James Matthew "Jem" Blythe Jr. was the son of Faith and Jem Blythe, the brother of Walter Jr. and the grandson of Anne Shirley and Gilbert Blythe. Although it is not clearly stated, it is assumed that he was also the brother of Anne Blythe.
Biography[]
Early life[]
Jem was most likely born in the early 1920s to Faith and Jem Blythe. He spent his childhood years playing in Glen St. Mary with his relatives and the children from the neighbourhood, namely Walter and Anne Blythe, Rilla Ford, Diana Meredith, Susette King, Jack Bell, Dick, Letty and Jerry Thornton.[1]
Jem took after his father in his liking for a good rousing fight in a good cause and used to fight Dick, whom he and his relatives hated. When Dick kissed Susette King, Jem would tease her about it whenever he wanted to upset her. However, he knocked Dick down for insulting Susette's physical appearance and for hurting a small kitten. According to his good friend, Jerry Thornton, Jem had a youthful passion for Susette at that time.[2]
He loved squirrels and always knew a secret place where wild strawberries grew bigger and sweeter than anywhere else. Years later, during the meeting with Susette, Jerry remembered Jem's old habit of saying 'a fast worker can do wonders in an afternoon'.[3]
World War II[]
It is implied by Jerry that by the late 1940s, most of their contemporaries had gotten married, which possibly included Jem.[4]
Personality[]
Jem Blythe Jr. is very gentle, and a bit mischievous, but also very protective.
Physical appearance[]
Etymology[]
James is a male given name of Hebrew origin and means he who supplants. This name was the most popular name in 19th century.
- Jem was named after his father Jem Blythe.
- Jem shared his name with Jim Anderson and his son Jims, James Armstrong, James Grand, James A. Harrison, Captain Jim Boyd, James Pringle, Jim Wilcox, and James, the father of Jamesina.
Appearances[]
Short story appearances
- The Blythes Are Quoted
- "The Road to Yesterday" (mentioned only)
Notes and references[]
- ↑ "The Road to Yesterday" (The Blythes Are Quoted)
- ↑ "The Road to Yesterday" (The Blythes Are Quoted)
- ↑ "The Road to Yesterday" (The Blythes Are Quoted)
- ↑ "The Road to Yesterday" (The Blythes Are Quoted)