Anne of Green Gables
By L. M. Montgomery
Study Guide
Chapter 1— Mrs. Rachel Lynde Is Surprised
Vocabulary:
traversed - something that crosses or lies across
ferreted - to find and bring to light by searching
decorum - propriety and good taste in conduct or appearance
gauntlet - an open challenge
innovation - the introduction of something new
qualms - a feeling of uneasiness about a point especially of conscience or propriety
uncanny - a feeling of uneasiness about a point especially of conscience or propriety
profound - difficult to understand
Study Questions:
1. Who is telling the story?
2. How does L.M. Montgomery compare use a stream to describe Rachel Lynde's character?
3. Briefly describe Matthew's character?
4. Why is Rachel so interested in Matthew's behavior?
5. What caused Rachel to be stricken dumb for five seconds?
6. How does Rachel feel about Marilla's decision?
Chapter 2—Matthew Cuthbert Is Surprised
Vocabulary:
sorrel mare sundry - having various traits
elusive - hard to comprehend or define
ruminated - to go over in the mind repeatedly and often casually or slowly
rapture - a state or experience of being carried away by overwhelming emotion
revelation - : allowing a look at or an understanding of something inner or hidden
Study Questions:
1. Why is Matthew surprised?
2. Give evidence that Anne is a very imaginative young girl?
3. Find Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island in an atlas.
4. Why does Anne insist that she "can never be perfectly happy"?
5. Why is Matthew not very anxious to return home?
Chapter 3—Marilla Cuthbert is Surprised
Vocabulary:
dialogue - a conversation between two or more persons
animation - full of movement and activity
deprecatingly - to express disapproval of
mellowed - made gentle by age or experience
reconcile - to restore to friendship or harmony
asylum - a place of retreat and security
perturbation - a disturbance of motion, course, arrangement, or state of equilibrium
predilection - a natural liking for something
Study Questions:
1. Why does Anne burst into tears upon entering the Cuthbert home?
2. Why do you think Matthew might be anxious to keep Anne?
3. How do you feel at this point? Would you want to keep Anne or send her back?
Chapter 4—Morning at Green Gables
Vocabulary:
fragrance - a sweet or delicate odor
lush - growing vigorously especially with luxuriant foliage <lush grass> pervading - to become diffused throughout every part of something
persistency – sticking with something; following through even when it gets hard
reproachfully - a cause or occasion of blame, discredit, or disgrace
martyr - a person who sacrifices something of great value and especially life itself for the sake of principle
relinquishing - to withdraw or retreat from: leave behind
relapsed - a return of symptoms of a disease after a period of improvement
reverie - the condition of being lost in thought
Study Questions:
1. What "horrible remembrance" did Anne have when she awoke?
2. What does Marilla mean by the phrase "What's to be done with a man who just looks"?
3. Why is Marilla planning to go to White Sands?
Chapter 5—Anne's History
Vocabulary:
heroine - a woman admired and emulated for her achievements and qualities
inculcate - to teach and impress by frequent repetitions or admonitions
moral - of or relating to principles of right and wrong in behavior
scrawny - exceptionally thin and slight or meager in body or size
poverty - the state of one who lacks a usual or socially acceptable amount of money or material possessions
neglect - to give little attention or respect to
Study Questions:
1. Briefly describe Anne's parents.
2. What do you think it would have been like living with Mr. and Mrs. Thomas? Why?
3. Why is Anne afraid of arriving at the Spencer home?
Chapter 6—Marilla Makes Up Her Mind
Vocabulary:
mingled - to bring or mix together or with something else usually without fundamental loss of identity
benevolent - marked by or disposed to doing good
corroborated - to support with evidence or authority
pert - saucily free and forward: flippantly cocky and assured
providential - marked by foresight
superfluous - exceeding what is sufficient or necessary
ottoman - an overstuffed footstool
stipulations - a condition, requirement, or item specified in a legal document
mute - unable to speak: lacking the power of speech
dread - to fear greatly
gimlet - a small tool with a screw point, grooved shank, and cross handle for boring holes
Study Questions:
