Exploring the Journey of Self Identity and Women Empowerment in Patriarchal Society in Lucy Maud Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables

Abstract

Lucy Maud Montgomery was born on November 30, 1874, in New London. She was a Canadian novelist, short story writer, and poet. One of her best novels, Anne of Green Gables, was a huge success. In this novel, Anne Shirley, an 11-year-old girl, is mistakenly sent to live with Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert, siblings who have planned to adopt a boy to help them with their farm, made up of the Canadian community of Avonlea. As she negotiates the difficulties of growing up in a patriarchal environment, the novel explores Anne’s journey of discovery as she navigates the challenges of growing up in a patriarchal society. This novel examines the interplay of communication theories within L.M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables, focusing on how Anne Shirley’s journey reflects concepts such as interpersonal communication, identity negotiation, and self-presentation. The narrative highlights how Anne’s rhetorical skills and ability to adapt her language foster connections and overcome societal barriers. By bridging the thematic elements of belonging, empowerment, and identity with communication theories, this study explores the broader implications of language in shaping relationships and self-perception in the Avonlea Community.