Pauline Harris

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Pauline Harris
Physical information
Gender	Female
Hair colour	Brown
Skin colour	Fair
Family information
Family members	Josiah Harris (father) Margaret Harris (mother) Morgan Harris (brother) Emmeline Harris (niece) Adelaide Pringle (sister-in-law)
Family	Harris family

Pauline Harris was the daughter of Margaret Harris, the sister of Morgan, and the aunt of Emmeline Harris.

Biography

Pauline was born to Margaret Pringle and Josiah Harris in the mid-1800s in Kingsport, New Brunswick. She was the younger sister of Morgan. Around 1890, she had a romantic involvement with a man named Isaac Kent, but her mother disapproved of the relationship and once set their bull terrier on Isaac when he came around to see Pauline. Her brother went on to marry their maternal first cousin, Adelaide Pringle, the mother of Pauline's niece Emmeline. Pauline was fond of the couple, recalling Morgan as robust and handsome and Adelaide as a lover of music and parties. However, the relationship turned sour and Adelaide died shortly after giving birth, supposedly of a broken heart. Mrs. Harris and the rest of the Pringle family turned on Morgan for the death, but Pauline did not believe it was his fault. After Josiah died, Morgan had to travel for business and Emmeline was sent to boarding school, leaving the middle-aged Pauline to take care of her ailing, wheelchair-bound mother. They lived in virtual isolation at Maplehurst, with Pauline completely at the mercy of the domineering and oppressive Mrs. Harris. Her mother did not allow her to do anything without permission and would guilt Pauline into staying home by exaggerating her poor health.

In the early 1900s, Morgan sent Emmeline to live at Maplehurst. Pauline could do little to help her niece as Mrs. Harris wanted nothing to do with the child. That all changed when some old diaries arrived from Anne Shirley, Emmeline's teacher at Kingsport Ladies' College. Pauline and Mrs. Harris were horrified to find an entry detailing how Josiah had cannibalized a dead body to survive after being shipwrecked. They misinterpreted this as a threat and feared Miss Shirley would pass the information on to the Pringles, who would publicize it to disgrace the Harris family. Anne had actually intended the diaries as a gift in exchange for tutoring Emmeline at home, and Mrs. Harris granted the request.

One day, Pauline wanted to leave Kingsport for a day and attend the silver wedding anniversary of her cousin Louisa, whose bridesmaid she had been fifteen years ago. Mrs. Harris refused and left the choice to Pauline's conscience, knowing that Pauline would never leave her to die alone. However, Miss Shirley was determined that Pauline would do what she wanted for once, and told Mrs. Harris that rumors would spread if her daughter did not attend the party. She explained that a good daughter like Pauline deserved a day off once in a while and promised to keep Mrs. Harris company. Mrs. Harris agreed but insisted that Pauline wear her usual black taffeta.

While Pauline was getting ready, Anne snuck into her bedroom and gave her a dress she had worn to her best friend Diana's wedding. Pauline was reluctant and feared Mrs. Harris would change her mind, but Anne insisted since wearing black to a wedding anniversary might bring bad luck. She also brought apple blossom perfume, which reminded Pauline of Adelaide. Mrs. Harris conducted a full inspection of Pauline, criticizing her color and perfume but not noticing the dress under the taffeta. When Pauline returned the next day, she was amazed by how bright and cheerful her mother was, and gave her a bouquet from Louisa. However, she had to be careful since she had met Isaac Kent for the first time in fifteen years and he had driven her home. Pauline told Anne about the wonderful time she had and was not unhappy to return, saying she realized it was nice that her mother needed her. Anne let her keep the dress in case she ever got the chance to wear it again.

When Morgan returned to Kingsport, the Harris family invited Anne on an excursion to Boston. Pauline spent the better part of the train ride catering to her mother's every whim and listen to her complain. While at Morgan's house, she had to watch her mother and brother argue over whom Emmeline should live with, while having little say in the matter herself. Back in Kingsport, Isaac asked Pauline to marry him. When Mrs. Harris found out, she fell ill, which Pauline blamed on herself. She asked Anne to smooth things over with her mother, and Miss Shirley did so successfully. Mrs. Harris forgave Pauline and passed away soon afterwards. Finally free from her mother's control, Pauline accepted Isaac's proposal.

Physical appearance

Pauline has brown hair tied up in a bun and always wears the same black taffeta.

Behind the scenes

Portrayal

• Kate Lynch portrayed Pauline in Anne of Green Gables: The Sequel (1987). Lynch later played Theodora Dixen on Road to Avonlea (1990–1996).

Trivia

• Pauline is based on Pauline Gibson from Anne of Windy Poplars.
• The dress that Anne gives Pauline is the same dress she wore to Diana's wedding.

Gallery

Anne of Green Gables Wiki has 2 images of Pauline Harris (view category).

Appearances

• Anne of Green Gables: The Sequel (1987)