Chapter 17: A New Interest in Life – Summary
Here, we have outstanding summaries of Anne Of Green Gables.
After being forbidden to meet Anne, Diana secretly comes to say goodbye. The two friends share an emotional farewell filled with the dramatic expressions they both love. Diana tearfully tells Anne that she will always be her “bosom friend.” Deeply moved, Anne says that Diana’s friendship has brought light into her lonely life. As a keepsake, she asks Diana for a lock of her beautiful black hair.
Although Anne feels heartbroken, she refuses to let sadness overwhelm her. Instead, she decides to return to school. Even if she cannot speak to Diana, she can still see her every day.
Anne receives a warm welcome from her classmates. Many of the girls bring her small gifts such as plums, bottles, and handwritten poems. Charlie Sloane offers her a slate pencil, while Gilbert Blythe quietly gives her an apple. Anne politely accepts Charlie’s gift but completely ignores Gilbert’s, as she still has not forgiven him for insulting her.
Anne throws herself into her studies with great determination. Before long, she proves herself to be one of the brightest students in the class. One day, Mr. Phillips announces that Anne and Gilbert have earned equal marks and proudly writes both of their names on the classroom board. Anne is secretly annoyed that Gilbert remains her academic rival.
Chapter 18: Anne to the Rescue – Summary
A political meeting in Charlottetown attracts many people from Avonlea, including Marilla and Mrs. Rachel Lynde. While they are away, Anne stays home studying, and Matthew quietly reads the Farmers’ Advocate.
Suddenly, Diana rushes into Green Gables in great distress. Her little sister, Minnie May, has fallen seriously ill with croup. The babysitter has no idea how to help, and the doctor has not yet arrived.
Matthew immediately sets off to fetch the doctor. Meanwhile, Anne and Diana hurry to Orchard Slope. Having cared for several children with croup during her time at Mrs. Hammond’s home, Anne knows exactly what to do. She remains calm and nurses Minnie May throughout the night.
By the time the doctor arrives early the next morning, Minnie May is sleeping peacefully. He praises Anne’s quick thinking and tells Mr. and Mrs. Barry that she saved their daughter’s life.
Grateful for Anne’s courage, Mrs. Barry realizes she judged her unfairly after the current wine incident. The following day, she visits Green Gables to apologise. She warmly invites Anne to tea and happily allows Diana and Anne to become friends again.
Anne is overjoyed. She treasures both Mrs. Barry’s apology and the chance to reunite with her beloved bosom friend.
Chapter 19: A Concert, a Catastrophe, and a Confession – Summary
Anne excitedly tells Marilla that Mrs. Barry has invited her to celebrate Diana’s birthday. The girls will attend a Debating Club concert and Anne will stay overnight at the Barry home. Marilla refuses at first, believing a young girl should not attend a late-night event. However, Matthew gently persuades her to change her mind, and Anne finally receives permission to go.
Anne enjoys every moment of the special day. She delights in dressing up, riding to the concert in Diana’s cousins’ pung sleigh, and watching the performances. The music, poems, and speeches fill her with happiness.
After returning to the Barry house, Anne and Diana change into their nightgowns. In high spirits, Anne suggests they race to the spare bedroom. Laughing, the girls rush inside and jump onto the bed. To their horror, they land on Miss Josephine Barry, Diana’s elderly aunt, who arrived earlier than expected.
As punishment, Anne spends the night with little Minnie May instead of Diana. Even so, she returns to Green Gables the next day with cheerful memories of the outing.
Later, Mrs. Rachel reveals that Miss Josephine is furious. She plans to leave Avonlea early and withdraw her promise to pay for Diana’s music lessons. Feeling responsible for the accident, Anne decides to apologise in person.
Although nervous, Anne bravely visits Miss Josephine and sincerely admits her mistake. The old lady is amused by Anne’s dramatic honesty and lively imagination. Touched by her courage, she forgives Anne, agrees to stay in Avonlea, and keeps her promise to support Diana’s music lessons. She also invites Anne to visit her in town, marking the beginning of an unexpected friendship.
Chapter 20: A Good Imagination Gone Wrong – Summary
Spring arrives at Green Gables, covering the countryside with fresh flowers and new life. Anne delights in the season and spends many happy hours exploring nature with her friends. She eagerly shares these adventures with Marilla.
On the anniversary of her arrival at Green Gables, Anne carefully finishes all her household chores. Marilla, suffering from a headache, asks Anne to fetch an apron pattern from Mrs. Barry’s house later that evening.
Anne hesitates because she and Diana have recently imagined that the woods between their homes are haunted. Walking through them after dark now fills her with fear. She asks if the errand can wait until morning, but practical Marilla refuses. She insists that Anne stop feeding her imagination and go immediately.
Gathering her courage, Anne sets off through the woods. Before long, her imagination takes over. Every shadow seems frightening, and every sound feels mysterious. Terrified, she runs all the way home and arrives breathless and trembling.
Analysis – Chapters 17–20
These chapters highlight Anne’s growing maturity as she becomes an accepted member of the Avonlea community. She gradually learns from her experiences and begins to handle difficult situations with greater wisdom and self-control.
One clear sign of Anne’s growth is her apology to Miss Josephine Barry. Unlike her earlier dramatic apologies, this one is sincere, thoughtful, and heartfelt. Instead of letting pride guide her, Anne accepts responsibility for her mistake. Her honesty not only earns Miss Josephine’s forgiveness but also begins a warm friendship between them.
Anne also proves that even painful experiences can become valuable lessons. Although she disliked caring for Mrs. Hammond’s children, the knowledge she gained there helped her save Minnie May’s life. For the first time, the difficult years of her childhood become a source of strength rather than embarrassment. Her bravery and quick thinking earn the respect of both the doctor and Mrs. Barry.
Meanwhile, Anne’s rivalry with Gilbert Blythe grows stronger. She still refuses to forgive him for calling her “Carrots” and becomes determined to surpass him in school. Their academic competition motivates Anne to work even harder, revealing her ambitious and determined nature.
These chapters also celebrate Anne’s powerful imagination. Together, Anne and Diana imagine the woods between their homes to be haunted. Although the forest is perfectly ordinary, Anne’s vivid imagination makes every shadow seem frightening. This episode shows how deeply she can lose herself in her own fantasies. At the same time, it highlights the contrast between Anne’s imaginative spirit and Marilla’s practical outlook.
Overall, these chapters explore important themes of personal growth, forgiveness, friendship, imagination, and learning from experience. Anne continues to mature while preserving the creativity and enthusiasm that make her such a memorable character.