# Jerry Murphy — Pollyanna Grows Up character guide

> Jerry Murphy in Pollyanna Grows Up by Eleanor H. Porter.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Jerry

**First appearance:** 0007-vi-jerry-to-the-rescue

## Snapshot

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.

## Who they are

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.

## Relationships

### [Pollyanna Whittier](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/characters/pollyanna_whittier)

_friendship_

Jerry Murphy is a poor, cheerful boy who becomes Pollyanna's friend and shares her game of gladness.

### [Aunt Polly](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/characters/aunt_polly)

_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)

_friendship_

Jerry Murphy is a poor, cheerful boy who becomes Pollyanna's friend and shares her game of gladness.

### [Aunt Polly](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/characters/aunt_polly)

_social_

Aunt Polly is kindly but distantly aware of Jerry Murphy as a neighborhood boy and friend to Pollyanna.

### [Aunt Polly](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/characters/aunt_polly)

_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)

_friendship_

Jerry Murphy is a poor, cheerful boy who becomes Pollyanna's friend and shares her game of gladness.

## In the story

### [Jerry to the Rescue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/chapters/vi-jerry-to-the-rescue)

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

### [A New Acquaintance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/chapters/vii-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/chapters/viii-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/chapters/ix-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/chapters/x-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/chapters/xi-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/chapters/xiii-a-waiting-and-a-winning)

Attends the party with Jamie, contributing good-natured banter and helping to amuse the guests.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/characters/jerry_murphy
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/characters