Themes, Symbols, and Motifs in Anne of Green Gables

There are many literary elements to enrich the story of Anne of Green Gables. Students can track themes, symbols and motifs as they encounter them in the novel and create a storyboard with illustrations and descriptions that cite evidence from the text. Students can explore this by identifying a theme, symbol or motif themselves or, in an “envelope activity” being given one or more to track throughout their reading. Then, students can create a storyboard illustrating the examples of that theme from the text. Students could also track literary elements such as foreshadowing and figurative language as the story is full of them! Teachers can change the instructions accordingly if they wish for students to do that as well.

Examples of Themes in Anne of Green Gables

• Family
• The Natural World
• The importance of Home
• Religion
• Coming of Age
• Sacrifice
• Love
• Societal Norms and Roles in late 1800s
• Community
• Friendship
• Imagination
• Wonder

Examples of Symbols and Motifs in Anne of Green Gables

• Names
• Anne's Red Hair (Carrots)
• Anne's Window
• Puffed Sleeves
• The Woods
• The Road

Due Date:

Objective: Create a storyboard that identifies recurring themes, symbols or motifs found in Anne of Green Gables. Illustrate each symbol and write a short description below each cell.

Student Instructions:

1. Click "Start Assignment".
2. Identify the themes, symbols or motifs from Anne of Green Gables you wish to include and type them in the title box at the top.
3. Create an image for examples that represent each symbol using appropriate scenes, characters and items.
4. Write a description of each of the examples in the black text box.