For the publication of The Road to Yesterday, the narrative sections were deleted along with all but one of the poems and the sequence of the stories was reorganized. All of the short stories included make some mention of the Blythe family. As a side note, stay tuned for Benjamin Lefebvre's critical edition of The Blythes Are Quoted, which he is currently working on. He's a Ph.D. candidate in English at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario.
The Road to Yesterday contains the poem "Canadian Twilight" and 14 stories, which are listed and described below. For each story I've taken notes on mentions of the mentions of the Blythe family:
"Canadian Twilight" - poem
"An Afternoon with Mr. Jenkins"
"Retribution"
"The Twins Pretend"
"Fancy's Fool"
"A Dream Come True"
"Penelope Struts her Theories"
"The Reconciliation"
"The Cheated Child"
"Fool's Errand"
"The Pot and the Kettle"
"Here Comes the Bride"
"Brothers Beware"
"The Road to Yesterday"
"A Commonplace Woman"
Below follows descriptions of the stories and where the Blythes are mentioned. These descriptions have some mild spoilers for Road to Yesterday and spoilers for Rilla of Ingleside, so be warned:
"An
Afternoon with Mr. Jenkins" (originally published in The
Family Herald August 2, 1933)
Eight year old orphaned Timothy lives with his two aunts. One afternoon
they go to Charlottetown, and he meets a familiar stranger, Mr. Jenkins.
Mentions/Appearances of the Blythes: Jem Blythe and Timothy are
close friends. Timothy thinks of Mrs. and Dr. Blythe as the "finest
people in the world." Set in the early 1900s when Jem is around
8.
"Retribution"
Clarissa Wilcox is on a journey to Lowbridge to speak to her old enemy, David
Anderson, on his deathbed. She is determined to say things she has waited
for 40 years to say to him. This story is very dark, ghost-like, and
unique.
Mentions/Appearances of the Blythes: Dr. Blythe is Anderson's
doctor. Clarissa hears that Anderson is dying through Susan Baker. An
age old feud between the Baker and the Wilcox families is mentioned. Anne
and Susan have a conversation about beauty and the feud and Gilbert enters
and teases Susan. Anne is preparing a cake for Kenneth Ford, who will
be celebrating his birthday at the "House of Dreams." Clarissa
looks at Gilbert talking to a nurse outside the Anderson home and thinks, "Young
fools...she is trying to get up a flirtation with Dr. Blythe." She
also implies coldly that there is more to the relationship of Gilbert and Mrs.
Owen Ford than friendship and calls Anne "stuck-up."
"The
Twins Pretend"
Ten-year old twins, Jill and P.G. (nicknamed by Jill - Porky or Pig) meet Anthony
Lennox, a millionaire publisher visiting P.E.I. Jill explains their boredom,
and that she had wanted to pretend that she and P.G. had bought Orchard Slope
and brought it back to life, and Anthony proposes they make this idea a reality. They
plan a housewarming and also plan to help Anthony, which turns out better than
even they could have expected.
Mentions/Appearances of the Blythes:Nan and Diana had visited
the night before and Jill and P.G. are in trouble for entertaining them too
well and giving them so many snacks. Susan Baker is mentioned often,
making her sound quite the gossip, Diana is quoted, and the "pretend" games
of Rainbow Valley are talked of, Orchard Slope is often compared to Ingleside,
and Anthony compares his young love to Anne. P.G. is stuck on both Nan
and Diana, according to Jill. Anne and Gilbert arrive for the housewarming
and as the events unfold, the two share their thoughts of the past. Set
in the early 1900s.
"Fancy's
Fool"
Esmé Dalley, an orphan who grew up with various aunts and uncles, is considering
marriage to Allardyce Barry and is going to meet his family at their home,
Longmeadow. Allardyce is a popular and sought after, whereas Esmé is
quiet, delicate and reserved. Esmé continues to think of Francis, a man
she is no longer certain existed. Esmé sees a photo of an old sea-captain
of the 1860s, whose appearance stuns her. She thinks back to when she
was eight years old and of her Aunt Hester at Birkentrees and a locked garden. She
makes her decision and then returns to the garden, where she runs into someone.
