Chapter 9: Mrs. Rachel Lynde’s Disapproval and Anne’s Outburst
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Two weeks after Anne arrives at Green Gables, Mrs. Rachel Lynde visits to see the newly adopted child. During her conversation with Marilla, Mrs. Rachel openly questions the decision of an unmarried woman raising a young girl. In contrast, Marilla surprises herself by admitting that she has grown fond of Anne and already feels the house is brighter with her presence.
When Anne enters the room, Mrs. Rachel immediately begins to judge her appearance. She comments on Anne’s thin figure and freckles, and bluntly calls her hair “as red as carrots.” Hurt and humiliated, Anne loses her temper completely. She shouts back in anger, criticizing Mrs. Rachel’s looks and manners before storming upstairs in tears.
Offended by Anne’s behavior, Mrs. Rachel insists that she should be punished and even suggests physical discipline. She also declares that she will no longer visit Green Gables if such behavior is allowed. However, Marilla does not respond with agreement. Instead, she is irritated by Mrs. Rachel’s harshness and lack of sensitivity, and she begins to feel sympathy for Anne’s reaction.
When Marilla goes upstairs, she finds Anne crying but still unwilling to admit she was wrong. Anne firmly believes she had every right to react after being insulted. She even asks Marilla to imagine how painful it is to be called ugly. This reminds Marilla of a similar childhood experience when she was once called homely, a memory that stayed with her for years.
Although Marilla understands Anne’s feelings, she believes discipline is necessary. She decides not to punish her physically but insists that Anne must apologize to Mrs. Rachel. Anne refuses, standing by her belief that she cannot say sorry for something she does not regret.
Chapter 10: Anne’s Dramatic Apology and Emotional Growth
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The next day, Anne stays in her room, upset and refusing most of the food Marilla brings her. Concerned about her, Matthew quietly goes upstairs to speak with her after Marilla leaves the house. He advises Anne to apologize to Mrs. Rachel, explaining that Marilla is firm in her decision.
Anne admits she is no longer furious, but she still feels that apologizing would be deeply humiliating. However, to please Matthew, she agrees to go and make amends. Relieved, Matthew quickly leaves so Marilla does not discover his involvement.
On the walk to Mrs. Rachel’s house, Anne first appears gloomy and ashamed. As they continue, her mood shifts and she becomes more imaginative and expressive, almost forgetting her distress. When they arrive, Anne suddenly throws herself into a highly dramatic apology. She kneels and pleads for forgiveness with intense emotion, saying:
“I could never express all my sorrow, no, not if I used up a whole dictionary . . . I’m a dreadfully wicked and ungrateful girl, and I deserve to be punished and cast out by respectable people for ever.”
Mrs. Rachel accepts the apology and even softens toward Anne, remarking kindly that her red hair may turn into auburn as she grows older. She also admits that, despite Anne’s dramatic behavior, she likes her.
Marilla, however, feels uncertain about the situation. She realizes Anne’s apology is more theatrical than simple and sincere, though she does not correct her since the apology fulfills her demand.
On the way home, Anne happily takes Marilla’s hand and says how deeply she already feels at home at Green Gables. The gesture unexpectedly stirs a warm, maternal feeling in Marilla. Though she quickly tries to suppress it and return to her strict manner, she cannot ignore the growing affection she feels for Anne.
Chapter 11: Anne’s First Sunday at Church
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Marilla proudly presents Anne with three new dresses she has sewn for her. Although they are neat and practical, Anne is disappointed because they are plain and lack the puffed sleeves she has always dreamed of wearing. Rather than complain, she lets her imagination transform the simple dresses into elegant outfits fit for a storybook heroine.
The following Sunday, Anne attends church and Sunday school by herself for the first time. Before leaving, she gathers a few fresh flowers and decorates her plain hat with them. While Anne thinks the flowers make her hat look beautiful, many of the people in Avonlea view the decoration as unusual and quietly laugh at her.
After returning home, Anne honestly shares her thoughts with Marilla. She admits that she did not enjoy the church service or Sunday school. In her opinion, the minister’s sermon lacked excitement, the prayers felt dull, and the Sunday school lesson failed to spark her interest. To pass the time, she found herself gazing out the window and escaping into her imagination.
Marilla reminds Anne that she should pay attention during church, even if she finds it uninteresting. However, deep down, she understands Anne’s feelings. Although Marilla never openly criticizes the minister or the Sunday school teacher, she secretly agrees that the services are often predictable and uninspiring.
Chapter 12: Anne Finds Her First True Friend
Mrs. Rachel informs Marilla that Anne wore fresh flowers on her hat during church, making her the subject of gossip among the congregation. When Marilla explains why her choice was considered inappropriate, Anne becomes upset. She cannot understand the criticism because she simply wanted to make her hat more beautiful. In her eyes, fresh flowers were no different from the artificial ones worn by other girls.
Anne’s disappointment quickly disappears when Marilla tells her they will be visiting the Barry family that afternoon. Excitement soon replaces her sadness, as Anne has long hoped to become close friends with Diana Barry. Before they leave, Marilla reminds Anne to behave politely, avoid using overly dramatic words, and make a good impression on Mrs. Barry, who is known for her strict nature.
The moment Anne and Diana meet, they feel an instant connection. The two girls head into the garden, where Anne eagerly expresses her wish to become Diana’s lifelong friend. In her usual imaginative style, she even creates a special promise of everlasting friendship for them to share.
On the walk back to Green Gables, Anne happily tells Marilla that she has finally found the “kindred spirit” she has always dreamed of. Diana’s gentle personality and dark hair make her the perfect friend in Anne’s eyes.
Later, Matthew surprises Anne with a box of chocolates. Instead of keeping them all for herself, Anne asks if she can share them with Diana. She believes the chocolates will taste even sweeter if they are enjoyed together. Anne’s kindness and generosity touch both Matthew and Marilla, and Marilla realizes that Green Gables would not feel the same without Anne.
Analysis: Chapters 9–12
Chapters 9–12 show important growth in both Anne and the people around her. Through her conflict with Mrs. Rachel, her heartfelt apology, her first visit to church, and her friendship with Diana Barry, Anne slowly begins to understand the expectations of Avonlea society. Although she often makes mistakes, her actions are never driven by bad intentions. Instead, they reflect her honesty, imagination, and lack of experience with social customs.
These chapters also highlight Anne’s strong sense of right and wrong. She believes people deserve respect, but she also feels that unfair treatment should be challenged. This is why she reacts so strongly to Mrs. Rachel’s insults and later struggles to offer an apology she does not truly believe she owes. Anne’s creative personality often clashes with Avonlea’s strict traditions, making her both unique and misunderstood.
Matthew’s character also develops in these chapters. His quiet affection for Anne grows stronger, and he becomes a gentle father figure who always looks out for her. Anne trusts Matthew deeply, and his kindness often influences her more than strict discipline ever could.
Marilla, too, begins to change. While she continues to teach Anne proper behavior, she gradually becomes more understanding and compassionate. Anne’s fresh perspective encourages Marilla to question some of her long-held beliefs. As a result, their relationship grows stronger, built on patience, trust, and mutual respect.