Educating the Early 20th Century Family Raising any child, whether that child is male or female, is both a delightful and intimidating experience. This is true even in early 20th century terms where Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery is set. It can be argued that for many a woman was much more daunting of a sex to raise than a man and that men are more valuable to a family. Interestingly, Green Gables can be a more progressive place for a woman during this time than originally anticipated. Anne Shirley, the protagonist and the orphan adopted by Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert, was originally almost like a feral child with a loud mouth. Although she had peculiar early life, Anne paved her way to becoming the epitome of a progressive …show more content…
He originally both needed and wanted a boy to help him with the fields. He became anxious when he got too close to any kind of a woman or girl. So, when he was told that he would be taking Anne Shirley with him, he was baffled and blindsided, but after listening to her talk he realized how special she was. This is surprising because he believed that “women were bad enough in all conscience, but little girls were worse… But this freckled witch was very different...” (Montgomery, 15). Therefore, Matthew can be perceived as the first resident of Green Gables who started seeing women in a different view thanks to the red-headed freckled ‘witch’. In a span of even a few short weeks with Anne, he went from talking in short simple sentences starting with “well, now” or “I suppose” or “oh” to giving Anne advice when she was being punished for yelling at their neighbor, Mrs. Rachel Lynde (Montgomery, 68-69). By doing this, he cements his position as a supporter and a sentimental guide to Anne. Even though he ultimately fails to buy a dress in the shops, Matthew goes against his anxiety and asks Rachel Lynde for assistance in getting Anne a beautiful brown dress with puffed sleeves that she desperately wanted. Seeing her look radiant in her new dress at the winter concert at Avonlea, made both Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert proud of