Mentions/Appearances of the Blythes:Gilbert is mentioned of knowing
something about Allardyce and thinks it's a shame Esmé is considering marrying
him. Alardyce only once tried to flirt with Anne. Anne and Gilbert
discuss "imagination" and later "matchmaking," and Gilbert
mentions his concerns for Esmé. Stephen and Jem are mentioned to share
a German prison in the future.
"A
Dream Come True"
Anthony Fingold, the general handyman of the Glen, is discontented with his
life and his marriage to Clara. Instead, he still dreams of Caroline
Wilkes, neé Mallard's, attentions, of whom he has dreamed since youth. Circumstances
place Anthony as a guard at Caroline's door, and what follows would surprise
anyone..
Mentions/Appearances of the Blythes:We learn that Dr. Blythe wears
pyjamas, and that Caroline recognizes his expertise as a doctor.
"Penelope
Struts her Theories"
Penelope Craig, a lecturer on child psychology and authority on child training
decides to adopt a boy (Lionel). we learn that Dr. Roger Galbraith has
been pursuing Penelope for the past ten years despite her refusals. Trouble
ensues when Lionel doesn't bend to Penelope's theories of child rearing, and
she takes in a second boy for the summer.
Mentions/Appearances of the Blythes:At a bridge party, after Penelope's
departure, the party including Anne discuss her adoption plans. Anne
thinks of her adoption and early days at Green Gables, and someone notes her
outspokenness. She also recalls her own romance, Josie Pye, and Anthony
Pye. Penelope grows tired and jealous of Roger's references to Mrs. Blythe,
their home and family. Set in the early 1900s when Jem and Walter are
young.
"The
Reconciliation"
After hearing the Rev. Mr. Meredith's sermon on forgiveness, Myrtle Shelley
resolves to go to Lowbridge to forgive her old friend Lisle Stephens for stealing
Ronald Evans from her thirty years ago at a dance. Myrtle had slapped
her.
Mentions/Appearances of the Blythes:After Mr. Meredith's sermon,
Myrtle hears Anne say that she must forgive Josie Pye now. Myrtle believes
Anne too shallow to harbor bitterness for so long and "had been heard
to say that it was a pity Dr. Blythe had not selected a woman of deeper nature
for his wife."
"The
Cheated Child"
Eight year old Pat is an orphan. His Uncle Stephen has died just died
and he has to choose to live with his preferred aunt or uncle, a frightening
prospect to him, until he is 21 and old enough to receive the huge inheritance
left to him. First, he is to live with each uncle or aunt for three months
and then make his decision. Each aunt or uncle vies for the $2000/year
allowance for his board and care, and Pat realizes they all want the money
and not him. He lives through a year of unhappiness, and then rebels
on a bus ride, leading him to Sometyme Farm, a place familiar to him to a reason.
Mentions/Appearances of the Blythes:It is mentioned that Walter
calls Patrick "Pat" as he prefers and is very similar and close to
him, but they don't often meet because Uncle Stephen doesn't like the Blythes
or educated women. He compares his home and family and his other world
to Ingleside. There are a number of references of what Pat's uncles and
aunts think of the Blythes (very negative towards Dr. Blythe and Walter) and
vice versa. It also mentions Mrs. Dr. Galbraith of "Penelope Struts
her Theories."
"Fool's
Errand" (originally published in The Family Herald on
February 22, 1933)
Lincoln Burns took care of care of his invalid mother for years. After
her death, he is very lonely and without purpose. His sister, Helen,
asks his plans and pressures him to marry. He remembers a long ago promise
he made when he was 10 or 11 to a young girl, and returns to fulfill it.
Mentions/Appearances of the Blythes:
It's mentioned that Dr. Blythe must have made a fortune out of the late Mrs.
Burns. Lincoln remembers his mother saying Gilbert and matchmaking Anne
want to marry Susan Baker off to him. Lincoln envies Dr. Blythe's life,
and thinks of advice given by both Anne and Gilbert.