1. How does Mrs. Spencer respond to Marilla's suggestion that they send back Anne?
2. Why would Anne not be too responsive about going with Mrs. Blewett?
3. Why was Matthew's face a "glow of delight" at the end of the chapter?
Chapter 7—Anne Says Her Prayers
Vocabulary:
harrowed - a cultivating tool set with spikes, spring teeth, or disks and used primarily for pulverizing and
smoothing the soil
admonished - to express warning or disapproval to especially in a gentle, earnest, or solicitous manner
infinite - extending beyond, lying beyond, or being greater
catechism - oral instruction
irreverence - lack of respect
manse - a large imposing residence
Study Questions:
1. Why did Marilla feel embarrassed about teaching Anne the childish classic, "Now I lay me down to sleep"?
2. What was humorous about Anne's first attempt at praying?
3. Why does Marilla think that Anne is next to a perfect heathen?
Chapter 8—Anne's Bringing-Up Is Begun
Vocabulary:
obedient - willing to obey
dilated - expanded normally or abnormally in all dimensions
imploring - to call or pray for earnestly
deferring – to put off or delay
fortnight - a period of 14 days : two weeks
discourse - connected speech or writing
Study Questions:
1. What is Marilla's response when Anne wants to address her as "Aunt Marilla"?
2. What is a kindred spirit?
3. Who is Diana Barry?
Chapter 9—Mrs. Rachel Lynde Is Properly Horrified
Vocabulary:
grippe - a virus disease that is the same as or very much like influenza
homely - plain or unattractive in appearance
intoxicated - affected by or as if by alcohol
indignant - feeling or showing anger because of something unjust or unworthy
evasive - tending or intended to evade
reprehensible - worthy of or deserving blame or condemnation
Study Questions:
What evidence is there that Anne appreciates nature?
What does Mrs. Lynde say that infuriates Anne?
Why does Marilla feel a desire to laugh at the end of this chapter?
Vocabulary: grippe, homely, intoxicated, indignant, evasive, reprehensible
Chapter 10—Anne's Apology
Vocabulary:
refractory - resisting control or authority
consolatory – the act of comforting
obdurate - stubbornly persistent in wrongdoing
plaintive - expressive of suffering or woe
auburn - of a reddish-brown color
Study Questions:
1. Why is Marilla surprised at Matthew's response to the incident with Mrs. Rachel Lynde?
2. How does Matthew convince Anne to apologize?
3. Describe how Anne tricks Mrs. Lynde with her "apology"?
Chapter 11—Anne's Impressions of Sunday School
Vocabulary:
pew - a compartment in the auditorium of a church providing seats for several persons
rebuke - to criticize sharply
recite - to repeat from memory or read aloud publicly
sermon - a religious speech delivered in public usually by a clergyman as a part of a worship service
Study Questions:
1. Why is Anne so unhappy with the dresses that Marilla has selected?
2. What was Anne's reaction to her first experience at Sunday school?
3. Why was Marilla reluctant to criticize Anne for her comments about the minister's sermons?
Chapter 12—A Solemn Vow and a Promise
Vocabulary:
caper - to leap or prance about in a playful manner
dubious - of doubtful promise or outcome
vexed - debated or discussed at length
cordially - sincerely or deeply felt
poring - to gaze intently
dryad - a nymph (beautiful maiden dwelling in the mountains, forests, trees, and waters) living in woods
stingy - not generous or liberal
Study Questions:
1. How did Marilla react to the news of the flower-wreathed hat?
2. Describe Diana Barry.
3. How do we know that Marilla is beginning to soften up to wards Anne?
Chapter 13—The Delights of Anticipation
Vocabulary:
infatuated - to inspire with a foolish or extravagant love or admiration
staccato - cut short or apart in performing: disconnected
faltered - to walk unsteadily: stumble
amethyst - a clear purple or bluish-violet variety of crystallized quartz that is often used as a jeweler's stone
sallow - of a grayish greenish yellow color
brusquely - blunt in manner or speech often to the point of ungracious harshness
bequeathed - to give or leave by will —used especially of personal property
smitten - to strike sharply or heavily especially with the hand or an implement held in the hand
Study Questions:
