Anne of Green Gables and all but one of its sequels are set in the Canadian province of Prince Edward Island, near the close of the nineteenth century. Montgomery consistently highlights the setting; each book in the series offers a detailed and affectionate portrayal of Prince Edward Island. However, Montgomery deliberately keeps the temporal setting ambiguous. This could be an effort to make her work appear timeless and relevant to any era, or she might aim to create a magical version of Avonlea that exists beyond ordinary time.

Throughout the entire series, Montgomery only references historical events twice: the Crimean War (which concluded in 1856) is mentioned as having occurred a few generations ago, and World War I (which started in 1914) is depicted as a distant future event. Montgomery captures the innocence of peaceful times in simple farming communities, where political awareness is limited to the local contests between the Liberal and Conservative parties for control of the province. Even the most informed citizens seem unaware of the complexities of global politics.

Anne of Green Gables features an episodic plot, meaning the story unfolds through a series of minor conflicts that are mostly quickly resolved. While some resolutions may seem overly reliant on luck or coincidence, Anne's diverse adventures keep the narrative engaging and suspenseful.

Montgomery provides numerous details about Anne, highlighting both her virtues and flaws. While Anne resembles children in other early twentieth-century novels, some modern readers might find her overly agreeable, excessively optimistic, or exceptionally talented. Additionally, the focus on Anne is so intense that the minor characters lack depth, a common issue in young adult literature from that era.

Montgomery's novel aligns with the literary tradition set by Horatio Alger, an author known for his immensely popular "rags-to-riches" stories published in the late nineteenth century. Alger's works depict the successes of young orphans who are intelligent, hardworking, ambitious, good-natured, and honorable—essentially ideal young people by the standards of the time. Although Anne Shirley never fully becomes the "model child" she aspires to be, her achievements in Avonlea mirror the Horatio Alger pattern. Starting as an unwanted orphan, she becomes one of the most cherished children in Avonlea. Like Alger's orphans, Anne gains acceptance through her unwavering determination to cultivate all her talents.

Anne of Green Gables tackles social issues from the early twentieth century, many of which still resonate today. Written before American women gained the right to vote, Montgomery emphasizes that boys and girls possess equal intelligence and abilities. While she depicts gender roles that might seem stereotypical by modern standards—such as Anne becoming a teacher later in the series—her views were quite forward-thinking for 1908. For example, all the competent graduates of the Avonlea school, regardless of gender, pursue further education at Redmond College.

Montgomery also highlights the significance of quality education and the necessity for passionate, supportive teachers. Miss Muriel Stacy's empathy and encouragement inspire her students far more than Mr. Phillips's sarcasm. Other books in the series delve into teachers' qualifications and the teacher selection process.

Anne of Green Gables also mirrors some negative attitudes of 1908. Although some characters leave Avonlea, many residents believe people should remain in one place their entire lives. Most townspeople are not only convinced that Prince Edward Island is the best place on earth but are also wary of any ideas or individuals from outside the area. They particularly dislike "Yankees," view French-speaking Canadians as intellectually and socially inferior, and treat them with a condescension that is unacceptable by today's standards.

Montgomery penned six sequels to Anne of Green Gables: Anne of Avonlea, Chronicles...