A Goodreads user
A Goodreads user asked:

Would it really make a bad impression if one had red hair?

To answer questions about Anne of Green Gables, please sign up.
Dawnstream At that time, yes. This book was written in Canada in 1908. In the mid and late 1800's, redheaded Irish immigrants flooded into the eastern U.S. and Canada, due to widespread social injustice and starvation in Ireland. They were heavily discriminated against for generations afterwards. Her red hair marks as a likely Irish American and, therefore, she was probably shiftless and a criminal.
Jessica S Shoshan Don't forget Seti! In Egypt, once upon a time before the men were gods, he had fair skin and red hair and they associated red and white with evil the way we might the color black. He was stigmatized - but then, he was a murderer. One poses the question of nature vs. nurture in those cases. Did the abuse drive him mad...? Very possible.
Grant Broadhurst Yes. Redheads have been disliked and even discriminated against for centuries.

Why?
1. Judas was supposedly a redhead (but then so was David, so go figure...).
2. The Irish are often redheads, and the British did not like the Irish.
3. Redheads are different. Augh! Different!

Also, redheads lack souls and if you look in their eyes, they steal your soul. They also have reputations for having bad tempers and being unreliable.

Really, it's a lot of nonsense.
Sarah Rhue Historically, redheads were often disfavored. They were thought to bring bad luck to ships, and were said to be witches. These unfair superstitions led women to dye, or- depending upon the time period- powder their hair. Even today stereotypes remain involving redheads. It is an unfair impression that I personally think ridiculous and unfortunate. Red is my favorite hair color.
Fallon If people in that time were more secure like we are now, then people would become friends with them. In that era of time red haired people we kind hearted and talkative when they got a chance to because 90% of the time they were alone and not recognized and when they were it was not in a good way
Juliko Nowadays, no way. But in the time period the book takes place, and before then, yes. I've heard somewhere that in the Victorian/Edwardian era, people with red hair were considered shifty or akin to criminals. Girls with red hair were often accused of being promiscuous or overtly lustful.
Danica I think no.
I have red hair and I really enjoyed this book, I could not relate to Anne, because I have never been teased of my red hair , everyone loves it!!!
Deidra Witschorke I have just returned from Chebogue, Nova Scotia. While there, I saw as many redheads as any other color if hair. Being a redhead myself, I was thoroughly pleased. I asked several if they had ever observed how many
folks had it. It seemed absolutely normal and almost cultural that this was so.
Rozita Berry I should think redheads would like to have a heroine they can identify with. Like Anne.
Matt According to Cartman, it mean you have no soul. So that's pretty bad, I think.
C. (Never PM. Comment, or e-mail if private!) No. Anne just personally didn't feel good-looking with freckles and red hair, which didn't match some garment colours.
Robin Red hair is less common than other colors. And like any unusual trait, children get teased for it sometimes. Although it may have been more common in the past, it still happens today.
Kateřina I would say in the past at some places. Canada at that time, yup. Either you are terrible or sacred, that's how difference in people works. Uniqueness attracts extreme opinions. Nowadays, being a red head is kinda cool.
Avneet Kaur No. Everybody is considered equal, or at least, supposed to be considered equal, so I do not understand why any person with red hair should be treated any differently then somebody (for example) who has brown hair.
It's the personality that counts, and I think Anne was a great character.
Image for Anne of Green Gables
Rate this book
Clear rating

About Goodreads Q&A

Ask and answer questions about books!

You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.

See Featured Authors Answering Questions

Learn more