Bortom Avonleas idyll : – Normer och normbrott i L.M. Montgomerys Anne på Grönkulla

Sammanfattning

This essay aims to examine and explore two characters, Anne, and Gilbert, in L.M Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables (1908). The paper focuses on their portrayal as normative and norm-breaking within their hometown, Avonlea. The theoretical framework is a queer theoretical approach with the main objective being norms and breaking of norms. Other common queer theoretical topics such as sexuality, identity and gender are something this paper also explore, however to a lesser extent. The analysis and discussion explore and conclude that Anne and Gilbert have multiple differences as well as similarities. They come from a similar upbringing and background as they do not have any siblings and have had to take responsibility of themselves at an early age. The two are furthermore new residents in Avonlea and have high academic ambitions. The paper moreover discusses their differences where questions about Gilbert, his behavior and privilege emerge. In Anne’s case, questions and discussions about gender norms, patriarchal structures and her transformation emerge instead. The paper establishes in the end that Anne appears to be norm-breaking whilst Gilbert does not.