1. Why is Anne so excited?
2. Why is Anne's kiss on the cheek so different from any other that Marilla has ever received?
3. Why did Anne cry when she saw her first real diamond?
Chapter 14—Anne's Confession
Vocabulary:
meddle - to interest oneself in what is not one's concern: interfere without right or propriety
rigmarole - confused or meaningless talk
defiance - willingness to contend or fight
steadfast - firmly fixed in place
primly - stiffly formal and proper
Study Questions:
1. What are you doing when you are shelling peas?
2. What does Anne admit to doing when asked by Marilla about the amethyst brooch?
3. What does Marilla tell Matthew that she thinks has happened to her brooch?
4. Why does Anne make a false confession?
5. What actually happened to the brooch?
Chapter 15—A Tempest in the School Teapot
Vocabulary:
tempest - a great commotion over an unimportant matter
rustic - suitable for the country
pooled - combined
hieroglyphics - written in, constituting, or belonging to a system of writing mainly in pictorial characters
malicious - having or showing a desire to cause harm to someone
spasmodic - relating to or affected or characterized by spasm (violent jerking)
patriarchal - of, relating to, or being a father or founder
Study Questions:
1. What does the expression, "a tempest in a teapot" mean?
2. Describe the Avonlea School.
3. How did the young students keep their bottles of milk cool?
4. Explain the expression, "the master is dead gone on her"?
5. Describe the scene when Gilbert teased Anne about her red hair.
6. Why was Matthew surprised to hear Marilla laughing?
Chapter 16—Diana is Invited to Tea with Tragic Results
Vocabulary:
aesthetic - of or relating to beauty or what is beautiful
lingered - to be slow in parting or in quitting something
obstinate - not easily overcome or removed
Study Questions:
1. Why did Diana knock primly at the front door when visiting Anne?
2. Why did Diana have to go home early?
3. How was Marilla able to explain the mixup?
4. Why was Anne so disheartened at the end of the chapter?
Chapter 17—A New Interest in Life
Vocabulary:
ejected - to throw out especially by physical force, authority, or influence
staunchly - steadfast in loyalty or principle
relented - to cease resistance : give in
pathetic - causing one to feel tenderness, pity, or sorrow
dolefully - causing grief or affliction
effusion - free expression of words or feelings
perusal - to look over or through in a casual manner
ostentatiously - marked by or fond of vain, glorious and sometimes pretentious display
Study Questions:
1. What did Anne ask Diana to give her as a keepsake of their friendship?
2. What was "testament reading"?
3. Why did Anne drop the "strawberry apple"?
4. Why was Anne so mortified when she tied with Gilbert on one of their assignments?
5. Discuss the origin of the expression, "In geometry Anne met her Waterloo".
Chapter 18—Anne to the Rescue
Vocabulary:
intoxicate - to excite or elate to the point of enthusiasm or frenzy
sundry - miscellaneous, various
wistful - full of yearning or desire tinged with melancholy
courting - to engage in social activities leading to engagement and marriage
hasten - to move or act quickly
ipecac - the dried roots or rhizome of an ipecac that are the source of medicinal syrup used to cause vomiting
in the treatment of accidental poisoning
croup - spasms in young children, with harsh cough, hoarseness, and difficulty breathing.
Study Questions:
1. Who was the Canadian premier visiting Charlottetown?
2. Why did Diana come to Anne's home all in a panic?
3. Is the comment about the "French girl" racist in nature? Why or why not?
4. According to Marilla, why did Mrs. Rachel Lynde have no use for the premier?
5. Why is Mrs. Barry willing to forgive Anne for her past transgressions?
Chapter 19—A Concert, A Catastrophe, And A Confession
Vocabulary:
traipsing - to walk or travel about without apparent plan but with or without a purpose
curfew - an order or law requiring certain or all people to be off the streets at a stated time
retorted - to reply to an argument with an opposing argument
amiable - being friendly, sociable
dire – extreme need
jaunt - to make a usually short journey for pleasure
discreet - having or showing good judgment especially in conduct or speech
implored - to seriously call or ask for something
Study Questions:
1. How do Diana and Anne signal one another?
2. Why does Marilla finally relent and allow Anne to go to Diana's house and the Debating Club concert at the
hall?
