Anne of Green Gables
Mrs. Barry
Diana's mother
Diana's strict, protective mother, who bans Anne from her house and later thanks her for saving a life.
Mrs. Barry is a tall, severe woman with dark hair in a high chignon and piercing dark eyes. She is concerned with decorum and protective of her children, Diana and the baby Minnie May. She does not tolerate wickedness, and she is quick to decide what counts as wicked.
She meets Anne with Marilla at Orchard Slope, where the two girls first become friends. She is polite at first, but her trust in Anne is fragile. One mishap with currant wine is enough to ruin it, and her dignity only breaks when her youngest child is in danger.
“I was wrong about you, Anne. You saved my baby's life, and you and Diana can be friends forever.”
In the story
Contains spoilers.
After Diana comes home tipsy, Mrs. Barry storms into Green Gables, accuses Anne of setting a wicked example, and tells Diana that she may never play with Anne again. Anne's apology and Marilla's explanation make no difference.
Months later, Mrs. Barry is away when baby Minnie May falls ill with croup. Anne's quick work with ipecac saves the baby, and the doctor tells Mrs. Barry that the red-headed girl saved her baby's life. Mrs. Barry tearfully says she was wrong about Anne and that she and Diana can be friends forever.
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