Who Marilla Cuthbert is
Marilla Cuthbert lives with her brother Matthew at Green Gables, their farm on Prince Edward Island. She values order and practical work, and she has little experience with a child like Anne.
When Anne arrives instead of the expected boy, Marilla first plans to send her back. Learning about Anne's lonely past makes her weigh the child's need for a home against her own doubts.
What Marilla Cuthbert wants
Marilla decides to keep Anne, but she intends to bring her up strictly. She expects good behavior, insists on apologies, and regards Anne's longing for fashionable clothes as vanity.
How Marilla Cuthbert changes
Anne's mistakes test Marilla's judgment as well as her patience, especially when a missing brooch leads to an unjust accusation. Marilla has to face her own error, while learning to correct Anne without crushing her imagination.
As their life together develops, Marilla begins to laugh more and speak about her worries. Her growing affection does not erase her firmness, but it changes how she understands the child in her care.
Questions
Who is Marilla Cuthbert?
Marilla is Matthew Cuthbert's sister and the woman who takes responsibility for raising Anne at Green Gables.
Why does Marilla keep Anne?
Marilla recognizes that Anne has nowhere else to go, and her sense of duty helps her decide to offer a home.
Is Marilla Cuthbert cruel?
No, Marilla is stern rather than cruel. She is unused to strong feelings, but her care for Anne gradually becomes more openly affectionate.