3. Why does Anne get sand to clean?
4. Describe Anne's first encounter with Aunt Josephine.
5. According to Miss Barry (Aunt Josephine) why was she unpacking her valise?
Chapter 20—A Good Imagination Gone Wrong
Vocabulary:
capricious - apt to change suddenly
resurrection - the state of one risen from the dead
lurked - to lie in wait in a secret place especially for an evil purpose
reverie - the condition of being lost in thought
limpid - clear and simple in style
Study Questions:
1. Why did Mr. Phillips give some Mayflowers to Prissy Andrews?
2. What special anniversary occurs in this chapter?
3. How does Anne try to convince Marilla that ghosts do exist?
Chapter 21—A New Departure in Flavourings
Vocabulary:
plaintively - expressive of suffering or woe
sarcastic – using a sharply mocking statement or remark
orator - one distinguished for skill and power as a public speaker
liniment - a liquid medicine rubbed on the skin especially to relieve pain
Study Questions:
1. Why is Marilla surprised that Anne needed two handkerchiefs?
2. Why is Anne so fond of Mrs. Allan?
3. Describe the incident when Mrs. Allan tastes Anne's cake.
4. According to Marilla who is to blame for this?
Chapter 22—Anne is Invited out to Tea
Vocabulary:
etiquette - the rules governing the proper way to behave
seraph - a celestial being with two or three pairs of wings who guards the throne of God.
innovation - a new idea, method, or device
Study Questions:
1. Why does Anne arrive home so excited?
2. What rules of etiquette has Anne been studying?
3. Describe what Mrs. Allan was wearing when she greeted Anne at the door?
4. What kind of new teacher did they have in Avonlea that Mrs. Lynde felt was a dangerous innovation?
Chapter 23—Anne Comes to Grief in an Affair of Honour
Vocabulary:
enticing - to attract by arousing hope or desire:
perch - a bar or peg on which something is hung
ridgepole - the highest horizontal timber in a sloping roof to which the upper ends of the rafters are fastened
entreated - to ask in a serious and urgent manner
revelation - something that is revealed; especially: surprising or astonishing knowledge
Study Questions:
1. What did Diana Barry decide to do a week after having tea at the manse?
2. For what did Ruby Gillis have a mortal dread?
3. Who dared Anne to walk the ridgepole?
4. What sudden revelation did Marilla have when she saw Mr. Barry carrying Anne into the yard?
5. According to Marilla what had not been injured by Anne's fall off the roof?
Chapter 24—Miss Stacy and Her Pupils Get Up a Concert
Vocabulary:
mellow - made gentle by age or experience
promote - to advance
undertaking - to take on as a duty
patriotism - love for or devotion to one's country
Study Questions:
1. What does Anne feel instinctively when Miss Stacy pronounces her name?
2. Why did the boys climb to the top of the big trees?
3. Why did Marilla think that Anne was vain?
4. Why was Anne happy to talk to Matthew about the concert?
Chapter 25—Matthew Insists on Puffed Sleeves
Vocabulary:
bashfully - socially shy or timid
scornfully - expressing deep hatred or disapproval
cluster - a number of similar things that occur together
inscrutable - not readily investigated, interpreted, or understood
ordeal - a severe trial or experience
ingratiatingly - intended or adopted in order to gain favor
deprecatory - seeking to avoid disapproval: apologetic
loftily - elevated in character and spirit: noble
Study Questions:
1. What is a bootjack?
2. What did Matthew notice about Anne that was different from her mates?
3. Why did Matthew end up buying a garden rake in the middle of December?
4. Why is Mrs. Lynde pleased when Matthew asks her to pick out a fashionable dress with puffed sleeves for
Anne?
