Matthew Cuthbert is the older brother of Marilla Cuthbert and lives with her at Green Gables, a farm in the rural community of Avonlea. He is a lifelong bachelor who has never married and is known for his extreme shyness, especially around women and girls, often struggling to find words in their presence. Physically, he is described as gangly with shoulder-length gray hair and a full beard, typically dressed in simple farmers clothing. Though quiet and reserved, Matthew possesses a deeply warm and good-natured heart. He is a hardworking and conscientious farmer who takes his responsibilities seriously, yet he rarely expresses his emotions through words, instead communicating through gentle looks and quiet actions.

Matthew's central motivation is his desire to provide a stable, loving home for Anne Shirley, the imaginative and talkative orphan who is mistakenly sent to the Cuthberts. From their very first carriage ride from the train station, Matthew is charmed by Anne's vivid imagination and her earnest, open manner. Despite the initial plan being to adopt a boy to help with farm work, Matthew immediately feels a profound connection with Anne and becomes her most steadfast ally. He quietly but firmly argues for allowing Anne to stay, and his silent, unwavering support is instrumental in convincing Marilla to keep her.

In the story, Matthew serves as Anne's adoptive father figure and her first true kindred spirit. He is the one who most readily appreciates her flights of fancy, her love of beauty, and her yearning for belonging. His role is often that of a gentle encourager and a soft counterbalance to Marilla's stricter, more pragmatic approach to raising Anne. He spoils Anne in the quietest ways, most memorably by secretly purchasing a dress with the puff sleeves she so desperately desires for a concert, a gesture that speaks volumes about his attuned understanding of her happiness.

Key relationships anchor Matthew's character. His bond with Marilla is one of deep mutual respect and unspoken affection, though their contrasting temperaments often lead to Marilla wishing he would argue openly rather than simply look pleadingly. With Anne, their relationship is one of unconditional love. Matthew not only supports Anne but also becomes more attuned to the world through her eyes; he notices social nuances he had never cared about before, such as the difference in her clothing compared to her peers, and instinctively takes her side. Anne, in turn, draws strength from his blind faith in her abilities, especially regarding her academic ambitions.

Matthew's development is subtle but significant. Initially a man who seldom leaves the farm and avoids social contact, he gradually becomes more involved in Anne's life, engaging with her world and even attending community events for her sake. His quiet stubbornness becomes a quiet strength. The most pivotal moment in his arc is his sudden death from a heart attack, which occurs shortly after Anne excels in her Queen's Academy entrance exams. His passing is a profound loss for Anne and Marilla, leaving a deep emotional scar and marking the end of an era at Green Gables.

Notable abilities include his exceptional skill in managing the farm with quiet efficiency and his remarkable talent for silent persuasion. His ability to hold fast to his opinion without ever raising his voice or entering an argument makes him an unexpectedly formidable presence, particularly in convincing Marilla. More than any practical skill, however, his greatest ability is his capacity for unwavering, tender love and his instinct to see the best in Anne, which provides the emotional bedrock for her growth and happiness throughout the series.