Spoiler warning: this post explains the full ending of Anne of Green Gables. If you have not finished the book, stop here and come back later.
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Quick answer: After Matthew Cuthbert dies and Marilla's eyesight fails, Anne Shirley gives up a scholarship to study at Redmond College so she can stay at Green Gables and help Marilla. Gilbert Blythe gives up his teaching job in Avonlea so Anne can have it, and the two finally become friends.
Quick facts
– Book: Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
– First published: 1908
– Type: A children's novel
– Tone of the ending: Bittersweet and hopeful
Table of Contents
What Leads Up to the Ending
Anne, an imaginative orphan, is sent by mistake to elderly siblings Matthew and Marilla, who wanted a boy. Anne wins their hearts and makes friends, especially Diana Barry. She has a long rivalry with Gilbert, who once called her “Carrots.” Anne becomes a top student at Queen's Academy and wins the Avery Scholarship.
What Happens at the End of Anne of Green Gables
Matthew dies of a heart attack after learning the bank holding his savings has failed. Marilla may lose her sight and plans to sell Green Gables. Anne decides to stay and teach nearby. Gilbert gives up the Avonlea school so Anne can teach there. Anne and Gilbert talk and agree to be friends. Anne feels hopeful about the bend in the road ahead.
The Ending in 4 Quick Points
- Matthew's death marks the end of Anne's childhood.
- Anne sacrifices her scholarship.
- Gilbert's kindness ends their rivalry.
- Anne finds peace at Green Gables.
What Happens to the Main Characters
| Character | What happens to them |
|---|---|
| Anne Shirley | Stays at Green Gables |
| Matthew Cuthbert | Dies of a heart attack |
| Marilla Cuthbert | Keeps Green Gables with Anne |
| Gilbert Blythe | Becomes Anne's friend |
What the Ending Means
The ending shows Anne's growth into a responsible, loving young woman.
Other Ways to Read the Ending
Some readers wish Anne had gone to college, while others admire her choice. The sequels continue her story.
Themes the Ending Brings Together
Family. Anne finds a true home.
Sacrifice. Anne gives up her plans.
Growth. Anne becomes mature.
Is the Ending Happy or Sad?
Most readers describe the ending of Anne of Green Gables as bittersweet and hopeful. How you feel about it usually depends on what you hoped for the characters and what you expected L.M. Montgomery to do with the story, so it is worth asking friends how they felt before you compare notes.
Who Will Like This Ending
Readers who enjoy endings that are bittersweet and hopeful will find a lot to talk about here. If you prefer every thread tied up neatly, it helps to know in advance how L.M. Montgomery closes the story, which is exactly why many readers look it up. Either way, the final chapters reward a second look once you know where everything is heading, because small details from the middle of the book start to matter. If you are reading with a group, agree beforehand whether everyone has finished, so nobody has the last chapters spoiled.
Book Versus Adaptation
The 1985 CBC miniseries follows the book's ending closely.
Discussion Questions About the Ending
If you are reading Anne of Green Gables with a book club or a friend, these questions work well once everyone has finished:
- Did the ending surprise you, or had you seen it coming from the first chapters?
- What does the final scene say about family, and do you agree with L.M. Montgomery's view?
- Which character made the most important choice in the last part of the book, and was it the right one?
- How would the story feel if it had ended one chapter earlier or one chapter later?
- Does the ending leave you hopeful about the characters, or do you worry about what comes next?
- Would you describe the ending as bittersweet and hopeful, or would you choose a different word?
How to Read the Final Chapters Again
- Compare the opening with the close. Look at how the first chapter introduces family and how the ending answers it.
- Track each final choice. The table above shows where every main character ends up, so ask which of those outcomes was earned.
- Notice what L.M. Montgomery leaves unsaid. Gaps in the last pages are often deliberate, and they are where most of the debate about the ending begins.
- Listen for echoes. Images, phrases or settings from earlier in Anne of Green Gables often return in the final scene with a new meaning.
Questions to Ask Yourself After Finishing
- Was the ending of Anne of Green Gables earned by what came before it, or did it feel sudden?
- Which character's final moment affected you most, and why?
- If you could change one thing about the last chapters, what would it be?
- Did the ending change how you think about the opening pages?
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Books to Read After Anne of Green Gables
- Anne of Avonlea by L.M. Montgomery
- Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Related: Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery: Summary and Key Takeaways · 15 Books Like Anne of Green Gables for Adults You’ll Love
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens at the end of Anne of Green Gables?
After Matthew Cuthbert dies and Marilla's eyesight fails, Anne Shirley gives up a scholarship to study at Redmond College so she can stay at Green Gables and help Marilla. Gilbert Blythe gives up his teaching job in Avonlea so Anne can have it, and the two finally become friends.
Is the ending of Anne of Green Gables happy or sad?
Most readers call it bittersweet and hopeful.
What does the ending of Anne of Green Gables mean?
The ending shows Anne's growth into a responsible, loving young woman.
Is the ending of Anne of Green Gables the same in the adaptation?
The 1985 CBC miniseries follows the book's ending closely.
Who wrote Anne of Green Gables and when was it published?
Anne of Green Gables was written by L.M. Montgomery and first published in 1908.
Is Anne of Green Gables worth reading if I already know the ending?
Yes, especially if you enjoy children's novels. Knowing the ending can make a first read richer, because you notice how L.M. Montgomery prepares for it from the opening chapters.
Should I read Anne of Green Gables before reading the ending explained?
Yes, if you plan to read it, because this post gives away the whole ending.