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Anne of Green Gables Study Guide
About the Show
Anne of Green Gables follows the misadventures of a wildly independent orphan with fiery red hair and a temper to match. The play is based on L.M. Montgomery's timeless classic novel of the same name which has been cherished by generations of readers since its publication in 1908. Anne (with an "e"!) Shirley is mistakenly sent to live with a plainspoken farmer and his spinster sister, who thought they were adopting a boy. She soon wins over the Cuthberts, and all of Prince Edward Island, for that matter, with her irrepressible spirit and imagination. Over the course of the play, she transforms from a playful young girl to a confident young woman, while bewitching audiences with her warm, poignant story about love, home and family. Faithfully adapted from the novel by Joseph Robinette, this play forges a lasting bond between the audience and one of literature's most unforgettable characters, whether the playgoer is an old friend of Anne's or is meeting her for the first time. People of all ages will be delighted to spend time with Anne of Green Gables!
About the Authors
Anne of Green Gables (the novel)
Lucy Maud Montgomery was born on November 30, 1874, in Clifton, Prince Edward Island, Canada. Her mother died when she was only 21 months old, and she was raised by her maternal grandparents in Cavendish. Although few women of that time received higher education, Lucy attended Prince of Wales College in Charlottetown, and then Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. She returned to Prince Edward Island, where she took on various teaching engagements. During her years of study and teaching, she wanted to become a writer.
In 1898, she returned to her home in Cavendish to care for her widowed grandmother. It was at this time that she began writing her novel in earnest. Although it was at first rejected and was stored for a couple of years in a hatbox, Anne of Green Gables was published (1908). After her grandmother's death, Lucy married the Reverend Ewan Macdonald and had three sons, one stillborn. She continued to write while she raised her children, moving to Ontario where Macdonald was pastor of a Presbyterian church. Montgomery died in Toronto in 1942.
Anne of Green Gables (the play)
Joseph Robinette has authored, adapted, and dramatized many literary works such Charlotte's Web, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, and A Rose for Emily. He has received several playwriting awards including the Charlotte Chorpenning Cup, given by the Children's Theatre Association of America to outstanding writers of children's plays, the American Association for Theatre and Education's best play award for his adaptation of Sarah, Plain and Tall, and in 2006, he was awarded the Children's Theatre Foundation of America Medallion for his body of dramatic works for children.
Preparing for the Show
Ideally, students will have some experience with the novel Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery. If so, a teacher may discuss major themes of the story such as imagination, forgiveness, finding a home, and love in its many forms. Students might be asked to:
" Discuss their favorite stories/scenes. Which do they hope will appear in the stage version?
" Predict which characters will be in the play, and which will not, as not every character in the novel can be represented in the theatrical production.
" When watching the play to observe closely and try to tell which actors play more than one part.
Vocabulary
kindred spirit
croup
gable
cherry cordial
intoxicate
Ipecac
providence/providential
amethyst brooch
gimlet
auburn
ridgepole
liniment
orphan asylum
bosom friend
courting
Premier of Canada
Geography (see maps below - at the very end of the page)
Prince Edward Island is Canada's only island province. It is in the Gulf of St. Lawrence which is an arm of the Atlantic Ocean. It is separated from Nova Scotia and New Brunswick by the Northumberland Strait. With a total area of 2,185 square miles, Prince Edward Island is Canada's smallest province; it is slightly smaller than the state of Delaware.
The economy of Prince Edward Island is primarily agricultural. Almost half of the province's land is farmland. It is Canada's leading producer of potatoes, and also produces other important crops such as berries, vegetables and grains. Also important are the cattle industry, both dairy and beef, hogs, sheep and poultry.
The island's fishermen catch fish for export such as lobsters, halibut, herring, oysters, and other shellfish. The mild summer climate and scenic attractions have made tourism another chief source of income in the province.
