Emmeline Harris

Emmeline Harris was the daughter of Morgan Harris and Adelaide Pringle, the granddaughter of Margaret Harris, and a student of Anne Shirley at Kingsport Ladies' College.

Biography[]

Emmeline was born to Morgan Harris and Adelaide Pringle, circa 1891. Her mother ran off shortly after and died of consumption, which the spiteful Pringle family, including Emmeline's grandmother Margaret Harris, blamed on Morgan. Due to her father's preoccupation with his business affairs abroad, their relationship grew distant and rumors spread that Morgan could not stand the sight of his daughter. After attending two different boarding schools and never living with her father, Emmeline was sent to Kingsport Ladies' College in New Brunswick to be close to her grandmother while Morgan worked in Boston. She initially lived at the school and became friends with Essie, a girl with a tendency to faint.

In the early 1900s when Emmeline was thirteen, Anne Shirley became the new English and literature professor at KLC. Emmeline took an immediate liking to Miss Shirley and helped her get through a rough first day of class at the hands of the Pringle girls, in particular Jen Pringle. Later, she and Essie were riding a bicycle on campus when Jen took the opportunity to insult Emmeline's father. A physical fight broke out between the two girls, resulting in Jen intentionally breaking Emmeline's spectacles. Katherine Brooke, the strict principal of the college, confiscated the bicycle, despite Essie's pleas that it belonged to her brother.

Emmeline later sought Miss Shirley's help to get the bicycle back. She and Anne climbed up onto the roof of the shed where the bike was stored, only to fall through and be caught by Miss Brooke. Katherine considered the incident to be stealing and spoke to Morgan the next day, claiming his daughter had no consideration for rules. Morgan took offense and withdrew Emmeline and his financial support from the school. He sent her to live at Maplehurst, the lavish mansion where Mrs. Harris and her daughter Pauline lived.

Emmeline was unhappy at Maplehurst. Her grandmother did not love her at all. Mrs. Harris never let her to go out alone, would nearly pass out if she made any noise, and always referred to her as just "the child." Emmeline dreamed of running away forever and becoming an actress. One day, she snuck out while Grandmama and Aunt Pauline were napping and went back to KLC, watching as Anne and her students rehearsed Mary, Queen of Scots with Jen in the lead role. Anne caught up with Emmeline, who cried and admitted she had always wanted to do a play but never had the chance. Anne got another copy of the play and convinced Mrs. Harris to let her tutor Emmeline at Maplehurst. The two studied together and rehearsed the show, and Mrs. Harris even let them play her piano. Anne also bought Emmeline a brand new pair of spectacles.

On the day of the show, Jen called off sick. Miss Shirley saw through this scheme and spoke to Morgan personally to let his daughter star in the show. Morgan agreed and Emmeline's dream of being in a play came true that night when she stole everyone's heart as Mary, Queen of Scots. Morgan was overjoyed and let Emmeline go back to KLC next term. The Harris family later took Anne on a trip to Boston, where they enjoyed themselves tremendously.

Some time after returning to Kingsport, Mrs. Harris took a bad spell and passed away. Pauline accepted a marriage proposal and Morgan decided to sell Maplehurst. Emmeline and Anne said their goodbyes, with Emmeline saying there was no one in the world like Miss Shirley. She then went back to Boston with her father.

Personality[]

Physical appearance[]

Emmeline has brown hair and wears spectacles.

Relationships[]

Etymology[]

Behind the scenes[]

Portrayal

Genevieve Appleton portrayed Emmeline in Anne of Green Gables: The Sequel (1987).

Trivia

Emmeline is based on Elizabeth Grayson and Sophy Sinclair from Anne of Windy Poplars.

Gallery[]

Anne of Green Gables Wiki has 6 images of Emmeline Harris (view category).

Appearances[]

Anne of Green Gables: The Sequel (1987)

Emmeline Harris

Contents