Chapter 1 Mrs Rachel Lynde Is Surprised
Mrs Rachel Lynde is a very curious woman who notices that Matthew Cuthbert is dressed up and travelling somewhere. She finds this unusual because Matthew usually stays at Green Gables and works on the farm. She visits Green Gables and learns from Marilla that they have decided to adopt an orphan boy. The boy is supposed to help Matthew with the farm work. Mrs Rachel is surprised by this decision and becomes curious about where the child will come from.
Chapter 2 Matthew Cuthbert Is Surprised
Matthew goes to the railway station to collect the orphan boy. Instead of a boy, he finds a thin red haired girl named Anne Shirley waiting for him. Anne is very talkative and immediately tells Matthew about her life and how excited she is to have a real home. Matthew feels confused because they were expecting a boy, but he feels sorry for Anne and takes her to Green Gables. During the journey Anne admires the beautiful countryside and gives imaginative names to different places. Matthew begins to like her cheerful personality.
Chapter 3 Marilla Cuthbert Is Surprised
When Matthew brings Anne home, Marilla is shocked because they had asked for a boy. Anne explains that there must have been a mistake at the orphanage. Marilla is unsure about keeping her because she believes a boy would be more useful on the farm. Anne becomes upset because she has already imagined Green Gables as her new home. Matthew quietly suggests that they should keep her. Marilla decides to investigate what happened before making a final decision.
Chapter 4 Morning at Green Gables
Anne wakes up at Green Gables and is amazed by everything around her. She loves the beautiful room and the peaceful surroundings. Anne has a very strong imagination and gives special names to places because she wants them to feel more magical. She calls the road outside the house the White Way of Delight and is fascinated by the trees and flowers. Marilla sees that Anne is very emotional and imaginative but still expects her to behave properly. Anne is happy because she hopes she has finally found a permanent home.
Chapter 5 Anne’s History
Anne tells Marilla about her difficult childhood. Her parents died when she was very young, so she never had the chance to grow up with them. She was taken in by different families and spent much of her childhood looking after children. Anne describes the lonely and difficult life she experienced before coming to Green Gables. Despite her problems, she uses her imagination to make her life more enjoyable. Marilla begins to understand why Anne talks so much and why having a real home means so much to her.
Chapter 6 Marilla Makes Up Her Mind
Marilla continues thinking about whether Anne should stay at Green Gables. She discovers that the mistake at the orphanage was not Anne’s fault. Matthew also makes it clear that he wants Anne to stay. Marilla finally decides that they will keep Anne and raise her as their own child. Anne is extremely happy when she learns that she can stay. She feels that she finally has a real home and people who care about her. Marilla remains strict but begins to develop affection for Anne.
Chapter 7 Anne Says Her Prayers
Marilla decides that Anne needs to learn how to pray properly. She asks Anne to say her prayers before going to bed. Anne admits that she has never really been taught how to pray. Instead of giving a normal prayer, Anne uses her imagination and creates her own funny prayer. Marilla is surprised by Anne’s unusual way of thinking. This chapter shows how different Anne is from Marilla and how Anne’s imagination helps her deal with unfamiliar situations.
Chapter 8 Anne’s Bringing Up Is Over
Marilla begins teaching Anne about manners, behavior and proper discipline. Anne has many habits that Marilla considers unacceptable, so she tries to teach her how to behave like a well mannered girl. Anne does not always understand Marilla’s rules but tries to follow them. Matthew is more sympathetic toward Anne and enjoys listening to her stories. Marilla slowly realizes that Anne is not a bad child. She is simply inexperienced and has never had anyone properly guide her before.
Chapter 9 Mrs Rachel Lynde Is Properly Horrified
Mrs Rachel Lynde comes to visit Green Gables and examines Anne very closely. She makes rude comments about Anne’s appearance, especially her red hair, freckles and thin figure. Anne becomes extremely angry because she has been hurt by Mrs Rachel’s words. She responds angrily and refuses to apologize at first. Marilla tells Anne that she must apologize for being disrespectful. Eventually Anne agrees to apologize, although she finds it very difficult. This chapter shows Anne’s strong temper but also shows that she is capable of learning from her mistakes.
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