Most of the people on Prince Edward Island are of Scottish, English, and Irish descent, but there is also a large minority of Acadians, descendants of the early French settlers. Charlottetown, the capital, is the largest city. More than 55 per cent of the people live in rural areas. The largest religious group on Prince Edward Island is the Catholic Church, followed by The United Church of Canada. Other principal groups include Presbyterians, Anglicans, and Baptists.
Questions:
" Where is Prince Edward Island?
" Anne and her friends live in the fictional town of Avonlea. Are there any other towns on Prince Edward Island that are similar?
" Anne came from an orphanage in Nova Scotia. Where is Nova Scotia? Is it close to Prince Edward Island?
" Anne, Matthew and Marila are farmers. What other jobs did people have in Avonlea?
Time Period
" Anne of Green Gables takes place around 1900. How were people's lives different then?
" Rachel Lynde mentions women getting the vote. How would it be if your mother was not allowed to vote? Do you think that is fair?
Literature and Poetry
Anne loves poetry. Some of her favorite poems are mentioned in the show. These include:
" Robert Browning's "Pippa Passes."
" Alfred Lord Tennyson's "The Lady of Shallot" and "Lancelot and Elaine."
" Rose Harwick Thorpe's "Curfew Must Not Ring Tonight."
How are these important to the story? How and why are they important to Anne?
Discussion Questions
" Why does Anne insist that her name be spelled with an "e"?
" How does Matthew Cuthbert react when he discovers that the asylum sent him a girl rather than a boy?
" Describe the characters Matthew Cuthbert, Marilla Cuthbert, and Rachel Lynde.
" What is a kindred spirit? In what ways does Anne see herself as a kindred spirit with others in the play?
" Why does Anne confess to steeling the Amethyst brooch?
" What are three ways that Anne and Diana Barry demonstrate their friendship?
" What happens when Anne and Diana run and jump into bed in Diana's spare room?
" Why does Anne walk the ridge-pole on Mr. Barry's kitchen roof?
" Why does Anne's hair turn green?
" How did Anne change after arriving in Green Gables?
" In what ways does Anne conform? In what ways does she remain independent?
" How do Marilla and Anne differ in the way each one approaches the problem of being good?
Activities
" Make a brochure for Prince Edward Island. You can draw, use photographs, and tell parts of the story.
" Suppose you are responsible for illustrating the cover of this book. Which incident in the book do you think would be best to include on the cover? Why do you think it is an important incident? Design the cover using whatever art supplies seem to you to be best.
" As a class, create a story quilt for Anne of Green Gables. Each student can illustrate their favorite part of the story and glue it to a large square of colored construction paper. The squares can be attached to each other to create the class quilt.
" Select a humorous scene from the play and illustrate it as a cartoon strip.
" Working with another student, write out a conversation between Marilla and Mrs. Spencer. What do they say to each other?
" Imagine Anne and Diana have been separated since the age of 20. They are now 70. How would they look? What would they say? Create a dialog for them.
" You have been invited to perform on a talk show. Working with others, prepare an interview to introduce the play to a television audience. One person can play the talk show host and the other(s) can be authors, actors, or directors.
" Write a poem about one of the characters or scenes from the play.
" Who was Elaine in the story of Elaine and Lancelot? Read about her. Read "The Lady of Shalott" by Alfred Lord Tennyson. Who is like Elaine in Anne of Green Gables? Why? Is there a character that reminds you of Lancelot?
Theatre Etiquette
Here are a few reminders to help you and your students enjoy the show:
" Turn off and put away cell phones and other electronic devices that might make noise.
" Do not during the performance.
" Do not bring food or beverages inside the theatre.
" Photography is not allowed inside the theatre. Please feel free to take field trip photos in our lobby or outside, but all cameras, cell phones and recording devices must be put away when entering the theatre.
" Remember that the actors are live performers, not TV or movies! They will respond to your laughter and applause, so participate in making the play a fun experience for everyone.
" Refrain from talking or whispering during the performance as the space is designed to carry sound and even small noises can disturb other viewers and the actors.
