Anne of Green Gables beginsas an orphanage mistakenly sends eleven-year-old Anne Shirley to the Cuthberts, who want to adopt a boy. Matthew Cuthbert takes pity on Anne and insists that she stay at Green Gables. Anne finds a "kindred spirit" in Matthew, and she changes his life. A reticent bachelor, his concern for Anne forces him to overcome his overwhelming shyness with girls and women and to be more sensitive to others' feelings. His pride in her motivates Anne to excel, and his death devastates her.

Matthew's undemonstrative sister Marilla reluctantly agrees to adopt Anne. A self-described "old maid," Marilla has no experience in raising children.

Believing that she must be especially strict to compensate for her brother's "softness," Marilla never expresses amusement, praises Anne, or misses an opportunity to teach a lesson in morals or etiquette. Although she actually feels as much love and pride...