Imas Istiani
English Literature Study Program, Faculty of Languages and Arts, Universitas Negeri Semarang, Indonesia

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Challenging Gender Norms: Anne Shirley’s Rejection of Femininity in Anne of Green Gables Amanda Rania Yaasin; Imas Istiani
IDEAS: Journal on English Language Teaching and Learning, Linguistics and Literature Vol. 14 No. 1 (2026): IDEAS: Journal on English Language Teaching and Learning, Linguistics and Lite
Publisher : Universitas Islam Negeri Palopo

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.24256/ideas.v14i1.9689

Abstract

This study examines how a nineteenth-century norm of femininity began to be questioned through the character of Anne Shirley in the novel Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery. Although this novel has been widely discussed in relation to childhood and moral development, Anne's behavior in this work is particularly noteworthy because it can be interpreted as a performative challenge to limited gender expectations. Using Judith Butler's theory of gender performativity, this study applies qualitative textual analysis to several selected scenes, using narrative description and interaction analysis between characters. The results show that Anne's expressiveness, intellectual ambition, and resistance to discipline can be seen as having a performative function that undermines social constructions of femininity. This study also shows that Anne's characterization operates in accordance with literary performances of gender resistance, rather than simply being an unconventional personality. These findings also contribute to the current feminist literary discussion on gender identity in classical texts.