Anne of the Island: Annotated

Anne of the Island by L. M. Montgomery

ANNE OF THE ISLAND by L.M. Montgomery is the third in the Anne of Green Gables series. This book tells the story of the college years of Anne Shirley and her friends. As the security of home and childhood comforts wear off, everyone faces trials of being alone.

Anne travels to Kingsport to go to college despite mixed feelings between the family at home. Most of her family would like her to marry Gilbert Blythe, a close childhood friend. Gilbert will also go to Kingsport for college and would like nothing more than Anne to reveal that she has more than friendship for him. Anne is determined to get an education and not just seek a husband as nosy people at home expect. Anne is thrilled that one of her friends, Priscilla, also attends Redmond College.

At home, Anne's best friend Diana is engaged to Fred and lives family life. Despite being separated by interests and distance, each home visit reaffirms that a long-distance friendship can survive. Each home visit teaches Anna to appreciate her past and future and gives her a sense of balance in her life.

While in college, Anne makes a new friend, Philippa, who is unlike any other friend she has ever had. Philippa is a fickle, indecisive, loyal and intelligent friend whose beauty and popularity have brought Anne and Priscilla to the fore at school. Philippa is determined to marry a rich man but is unable to determine who he may be as she has many handsome ones including two guys at home who proposed her.

The three girls move together to a comfortable home called Patty's Place and learn to work and live together. Despite the Philippa family's monetary ties, she learns to do chores and live in a less-than-perfect situation and even appreciates the changes in her life. Anne has a good influence on all her friends, making them understand that what they have and what they expect is only important if they first have the love and loyalty of family and friends.

When Gilbert proposes to Anne in their second year of college, she rejects him, telling him she doesn't love him. She wants to stay friends, but their friendship isn't the same after that, and Anne feels the loss deeply. She begins dating a rich and handsome guy, Roy Gardner, who gives her the "electrifying" life she wants. Anne becomes close friends with Roy's sister Dorothy and both relationships thrive.

After four years of college, Philippa finds love with a poor preacher whom she adores despite her poverty. She learned the value of love over monetary considerations from Anne.

When Roy proposes, Anne realizes that he turns her on but she is not in love with him. When Gilbert nearly dies of typhoid fever, Anne realizes she loves him and wants a life with her childhood friend. It will always be the light and love of his life.