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

Challenging Gender Norms: Anne Shirley’s Rejection of Femininity in Anne of Green Gables

Amanda Rania Yaasin (English Literature Study Program, Faculty of Languages and Arts, Universitas Negeri Semarang, Indonesia)
Imas Istiani (English Literature Study Program, Faculty of Languages and Arts, Universitas Negeri Semarang, Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
09 Jun 2026

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.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

ideas

Publisher

Subject

Languange, Linguistic, Communication & Media

Description

IDEAS Journal is published twice a year in the months of June and December (P-ISSN 2338-4778 and E-ISSN 2548-4192); it presents articles on English language teaching and learning, linguistics, and literature. The contents include analyses, studies and application of theories, research report, ...