5. What happens at the concert that suggests Gilbert Blythe cares deeply for Anne?
Chapter 26—The Story Club Is Formed
Vocabulary:
trifling - lacking in significance or solid worth
amid - in or into the middle of: surrounded by
uncharitable - severe in judging: harsh
treads - to step or walk on or over
regal - of, relating to, or suitable for a king
turbulent - causing unrest, violence, or disturbance
Discussion Questions:
1. What is Anne's "besetting sin"?
2. According to Diana, why will Anne find it easy to write her composition?
3. Why did Anne suggest that she and Diana form a story club?
4. What is meant by a nom de plume?
5. According to Mr. Allan, what is the important or great thing to remember when writing a story?
Chapter 27—Vanity and Vexation of Spirit
Vocabulary:
briskly - keenly alert: lively
kindling - easily combustible material for starting a fire
riled - to make agitated and angry: upset
cowered - to shrink away especially for shelter from something that frightens
veracity - devotion to the truth: truthfulness
impeached - to cast doubt on
Study Questions:
1. Why was Marilla disappointed and irritated when she returned home from her meeting?
2. Where did Marilla find Anne?
3. Explain why Anne was in her bedroom.
4. What is meant by the sentence, "Anne promptly turned her glass to the wall."
5. How did Marilla attempt to solve Anne's "bad hair day".
Chapter 28— An Unfortunate Lily Maid
Vocabulary:
ruthlessly - having no pity
parsed - to give the part of speech of a word and explain its relation to other words in a sentence
yielding - to give up possession of on claim or demand: surrender
flowery - full of fine words or phrases
indulged - to give in to one's own or another's desires
Study Questions:
1. Whose idea was it to dramatize the poem Elaine?
2. Why did Anne caution Ruby not to talk about Mrs. Lynde?
3. In what unfortunate dilemma did Anne suddenly find herself as she drifted in the flat (barge)?
4. Why is Anne so angry and upset when she is finally rescued?
5. Anne tells Marilla that she has learned much from her mistakes. What does she claim to have learned from
this incident?
Chapter 29—An Epoch in Anne's Life
Vocabulary:
epoch - an event or a time marked by an event that begins a new period or development
ecstasy - a state of overwhelming emotion
divined - of, relating to, or coming directly from God or a god
abashed - to destroy the self-possession or self-confidence of
abomination - extreme disgust and hatred
Study Questions:
1. What news does Diana have for Anne?
2. How far away was Charlottetown and estimate how long you think the trip would take in those days?
3. Why did Anne refuse to bet with Diana on the horse races?
4. Why did Miss Barry give Anne and Diana ten cents each?
Chapter 30—The Queen's Class Is Organized
Vocabulary:
enthralling - to hold spellbound: charm
indulgent - being kind and patient
appalling - inspiring horror, dismay, or disgust
contritely - feeling or showing sorrow
shroud - something that covers, screens, or guards
tantrum - a fit of bad temper
Study Questions:
1. Why does Anne think Miss Stacy had paid a visit to Green Gables?
2. What was the real reason for Miss Stacy's visit?
3. What incident is Anne referring to when she states that she has, "tasted the bitterness of death"?
4. Why was there open rivalry between Gilbert and Anne?
5. Why had Marilla not been at the Aid meeting on Thursday?
Chapter 31—Where the Brook and River Meet
Vocabulary:
consumption - a progressive wasting away of the body especially from pulmonary tuberculosis
zest - 1: a piece of the peel of a citrus fruit (as an orange or lemon) used as flavoring
2: keen enjoyment
theology - the study of religious faith, practice, and experience
shirks - to get out of doing especially what one ought to do
flounce - to move with exaggerated jerky or bouncy motions
trustee - a person who has been given responsibility for someone else's property
consternation - amazement, alarm, or disappointment that makes one feel helpless or confused
elope - to run away secretly with the intention of getting married
Study Questions:
1. Why does Marilla allow Anne so much freedom during her summer vacation?
2. What "good friends" does Anne retrieve from the attic at the end of the summer?
3. Why is Marilla crying?
4. What is Anne's stumbling-block?
Chapter 32—The Pass List is Out
Vocabulary:
fluttery - to move with quick wavering or flapping motions
headway - motion or rate of motion in a forward direction
composed - free from agitation : calm
conjugations - a class of verbs having the same type of inflectional forms
Study Questions:
