Jane Andrews in Anne of Green Gables

Who is Jane Andrews?

Jane Andrews is one of Anne Shirley’s schoolmates and a regular member of the circle of Avonlea girls. She participates in the story club, school concerts, and social outings, and she appears both at Green Gables and later at Queen’s with Anne. Jane is unflashy and dependable: she shares walks and confidences with Anne (walking with her the morning results are posted), attends performances and school events at which Anne takes part, and studies alongside Anne in the Queen’s class. She contributes to the everyday texture of school life—helping stage tableaux, taking part in the concert party at the White Sands Hotel, and being one of the friends who visit Anne at Queen’s. Jane’s presence is a steadying social influence rather than a source of drama; she exemplifies the ordinary, hardworking Avonlea pupil whose companionship helps Anne feel anchored during successes and crises.

In the book: Jane Andrews is one of Anne’s Avonlea classmates and friends, a sensible, well-behaved companion who rounds out the circle of local schoolgirls. She often serves as a steady, practical counterpoint to Anne’s imagination, helping to depict everyday community life and the social world of the schoolroom without driving the central plot.

Personality

Steady

She walks with Anne the morning the Queen’s results are posted, calm and confident while Anne is anxious (Chapter 36).

Practical

She takes part responsibly in school activities and the story club, offering ordinary companionship rather than dramatic flights of fancy (Chapters 26, 30).

Supportive

She visits Anne at Queen’s to ease her homesickness and shares ordinary student life with her (Chapters 34–35).

Unassuming

Jane’s demeanor contrasts with more flamboyant classmates—she quietly stands by Anne at concerts and school events (Chapters 33, 36).

Character arc

Jane’s role is one of quiet progression rather than dramatic transformation. She begins as an Avonlea schoolgirl who joins Anne and others in imaginative play, the story club, and village entertainments. As the narrative moves forward she becomes part of the more serious academic life: she joins the Queen’s class with Anne (Chapter 30) and later accompanies Anne to Queen’s (Chapter 34), helping to relieve Anne’s homesickness and to situate herself among the college students. By the time of the Avery scholarship announcements and commencement (Chapters 36), Jane is an accomplished pupil who attends ceremonies with Anne and plans for the near future; later references (Chapter 37) list her among those preparing to teach. Throughout, Jane remains consistent—she grows academically and moves from village girl to trained teacher without losing the calm steadiness that defines her contribution to Anne’s life.

Relationships

• Anne Shirley Close friend and schoolmate who walks with Anne at key moments and visits her at Queen’s (Chapters 26, 33–36).
• Diana Barry Friend and frequent companion in Avonlea pastimes and social outings (Chapters 26, 29).
• Ruby Gillis Classmate and fellow member of the story club and school circle (Chapters 26, 28).
• Miss Stacy Teacher whose organization of the Queen’s class brings Jane into more advanced studies alongside Anne (Chapter 30).
• Gilbert Blythe Fellow Queen’s class pupil and friendly academic rival to Anne, moving in the same study circle as Jane (Chapters 30, 36).

Quotes by Jane Andrews

““I’ve lost seven pounds in the last two weeks,” sighed Jane.”

Chapter 35Jane’s anxiety about exams illustrates the high stakes the students attach to academic success and contrasts with Anne’s calmer view.

Why Jane Andrews matters

Jane functions as the communal, stabilizing presence in Anne’s social world. She embodies the respectable, earnest Avonlea pupil whose reliability and modest companionship allow Anne’s more dramatic tendencies to be normalized and tested in friendship. By sharing both trivial pleasures (concerts, walks, story clubs) and serious academic pursuits (the Queen’s class, college life), Jane helps the novel show how community, education, and steady friendships shape young women’s maturation. Her steady progression toward teaching mirrors the book’s themes of female ambition grounded in duty and local ties.

Chapters with Jane Andrews

• Chapter 10
• Chapter 14
• Chapter 15
• Chapter 18
• Chapter 19
• Chapter 21
• Chapter 23
• Chapter 24
• Chapter 25
• Chapter 26
• Chapter 28
• Chapter 29
• Chapter 30
• Chapter 31
• Chapter 32
• Chapter 33
• Chapter 34
• Chapter 35
• Chapter 36
• Chapter 37
• Chapter 38

More Anne of Green Gables characters

• Anne ShirleyProtagonist
• Marilla CuthbertMajor character
• Matthew CuthbertMajor character
• Diana BarryMajor character
• Ruby GillisMinor character
• Rachel LyndeMinor character
• Gilbert BlytheMajor character
• Josie PyeMinor character