Gilbert Blythe

Gilbert Blythe is the rival, friend, love interest, and eventual husband of Anne Shirley in Lucy Maud Montgomery's "Anne of Green Gables" series of novels. Anne and Gilbert had seven children: Joyce (also called Joy; died as an infant), James Matthew (also called Jem), Walter Cuthbert (who died during the First World War), Anne and Diana (twins; also called Nan and Di), Shirley, and Bertha Marilla (also called Rilla, an abbreviation for her middle name).

Character Description

Gilbert is described in the books as being very handsome, with dark, curly hair and hazel eyes. He is tall with a lean build.

In his youth, he seems aware of his good looks and popularity with the girls, therefore, he was somewhat smug and self-assured. Anne's dismissal of his affections, however, seem to ground him, and he matures and is well-liked by many. Throughout the series, Gilbert is depicted as a fair, practical and reliable man, who is inclined to have a "common sense" view of things. Keenly intelligent, he has a strong wit and sense of humour. He eventually becomes a highly-respected doctor in the town of Glen St. Mary, PEI, where he lives with his wife Anne and their children.

The Series

It is apparent that Gilbert Blythe takes an immediate interest with Anne upon their first meeting. However, Anne ignores him, which prompts him to give her the nickname "Carrots" because of her red hair (about which she was very touchy). This incident causes her to infamously smash her slate over his head in anger. He tries to apologize, but Anne's childish pride does not allow her to forgive him. Years pass and the two continually tried to one-up each other in academic circles, although the rivalry is more friendly on Gilbert's behalf. Throughout their childhood and young adolesence, Anne's temper cools and it becomes apparent that the two would have an excellent friendship were it not for the old grudge. However, as a result of stubborn pride and several unfortunate misunderstandings, the two avoid reconciliation and only share brief moments of cordiality, to the regret of both. The two both attend Queen's Academy together, where Anne wins the Avery Scholarship, which would allow her to attend Redmond College. Unfortunately, her adoptive father, Matthew, dies soon after of a heart attack. His sister, Marilla, decides to sell Green Gables as she thought she would be unable to manage it with her vision problems. However, Anne's attachment to Green Gables would not permit this and she resolves to stay home to help Marilla. She decides to apply for a job at the Avonlea School but finds out that Gilbert had done this before her. So she applies for the Carmody school instead. In the end, Gilbert gives up the position at the Avonlea School and applies for the White Sands School instead so Anne could stay in Green Gables with Marilla. Anne finds out about Gilbert's noble act and ends her grudge against him. They become very good friends.

During the two years Anne teaches in Avonlea, Gilbert becomes a close friend. Following the death of neighbour Rachel Lynde's husband, Thomas Lynde, Mrs. Lynde moves into Green Gables to keep Marilla company. With Mrs. Lynde in residence, Anne leaves for Redmond along with Gilbert in the third novel of the series, Anne of the Island. It's clear at this time that Gilbert is in love with Anne, which makes the latter extremely uncomfortable; Anne thinks what she feels for Gilbert is merely platonic love. Moreover, she believes that her true love will come in the form of her "ideal"; a handsome and overly-romanticized hero. However, Anne's jealousy of Gilbert's other potential love interests, her moments of physical attraction for him, and her deep respect and devotion to their friendship suggest that she is simply in denial. In their second year, Gilbert proposes but Anne refuses him, saying she doesn't care for him "in that way". Anne insists on being friends but Gilbert says friendship would not be satisfying enough. Their relationship becomes estranged, especially after Anne meets and courts a man that seems to personify her "ideal"-- fellow Redmond student Roy Gardner (although Anne secretly admits to herself that Roy lacks certain qualities that Gilbert possesses, such as a mutual sense of humour). Gilbert seems to concede defeat and Anne believes that he becomes involved with another student, Christine Stuart. (However, it is later revealed that the two were just friends). After two years of courting, Roy proposes to Anne, who up until the last moment intended to accept. However, Anne has a sudden epiphany in realizing that she doesn't love Roy, and refuses his proposal. Meanwhile, after returning home after graduation, Gilbert contracts typhoid fever and remains weak for months, narrowly escaping death.

Gilbert's illness invokes the revelation in Anne that she does and has always loved him."She finally realized in that moment that he belonged to her and she to him!" She realizes that her "bond" to Gilbert that she mistook for a strong friendship was true love, and her relationship with Roy Gardner was merely a "flattered fancy". Fortunately, Gilbert recovers from his illness and soon after, as he still hadn't given up, he proposes and this time the answer is 'yes'. Gilbert intended to become a doctor, so three years of engagement follow as he finishes his medical course. The two marry in the fifth novel of the series, Anne's House of Dreams, and move to the town of Glen St. Mary where Gilbert sets up his medical practice. He proves to be an excellent and well-respected doctor.

Their married life is very happy, and as the series ends Gilbert is fifty-five and still in love with Anne Shirley.

In the CBC Television film adaptations, Gilbert Blythe was played by Jonathan Crombie.

The musical has run for more than 40 years at the Charlottetown Festival. The CD recording features Andrew MacBean as Gilbert.

In the anime adaptation, he was voiced by Kazuhiko Inoue.

In Riverwalk Theatre's production of the play version, Gilbert Blythe was played by Alex Freeman.