# Aunt Polly — Pollyanna Grows Up character guide > Aunt Polly in Pollyanna Grows Up by Eleanor H. Porter. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Polly, Mrs. Polly Chilton, Mrs. Chilton, Polly Chilton, Mary **First appearance:** 0001-pollyanna-grows-up ## Snapshot Pollyanna's exacting, clock-ruled aunt, whose failing health and gray moods have made her niece's days a careful campaign of corn muffins and cheer. ## Who they are Once the stern woman who took in an orphan out of duty, Aunt Polly now depends on Pollyanna far more than she admits, fretting over rainy days, leaking roofs, and letters that arrive too late. She is methodical to the tick of the clock and openly skeptical of gladness on a wet morning, yet her neediness binds Pollyanna's days to the house. Her slow decline is the quiet weight against which Pollyanna's cheerfulness must prove itself, not merely perform. ## Relationships ### [Pollyanna Whittier](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/characters/pollyanna_whittier) _family_ Aunt Polly is Pollyanna's stern but loving guardian, who gradually softens under Pollyanna's optimistic influence. ### [Jimmy Pendleton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/characters/jimmy_pendleton) _family_ Aunt Polly becomes Jimmy's adoptive mother figure, showing protective concern and later pride in his growth. ### [Della Wetherby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/characters/della_wetherby) _friendship_ Aunt Polly and Della Wetherby are close friends and confidantes, often sharing news and supporting each other. ### [John Pendleton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/characters/john_pendleton) _romantic_ Aunt Polly and John Pendleton share a mature, tender romantic relationship that eventually leads to marriage. ### [Jamie Kent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/characters/jamie_kent) _social_ Aunt Polly is politely sympathetic toward Jamie Kent, but their interactions are limited and formal. ### [Mrs. Carew](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/characters/mrs_carew) _social_ Aunt Polly and Mrs. Carew are polite acquaintances, moving in the same social circles but not close. ### [Sadie Dean](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/characters/sadie_dean) _social_ Aunt Polly views Sadie Dean as a respectable young woman and a suitable friend for Pollyanna. ### [Jerry Murphy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/characters/jerry_murphy) _social_ Aunt Polly is kindly but distantly aware of Jerry Murphy as a neighborhood boy and friend to Pollyanna. ### [Pollyanna Whittier](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/characters/pollyanna_whittier) _family_ Aunt Polly is Pollyanna's stern but loving guardian, who gradually softens under Pollyanna's optimistic influence. ### [Pollyanna Whittier](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/characters/pollyanna_whittier) _family_ Aunt Polly is Pollyanna's stern but loving guardian, who gradually softens under Pollyanna's optimistic influence. ### [Jimmy Pendleton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/characters/jimmy_pendleton) _family_ Aunt Polly becomes Jimmy's adoptive mother figure, showing protective concern and later pride in his growth. ### [Della Wetherby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/characters/della_wetherby) _friendship_ Aunt Polly and Della Wetherby are close friends and confidantes, often sharing news and supporting each other. ## In the story ### [Pollyanna Grows Up](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/chapters/pollyanna-grows-up) Pollyanna's aunt, a key figure in her upbringing. ### [Some Old Friends](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/chapters/ii-some-old-friends) Corresponds with Della Wetherby about Pollyanna's visit; initially reluctant to let Pollyanna go to Boston. ### [A Dose of Pollyanna](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/chapters/iii-a-dose-of-pollyanna) Mentioned as having given consent for Pollyanna to stay with Mrs. Carew; referenced in Pollyanna's anecdotes about her aunt's views on automobiles and pride. ### [Plans and Plottings](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/chapters/ix-plans-and-plottings) Shocked and disapproving of Pollyanna's association with Jerry; tries to prevent Pollyanna from going with him. ### [Aunt Polly Takes Alarm](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/chapters/xv-aunt-polly-takes-alarm) Expresses concern that Pollyanna might become spoiled if she realizes her own influence; decides to take Pollyanna to Germany. ### [When Pollyanna Was Expected](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/chapters/xvi-when-pollyanna-was-expected) Widowed and financially ruined, she is deeply grieving and morbidly resentful, refusing to return to Beldingsville initially. ### [When Pollyanna Came](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/chapters/xvii-when-pollyanna-came) Deeply changed by grief, appears aged and hardened, wears a black veil, rejects kindness from others, hides her sorrow behind faultfinding and coldness. ### [A Matter of Adjustment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/chapters/xviii-a-matter-of-adjustment) Finds adjustment difficult, avoids neighbors, and broods over their financial loss. ### [Two Letters](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/chapters/xix-two-letters) Initially horrified at the idea of turning the Harrington homestead into a boarding house, but is persuaded by Pollyanna's arguments about needing money. ### [The Paying Guests](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/chapters/xx-the-paying-guests) Initially disapproving and gloomy about the paying guests, but gradually warms to them due to their charm. ### [The Game and Pollyanna](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/chapters/xxv-the-game-and-pollyanna) Worries about finances after the Carews leave; Pollyanna hopes to surprise her with contest winnings. ### [John Pendleton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/chapters/xxvi-john-pendleton) Refuses to allow any Christmas celebration at the Harrington homestead, making the day difficult for Pollyanna. ### [The Day Pollyanna Did Not Play](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/chapters/xxvii-the-day-pollyanna-did-not-play) Aunt Polly is blue, discouraged, and exacting; she eventually realizes her own failure to play the game and promises to try, though she is embarrassed by the sentiment. ### [After Long Years](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/chapters/xxxi-after-long-years) Firmly opposes Pollyanna's marriage to Jimmy due to his unknown family background. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/characters/aunt_polly - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/characters