Red Hair Symbol in Anne of Green Gables

Having red hair is the greatest trial in Anne Shirley’s life. Though worse things happen to Anne (like being orphaned and doing drudgery for a series of reluctant guardians), for Anne red hair seems to symbolize all difficult circumstances beyond her control. This explains why Anne calls her hair color her “lifelong sorrow” and denies that anybody with red hair can be truly happy; she even resents God for giving her such hair and finds this reason enough not to pray. Because Anne loves beautiful things so much, she feels especially burdened to have to live with a hair color she considers ugly, and she’s wounded when Gilbert Blythe mocks her “carrot”-colored braids in front of Avonlea school—it reminds her of her deepest discontentment. As Anne grows up, she is gradually reconciled to her red hair, suggesting that she’s also more secure in her life and grateful for what she has in general (though she’s also relieved when told that her hair is darkening to auburn).

Red Hair Quotes in Anne of Green Gables

The Anne of Green Gables quotes below all refer to the symbol of Red Hair. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:

“Don’t you know it’s a terrible wicked thing not to say your prayers every night? I’m afraid you are a very bad little girl.”

“You’d find it easier to be bad than good if you had red hair,” said Anne reproachfully. “People who haven’t red hair don’t know what trouble is. Mrs. Thomas told me that God made my hair red on purpose, and I’ve never cared about Him since.”

Related Characters: Anne Shirley (speaker), Marilla Cuthbert (speaker)

Related Symbols: Red Hair

Page Number and Citation: 63

Explanation and Analysis:

“Please cut it off at once, Marilla, and have it over. Oh, I feel that my heart is broken. This is such an unromantic affliction. The girls in books lose their hair in fevers or sell it to get money for some good deed, and I’m sure I wouldn’t mind losing my hair in some such fashion half so much. But there is nothing comforting in having your hair cut off because you’ve dyed it a dreadful color, is there? I’m going to weep all the time you’re cutting it off if it won’t interfere. It seems such a tragic thing.”

Related Characters: Anne Shirley (speaker), Marilla Cuthbert

Related Symbols: Red Hair

Page Number and Citation: 270

Explanation and Analysis:

For a moment Anne hesitated. She had an odd, newly awakened consciousness under all her outraged dignity that the half-shy, half-eager expression in Gilbert's hazel eyes was something that was very good to see. Her heart gave a quick, unfamiliar little beat. But the bitterness of her old grievance promptly stiffened up her wavering determination. That scene of two years before flashed back into her recollection as vividly as if it had taken place yesterday.

Related Characters: Anne Shirley, Gilbert Blythe

Related Symbols: Red Hair

Page Number and Citation: 279

Explanation and Analysis:

Red Hair Symbol Timeline in Anne of Green Gables

The timeline below shows where the symbol Red Hair appears in Anne of Green Gables. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...perfectly happy. She can’t be completely happy, she explains, because that’s impossible for anybody with red hair . She can imagine away other details, like her freckles and skinny figure. But her... (full context)

When Marilla sees that Matthew has brought in a strange girl with red hair , she’s baffled. The girl listens silently as Marilla questions Matthew about the mix-up. Suddenly... (full context)

...surroundings. A wild rose prompts a digression about the color pink and how people with red hair can never wear it. When Marilla says she doubts that Anne’s hair will ever be... (full context)

...nevertheless “wicked” to neglect one’s nightly prayers. Anne says it’s easier to be wicked with red hair —and besides, she was once told that God gave her red hair on purpose, so... (full context)

...be a good playmate. She also assures Anne, who’s worried that Diana might also have red hair , that Diana has black hair and, more importantly, she is smart and well-behaved. (full context)

Mishaps, Milestones, and Growing Up Theme Icon

...Anne looks awkward—she’s still wearing her ill-fitting orphanage dress, her freckles stand out, and her red hair is ruffled. Mrs. Rachel greets her with the comment, “they didn’t pick you for your... (full context)

...and says she was too hard on Anne. Anyway, she once knew a girl with red hair whose color later darkened to a lovely auburn—maybe the same will happen to Anne. Anne... (full context)

...comes home at twilight, telling Marilla she is “perfectly happy,” even in spite of having red hair . Mrs. Barry had tearfully kissed and apologized to her, and she had a lovely... (full context)

...and tells Marilla to look at her hair. Lifting the candle, Marilla sees that Anne’s red hair has turned an ugly, dull green. As they go downstairs, Marilla gets the story out... (full context)

...reminder of how vain she was. She now realizes that despite her hatred of her red hair , she was nevertheless vain about its length and thickness and curl. When she returns... (full context)

...Tennyson’s Idylls of the King. The others talk Anne into being Elaine since, despite her red hair , Anne is the only one who isn’t afraid to float on the pond. The... (full context)

...the audience say that Anne has “Titian hair.” Anne explains that it refers to her red hair . (full context)

...memory of some of Anne’s youthful mishaps. Anne ruefully recalls her childish preoccupation with her red hair and freckles. The latter are gone, and most people tell Anne that her hair is... (full context)

Anne of Green Gables

L. M. Montgomery

Red Hair Symbol Analysis

Red Hair Quotes in Anne of Green Gables

Red Hair Symbol Timeline in Anne of Green Gables