About the Show
Anne of Green Gables follows the misadventures of a wildly independent orphan with fiery red hair and a temper to match. The play is based on L.M. Montgomery's timeless classic novel of the same name which has been cherished by generations of readers since its publication in 1908. Anne (with an "e"!) Shirley is mistakenly sent to live with a plainspoken farmer and his spinster sister, who thought they were adopting a boy. She soon wins over the Cuthberts, and all of Prince Edward Island, for that matter, with her irrepressible spirit and imagination. Over the course of the play, she transforms from a playful young girl to a confident young woman, while bewitching audiences with her warm, poignant story about love, home and family. Faithfully adapted from the novel by Joseph Robinette, this play forges a lasting bond between the audience and one of literature's most unforgettable characters, whether the playgoer is an old friend of Anne's or is meeting her for the first time. People of all ages will be delighted to spend time with Anne of Green Gables!
About the Authors
Anne of Green Gables (the novel)
Lucy Maud Montgomery was born on November 30, 1874, in Clifton, Prince Edward Island, Canada. Her mother died when she was only 21 months old, and she was raised by her maternal grandparents in Cavendish. Although few women of that time received higher education, Lucy attended Prince of Wales College in Charlottetown, and then Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. She returned to Prince Edward Island, where she took on various teaching engagements. During her years of study and teaching, she wanted to become a writer.
In 1898, she returned to her home in Cavendish to care for her widowed grandmother. It was at this time that she began writing her novel in earnest. Although it was at first rejected and was stored for a couple of years in a hatbox, Anne of Green Gables was published (1908). After her grandmother's death, Lucy married the Reverend Ewan Macdonald and had three sons, one stillborn. She continued to write while she raised her children, moving to Ontario where Macdonald was pastor of a Presbyterian church. Montgomery died in Toronto in 1942.
Anne of Green Gables (the play)
Joseph Robinette has authored, adapted, and dramatized many literary works such Charlotte's Web, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, and A Rose for Emily. He has received several playwriting awards including the Charlotte Chorpenning Cup, given by the Children's Theatre Association of America to outstanding writers of children's plays, the American Association for Theatre and Education's best play award for his adaptation of Sarah, Plain and Tall, and in 2006, he was awarded the Children's Theatre Foundation of America Medallion for his body of dramatic works for children.
Preparing for the Show
Ideally, students will have some experience with the novel Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery. If so, a teacher may discuss major themes of the story such as imagination, forgiveness, finding a home, and love in its many forms. Students might be asked to:
" Discuss their favorite stories/scenes. Which do they hope will appear in the stage version?
" Predict which characters will be in the play, and which will not, as not every character in the novel can be represented in the theatrical production.
" When watching the play to observe closely and try to tell which actors play more than one part.
Vocabulary
kindred spirit
croup
gable
cherry cordial
intoxicate
Ipecac
providence/providential
amethyst brooch
gimlet
auburn
ridgepole
liniment
orphan asylum
bosom friend
courting
Premier of Canada
Geography (see maps below - at the very end of the page)
Prince Edward Island is Canada's only island province. It is in the Gulf of St. Lawrence which is an arm of the Atlantic Ocean. It is separated from Nova Scotia and New Brunswick by the Northumberland Strait. With a total area of 2,185 square miles, Prince Edward Island is Canada's smallest province; it is slightly smaller than the state of Delaware.
The economy of Prince Edward Island is primarily agricultural. Almost half of the province's land is farmland. It is Canada's leading producer of potatoes, and also produces other important crops such as berries, vegetables and grains. Also important are the cattle industry, both dairy and beef, hogs, sheep and poultry.
The island's fishermen catch fish for export such as lobsters, halibut, herring, oysters, and other shellfish. The mild summer climate and scenic attractions have made tourism another chief source of income in the province.
