Who Does Anne Marry In 'Anne'S House Of Dreams'?

It is satisfying for fans of redheaded heroine Anne Shirley to read the novel Anne’s House of Dreams by Lucy Maud Montgomery, in which she finally achieves her goal and marries beloved classmate Gilbert Blythe.

Anne finds that life with her husband is not all roses, but rather a challenge to keep up with Gilbert's work as a doctor, and to like their very odd neighbors. Most of all, though, she feels their loss deeply, and it draws them closer together. The only thing that makes their marriage work is that Gilbert brings out the best in Anne, and she does the same for him. Gilbert keeps Anne down to earth and sane, and Anne prevents him from becoming too dull and hard.

Montgomery brings Gilbert and Anne together in a number of sensitive scenes. In some instances, he supports her writing against his own interest of having her cook his dinner on time. More often, however, he is part of gentle moments of understanding between them. Their whispered conversations in the fireside chairs of their home are much more impressive than any outward demonstration of love. In the end, it is the sharing of laughter and tears in the quiet of their house of dreams that makes real their imaginative experiment.

Montgomery skillfully creates a unique love story between Anne and Gilbert Blythe in ‘Anne’s House of Dreams’. Unlike many novels today, there is no dramatic proposal to Gilbert’s acceptance of Anne’s hand in marriage. After many years, Anne comes to realize that Gilbert is her future in a quiet, serene setting of a sunset-filled backyard. Anne and Gilbert exchange vows in a very down-to-earth wedding ceremony where Anne declines expensive, formal wedding dresses and instead chooses a simple dress that she can wear again. This simple, yet meaningful choice symbolizes how far she has come from her Avonlea days of wanting puffed sleeves on her ribbons.

The Gilbert and Anne of the novel have an “imperfect” marriage. Gilbert is often called away to work and they do have some hilarious arguments. He teases her about her cooking – once saying that he could survive on a diet of charred pies. Most of the time however, they are shown to be very happy together. They enjoy quiet times together – reading poetry or planting a garden. Gilbert says that his vegetables are no match for Anne’s flowers.

As contrast to the Leslies and the Pringles, Anne and Gilbert work to create a resilient marriage. Tragedy does befall them, in the loss of Joyce, but Gilbert’s silent tears on Anne’s shoulder speak louder than any words in a soliloquy. And it is that steady light of the lighthouse that guides the two through the hard times, home to each other.

Anne and Gilbert finally get around to tying the knot in Anne’s House of Dreams. Their courtship was a long time in the making, ever since they were in school in Avonlea. Anne finally realizes that Gilbert is her kindred spirit, and it’s a sweet, simple wedding at Green Gables, complete with Marilla and Diana in attendance. Now a doctor, Gilbert fulfills his promise to Anne and takes her to a house of dreams by the sea. The home they share becomes the starting point for a new round of adventures and Anne discovers that true love is not just a flash in the pan but also a deep, abiding warmth and comfort that can sustain one through thick and thin.