Gilbert Blythe and Toxic Masculinity

Gilbert reached across the aisle, picked up the end of Anne’s long red braid, held it out at arm’s length and said in a piercing whisper:

“Carrots! Carrots!”

The first time I read this popular scene I thought it was just mischievous fun. I have watched this replayed in film and is, from the article I read on this website, part of a lawsuit. But now that I have been educated on male toxic masculinity it becomes clear how Gilbert Blythe is a bully and misogynist. Shortly before attacking Anne, Gilbert pins Ruby Gillis's braid to her chair so that when she stood up it pulled out by the roots, so it's just not exclusive to Anne.

Definition from Wikipedia:

The concept of toxic masculinity is used in psychology and media discussions of masculinity to refer to certain cultural norms that are associated with harm to society and to men themselves. Traditional stereotypes of men as socially dominant, along with related traits such as misogyny and homophobia, can be considered "toxic" due in part to their promotion of violence, including sexual assault and domestic violence. The socialization of boys often normalizes violence, such as in the saying "boys will be boys" with regard to bullying and aggression.

I told my Gender Studies teacher about this scene and she agrees completely and even suggested this book should be pulled from the library because it could traumatize young women. I wouldn't go that far because I think there are many fine qualities in this work. That said, I am definitely seeing Gilbert in a new light and it isn't a good one! Who else saw Gilbert as a bully?

jomarch wrote:

I told my Gender Studies teacher about this scene and she agrees completely and even suggested this book should be pulled from the library because it could traumatize young women. I wouldn't go that far because I think there are many fine qualities in this work. That said, I am definitely seeing Gilbert in a new light and it isn't a good one! Who else saw Gilbert as a bully?

Oh I don't think it should be pulled from the library. I'm a bit surprised that an educator would even support such an idea. I think Gilbert was being typical for some boys his age. It seems he was trying to get attention too from the other girls.

I don't think this commentor's topic was genuine. I think it's a troll. And you are right, an educator would never suggest pulling the book. I've taken Gender Studies myself. This person is making things up. I don't know why.

I'm baffled that in your very first post, you are making such wild and unsubstantiated accusations against me as a long time poster on these boards. My teacher grew up in a poor village in Cambodia during the tyrannical Pol Pot regime. When her family migrated to the US she was harassed by other kids of "white privilege" so she knows all about bullying. You seem upset that others have a different opinion than yours. Are you a Gilbert fan girl/shipper?

timothy wrote:

Seems like Gilbert is just trying to get Anne's attention. You forgot to mention that Anne gets Gilbert back by smashing a slate over his head. Anyway, he can't be all bad because Anne ends up marrying him!

Anne is acting in self defense to protect herself from Gilbert's toxic masculinity. Another terrible individual is Mr. Phillips. In Anne with an E, he is a homophobe who acts cruelly toward Cole McKenzie.