1. Why were the handkerchiefs so damp?
2. Why was Ruby in hysterics when Anne reached the boarding house?
3. Why did Anne want so desperately to finish well up the list?
4. How many names appeared on the pass list and whose name was at the top?
Chapter 33—The Hotel Concert
Vocabulary:
burnished - to make shiny or lustrous especially by rubbing
conniving - to be indulgent or in secret sympathy
lamented - mourned for
scoffed - an expression of scorn or mockery
amateur - one who engages in a pursuit, study, science, or sport as a pastime rather than as a profession
Study Questions:
1. Describe how the east gable had changed over the past four years.
2. What was the purpose of holding the concert?
3. Who arrived at Green Gables to take Anne to the concert?
4. What is meant by the expressions "country bumpkins" and "rustic belles"?
5. Why is Anne convinced that she and her friends are rich?
Chapter 34—A Queen's Girl
Vocabulary:
ample - generous or more than adequate in size, scope, or capacity
agitatedly - to excite and often trouble the mind or feelings of : disturb
subside - to sink or fall to the bottom
pinnacle - the highest point of development or achievement
aspiration - a strong desire to achieve something high or great
Study Questions:
1. What does Matthew mean by Mrs. Spencer's lucky mistake?
2. Why does Anne decide not to board with Miss Josephine Barry?
3. Explain how Josie Pye insults Anne during her brief visit.
4. What does Anne resolve to do at the end of the chapter.
Chapter 35—The Winter at Queen's
Vocabulary:
comrades - an intimate friend or associate; companion
wistful - full of yearning or desire tinged with melancholy
latter - of or relating to the end
abated - to put an end to
looming - to appear in an impressively great or exaggerated form
strife – fight; struggle
immortal – live forever
Study Questions:
1. What do the Avonlea students do every Friday night if the weather cooperates?
2. What happened after the Christmas holidays?
3. Who were the three medal contenders according to the other students?
4. What is meant by commencement?
Chapter 36—The Glory and the Dream
Vocabulary:
solemnly- being serious and dignified in appearance or behavior
pang - a brief piercing spasm of pain
parasol - a lightweight umbrella used as a sunshade
reproachfully - an expression of disapproval
coeducational - education of male and female students at the same school or college
oculist - ophthalmologist (eye doctor)
nominal - very small
Study Questions:
1. Why did Anne tell Jane that she would go straight to the girls' dressing room?
2. What caused Anne to feel a sickening pang of defeat?
3. What spectacular news did Anne receive?
4. Why does Marilla plan on seeing the doctor in June?
5. Explain the significance of the last sentence in the chapter.
Chapter 37—The Reaper Whose Name is Death
Vocabulary:
drawn - showing the effects of tension, pain, or illness
threshold - the place or point of entering or beginning
pallid - lacking sparkle or liveliness: dull
thronged - a crowding together of many persons
placid - peacefully free of interruption or disturbance
anguished - tormented
vigil - an act or period of watching or surveillance
tilled - to work by plowing, sowing, and raising crops
convolutions - a complication or intricacy of form, design, or structure
Study Questions:
1. What happens to Matthew and why does it happen?
2. How do we know that Matthew and the Cuthbert family were well-respected in Avonlea?
3. Why does Anne say to Marilla, "Oh, just let me cry"?
4. What story does Marilla reveal to Anne about Gilbert Blythe's father?
Chapter 38— The Bend in the Road
Vocabulary:
Prohibition - an order forbidding something; often capitalized: the forbidding by law of the sale and
manufacture of alcoholic beverages
resolutely - marked by firm determination
sha'n't – shall not
substantial – important, essential, necessary
courteously - marked by respect for and consideration of others
congenial - having the same disposition, interests, or tastes
Study Questions:
1. What did the doctor tell Marilla about her eyes?
2. Why had John Sadler from Carmody paid a visit to Marilla at Green Gables?
3. What news does Anne tell Marilla about the scholarship?
4. How old will Anne be when she starts her teaching career?
5. What news does Mrs. Lynde bring to Anne about Gilbert Blythe?
6. Describe Gilbert and Anne's conversation at the end of the final chapter.