Most of the people on Prince Edward Island are of Scottish, English, and Irish descent, but there is also a large minority of Acadians, descendants of the early French settlers. Charlottetown, the capital, is the largest city. More than 55 per cent of the people live in rural areas. The largest religious group on Prince Edward Island is the Catholic Church, followed by The United Church of Canada. Other principal groups include Presbyterians, Anglicans, and Baptists.
Questions:
" Where is Prince Edward Island?
" Anne and her friends live in the fictional town of Avonlea. Are there any other towns on Prince Edward Island that are similar?
" Anne came from an orphanage in Nova Scotia. Where is Nova Scotia? Is it close to Prince Edward Island?
" Anne, Matthew and Marila are farmers. What other jobs did people have in Avonlea?
Time Period
" Anne of Green Gables takes place around 1900. How were people's lives different then?
" Rachel Lynde mentions women getting the vote. How would it be if your mother was not allowed to vote? Do you think that is fair?
Literature and Poetry
Anne loves poetry. Some of her favorite poems are mentioned in the show. These include:
" Robert Browning's "Pippa Passes."
" Alfred Lord Tennyson's "The Lady of Shallot" and "Lancelot and Elaine."
" Rose Harwick Thorpe's "Curfew Must Not Ring Tonight."
How are these important to the story? How and why are they important to Anne?
Discussion Questions
" Why does Anne insist that her name be spelled with an "e"?
" How does Matthew Cuthbert react when he discovers that the asylum sent him a girl rather than a boy?
" Describe the characters Matthew Cuthbert, Marilla Cuthbert, and Rachel Lynde.
" What is a kindred spirit? In what ways does Anne see herself as a kindred spirit with others in the play?
" Why does Anne confess to steeling the Amethyst brooch?
" What are three ways that Anne and Diana Barry demonstrate their friendship?
" What happens when Anne and Diana run and jump into bed in Diana's spare room?
" Why does Anne walk the ridge-pole on Mr. Barry's kitchen roof?
" Why does Anne's hair turn green?
" How did Anne change after arriving in Green Gables?
" In what ways does Anne conform? In what ways does she remain independent?
" How do Marilla and Anne differ in the way each one approaches the problem of being good?
Activities
" Make a brochure for Prince Edward Island. You can draw, use photographs, and tell parts of the story.
" Suppose you are responsible for illustrating the cover of this book. Which incident in the book do you think would be best to include on the cover? Why do you think it is an important incident? Design the cover using whatever art supplies seem to you to be best.
" As a class, create a story quilt for Anne of Green Gables. Each student can illustrate their favorite part of the story and glue it to a large square of colored construction paper. The squares can be attached to each other to create the class quilt.
" Select a humorous scene from the play and illustrate it as a cartoon strip.
" Working with another student, write out a conversation between Marilla and Mrs. Spencer. What do they say to each other?
" Imagine Anne and Diana have been separated since the age of 20. They are now 70. How would they look? What would they say? Create a dialog for them.
" You have been invited to perform on a talk show. Working with others, prepare an interview to introduce the play to a television audience. One person can play the talk show host and the other(s) can be authors, actors, or directors.
" Write a poem about one of the characters or scenes from the play.
" Who was Elaine in the story of Elaine and Lancelot? Read about her. Read "The Lady of Shalott" by Alfred Lord Tennyson. Who is like Elaine in Anne of Green Gables? Why? Is there a character that reminds you of Lancelot?
Theatre Etiquette
Here are a few reminders to help you and your students enjoy the show:
" Turn off and put away cell phones and other electronic devices that might make noise.
" Do not during the performance.
" Do not bring food or beverages inside the theatre.
" Photography is not allowed inside the theatre. Please feel free to take field trip photos in our lobby or outside, but all cameras, cell phones and recording devices must be put away when entering the theatre.
" Remember that the actors are live performers, not TV or movies! They will respond to your laughter and applause, so participate in making the play a fun experience for everyone.
" Refrain from talking or whispering during the performance as the space is designed to carry sound and even small noises can disturb other viewers and the actors.
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