, including one from Gilbert, but Anne rejects them all. When she meets Roy Gardner, she thinks he is her romantic ideal, and she anticipates accepting his proposal. At that moment, however, she suddenly realizes the superficiality of her girlhood fantasies, so she rejects Roy also.
Meanwhile, Anne succeeds academically, winning a scholarship that funds a year of college. An inheritance from Miss Josephine pays for the remainder. As usual, Anne’s primary competition is Gilbert, but Philippa is also at the head of the class. At year’s end, Philippa finally chooses her husband—a poor clergyman. She acknowledges he does not fit her preconceived ideas, but significantly her answer to Anne’s teasing is that Anne does not know what true love is. For the second time, Anne is a bridesmaid.
Much of the humor in this novel comes from the letters of Davy and Rachel Lynde. Davy continues to ask dozens of outlandish questions, and Mrs. Lynde describes incidents, such as the time the new minister, coming to the back door, is knocked down by a stray hog.
Anne’s writing career begins when she submits a romantic story from her student days in Avonlea. After several rejections, she decides to quit writing, but Diana secretly submits Anne’s story to a contest sponsored by a baking powder company. Anne is humiliated when her story wins first prize and wide publicity; Diana cannot understand Anne’s attitude, especially since she won twenty-five dollars. Later, heeding Harrison’s advice, Anne submits a sketch about falling through the duck house roof. The editor accepts it, asking to see more of her work.
The middle-aged romance in this novel involves Janet Sweet, Anne’s landlady during her summer teaching. Anne recognizes the true love between Janet and John Douglas, her beau of twenty years. Despite Anne’s meddling, John finally proposes, and Janet accepts.
As the novel concludes, Anne feels isolated from her childhood friends: Jane marries a millionaire and Diana gives birth to a son. Then hearing that Gilbert is dying, Anne suddenly realizes she has always loved him. When she learns that he is recovering, she fears that he no longer loves her, but taking her to their special childhood haunt, he proposes. She accepts, agreeing to postpone marriage until he completes his medical education in three years.
Bibliography
Beyond Green Gables: The Life of Lucy Maud Montgomery http://archives.cbc.ca/IDD-1-68-1630/arts‗ entertainment/ lucy‗maud‗montgomery/.
Bruce, Harry. Maud: The Early Years of L. M. Montgomery. Halifax, N.S.: Nimbus, 2003.
Gammel, Irene. Making Avonlea: L. M. Montgomery and Popular Culture. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2002.
Gammel, Irene, ed. The Intimate Life of L. M. Montgomery. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2005.
Gammel, Irene, and Elizabeth Epperly, eds. L. M. Montgomery and Canadian Culture. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2006.
Heilbron, Alexandra. Remembering Lucy Maud Montgomery. Toronto: Dundurn Press, 2001.
Reimer, Mavis, ed. Such a Simple Little Tale: Critical Responses to L. M. Montgomery’s “Anne of Green Gables.” Metuchen, N.J.: Scarecrow Press, 2003.
Wiggins, Genevieve. L. M. Montgomery. Twayne: New York, 1992.