Pollyanna Grows Up · Character

Jerry Murphy

A proud, quick-tempered Irish boy from Murphy's Alley, he refuses charity but will brave a grand house to fetch the girl his sick friend needs.

supporting

Also known as Jerry

First appearance: Jerry to the Rescue

As a supporting figure in Pollyanna Grows Up, Jerry Murphy is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

The newsboy who finds Pollyanna crying, deduces she lives on Commonwealth Avenue, and leads her home.

In the storyJerry to the RescueOpen this moment free

See Jerry Murphy in Jerry to the Rescue Book page

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Jerry Murphy climbs the steps of Mrs. Carew's mansion not for money but for Pollyanna, whose help his friend Jamie desperately wants. His flash of resentment when offered coin, and his awe at riding in a limousine, capture the class distance he crosses on Jamie's behalf. He is the messenger who carries the news that cracks open the Carew family mystery, and his loyalty to Jamie gives the alley world its dignity.

Continue beside the text

The fuller portrait of Jerry Murphy sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Jerry Murphy in Jerry to the Rescue

Character Web

9 connections

A slice of how Jerry Murphy sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Friendship
Social
Other

Character groups

Boston Tenement Friends
Beldingsville Household
Minor and Background Characters
Protagonist

+4 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

In this passage, the emotional peak occurs as Jimmy Pendleton fully confronts his agonizing belief that Pollya…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Pollyanna Whittier
friendship · positive
Jerry Murphy is a poor, cheerful boy who becomes Pollyanna's friend and shares her game… How this plays out →
Aunt Polly
social · positive
Pollyanna Whittier
friendship · positive
Jerry Murphy is a poor, cheerful boy who becomes Pollyanna's friend and shares her game… How this plays out →
Aunt Polly
social · positive
Aunt Polly
social · positive
Pollyanna Whittier
friendship · positive
Jerry Murphy is a poor, cheerful boy who becomes Pollyanna's friend and shares her game… How this plays out →

Pollyanna Whittier
Jerry Murphy is a poor, cheerful boy who becomes Pollyanna's friend and shares her game of gladness.
Aunt Polly
Aunt Polly is kindly but distantly aware of Jerry Murphy as a neighborhood boy and friend to Pollyanna.
Pollyanna Whittier
Jerry Murphy is a poor, cheerful boy who becomes Pollyanna's friend and shares her game of gladness.
Aunt Polly
Aunt Polly is kindly but distantly aware of Jerry Murphy as a neighborhood boy and friend to Pollyanna.
Aunt Polly
Aunt Polly is kindly but distantly aware of Jerry Murphy as a neighborhood boy and friend to Pollyanna.
Pollyanna Whittier
Jerry Murphy is a poor, cheerful boy who becomes Pollyanna's friend and shares her game of gladness.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Jerry Murphy in Jerry to the Rescue

In the story

Jerry Murphy appears across 7 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Jerry to the Rescue
The newsboy who finds Pollyanna crying, deduces she lives on Commonwealth Avenue, and leads her home.
A New Acquaintance
Jerry wheels the lame boy to the Garden, introduces him to Pollyanna, and explains the boy's habit of naming animals after book characters.
Jamie
Jamie's caretaker and friend who brings him to the Garden each day. He is mentioned as helping to get Jamie's wheelchair and as being good to Jamie.
Plans and Plottings
Brings news that Jamie is sick and wants to see Pollyanna; speaks in a rough, streetwise manner; is impressed by the prospect of riding in a car.
In Murphy's Alley
Acts as guide, proudly escorts the ladies through the alley, and announces their arrival to Jamie.
A Surprise for Mrs. Carew
Present during Mrs. Carew's visit; expresses disbelief at Jamie's refusal of the offer.
A Waiting and a Winning
Attends the party with Jamie, contributing good-natured banter and helping to amuse the guests.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Jerry Murphy unlock in the free preview.

See Jerry Murphy in Jerry to the Rescue