"The
Pot and the Kettle"
Phyllis Christine Dunbar Clark, "Chrissie," has been sent by her
Dad and Mrs. Clark to visit her old nurse, Aunty Clack (Mrs. Polly Claxton),
at her country home, "Memory," for the month. Chrissie was
raised by her great-aunt, Mrs. Clark (who hates Mrs. Claxton, but whom Chrissie
loves), since her mother died at her birth. Mrs. Claxton is horrified
to learn Mrs. Merrion's gardener, Don Glynne, bought Chrissie's pie. Chrissie
thought he was very handsome and enjoyed his company. We learn that Chrissie's
father and Mrs. Clark want her to marry George Fraser because Chrissie and
George will be left a huge inheritance of her Uncle Edward if they marry before
her 21st birthday. Chrissie, however, has not met him and does not want
to marry him, and this is the reason she was sent away for the summer. After
the dance, she begins to date Don who believes she is a nursery governess and
Mrs. Claxton's niece. He falls in love with her, but a gardener is not
someone Chrissie could marry. The plot works itself out in true LMM fashion.
Mentions/Appearances of the Blythes:Nan, Di and Rilla attended
the barn dance with Chrissie. Ken Ford is said to be "gone" over
Rilla, and we learn he bought Rilla's pie. Jem Blythe and Faith "Somebody-or-another" are
said to be sweet on each other, and as good as engaged. Jem is going
to college to study to be a doctor like his father. Chrissie mentions
that leaving out the Blythes and Fords, Glynne was the "only possible
man there" at the dance. Mrs. Claxton compliments and quotes the
Blythe's often and says she owes her life to the Doctor, as does Don. Chrissie
throws something out her window much like Valancy does in The Blue Castle. Set
following the world war.
"Here
Comes the Bride"
Evelyn March and Dr.Darcy Phillips are getting married in the Glen St. Mary's
church. This short story is quite unique in viewing the wedding through
the gossip and mental thoughts of the guests in attendance. Then we learn
the true story behind the wedding from a conversation between Mary Hamilton
and Susan Baker.
Mentions/Appearances of the Blythes:
Rilla Blythe is one of the bridesmaids. Mrs. Dr. Blythe and Mrs. Jem
Blythe are listed as guests. Basically, the Blythes are mentioned on
virtually every page of this story. Set following the world war.
"Brothers
Beware" (originally
published in Country Home in June 1936)
Brothers, Amos and Timothy Randebush have lived alone with their housekeeper
Matilda Merry, ever since Amos' wife Nancy died 15 years ago. Timothy
hates Mrs. Alma Winkworth, and fears his brother wants to marry her, so he
makes a plan to prevent it.
Mentions/Appearances of the Blythes:Anne is matchmaking again
with Alma and Amos according to many. She is planning to visit Avonlea. Again,
Gilbert and Anne are quoted and compared to. The Kenneth Ford house is
one of the settings.
"The
Road to Yesterday"
Suzette King, a sub-editor of a small provincial paper, has been invited by
Harvey Brooks to meet his family at Glenellyn. She expects him to ask
her to marry him by the end of the visit and expects to say "yes." The
second day of her visit, she takes her car out on a lone drive in Glen St.
Mary, where she spent her summers as a child. She remembers Dick, the
bully who Di Blythe once slapped, and wonders what became of him. She
then runs into him, and determines to make him realize she still hates him
as much as she ever did and wonders why she can't.
Mentions/Appearances of the Blythes:Susette spent her summers
at Glen St. Mary with the Blythe children. She's around Jem and Di's
age. Suzette's green eyes remind people of Anne's, and her laugh is similar
to Nan's. Suzette and Dick both reminisce about the Blythe children. We
learn Jem had a youthful passion for Suzette before falling for Faith. Set
in the 1920s.
"A
Commonplace Woman"
The John Anderson family (the same Anderson family as in the story "Retribution")
is impatiently waiting for eighty-five year old Great-aunt Ursula to die. Dr.
Parsons is in attendance and we learn his thoughts and a number of family member's
thoughts of Ursula where they barely believe Ursula is human or interesting
and describe her as a "commonplace" or "forgotten woman." Then
we hear Ursula's own story as she waits for Death, which is anything but "commonplace."
Mentions/Appearances of the Blythes:Dr. Parsons thinks of Dr.
Blythe as "an old man." It's mentioned that he was never the
same after his son was killed in the Great War. Set during the second
World War, where several of Gilbert's grandsons are going to war, including
Gilbert Ford (Air Force) who was in Toronto and engaged to a girl there. We
also hear mention of Walter Blythe, named for his uncle.
Last Updated 03.08.07
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