# Jimmy Pendleton — Pollyanna Grows Up character guide > Jimmy Pendleton in Pollyanna Grows Up by Eleanor H. Porter. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Jimmy Bean, Jimmy, Pendleton, Jimmy Pendleton, Jim **First appearance:** 0001-pollyanna-grows-up ## Snapshot A young bridge-builder raised by John Pendleton, whose easy friendship with Pollyanna is curdling into jealousy over a rival he has never met. ## Who they are Jimmy has grown from the spirited orphan boy into an anxious young man whose visions of wonderful spans have been replaced by the fear of losing Pollyanna. He resents the unknown Jamie with the too-similar name before ever laying eyes on him, and his jealousy shames him even as it drives him. When he carries Pollyanna from danger in the pasture, he realizes how precious she is, and how much Jamie's watching face may already have cost him. ## Relationships ### [Pollyanna Whittier](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/characters/pollyanna_whittier) _romantic_ Jimmy is Pollyanna's childhood friend and eventual romantic interest, sharing a deep bond that grows into love. ### [Aunt Polly](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/characters/aunt_polly) _family_ Aunt Polly becomes Jimmy's adoptive mother figure, showing protective concern and later pride in his growth. ### [John Pendleton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/characters/john_pendleton) _family_ Jimmy is John Pendleton's adopted son, with a warm, grateful relationship built on mutual respect and affection. ### [Sadie Dean](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/characters/sadie_dean) _friendship_ Jimmy and Sadie are friendly acquaintances, with Sadie sometimes acting as a bridge between Jimmy and Pollyanna. ### [Pollyanna Whittier](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/characters/pollyanna_whittier) _romantic_ Jimmy is Pollyanna's childhood friend and eventual romantic interest, sharing a deep bond that grows into love. ### [Pollyanna Whittier](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/characters/pollyanna_whittier) _romantic_ Jimmy is Pollyanna's childhood friend and eventual romantic interest, sharing a deep bond that grows into love. ### [Aunt Polly](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/characters/aunt_polly) _family_ Aunt Polly becomes Jimmy's adoptive mother figure, showing protective concern and later pride in his growth. ### [John Pendleton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/characters/john_pendleton) _family_ Jimmy is John Pendleton's adopted son, with a warm, grateful relationship built on mutual respect and affection. ### [Aunt Polly](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/characters/aunt_polly) _family_ Aunt Polly becomes Jimmy's adoptive mother figure, showing protective concern and later pride in his growth. ### [John Pendleton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/characters/john_pendleton) _family_ Jimmy is John Pendleton's adopted son, with a warm, grateful relationship built on mutual respect and affection. ### [Sadie Dean](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/characters/sadie_dean) _friendship_ Jimmy and Sadie are friendly acquaintances, with Sadie sometimes acting as a bridge between Jimmy and Pollyanna. ### [Sadie Dean](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/characters/sadie_dean) _friendship_ Jimmy and Sadie are friendly acquaintances, with Sadie sometimes acting as a bridge between Jimmy and Pollyanna. ## In the story ### [Pollyanna Grows Up](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/chapters/pollyanna-grows-up) Childhood friend, now part of Pollyanna's adult circle. ### [Some Old Friends](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/chapters/ii-some-old-friends) Indignant about Pollyanna's departure; reveals he has been legally adopted by John Pendleton and is now Jimmy Pendleton. ### [Pollyanna Takes a Walk](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/chapters/v-pollyanna-takes-a-walk) Not present; referenced only in the context of Pollyanna's past in Beldingsville. ### [Jimmy and the Green-Eyed Monster](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/chapters/xiv-jimmy-and-the-green-eyed-monster) Expresses jealousy over Pollyanna's frequent mentions of Jamie, revealing his father's dislike of the name 'Jamie'. ### [When Pollyanna Was Expected](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/chapters/xvi-when-pollyanna-was-expected) Eagerly awaits Pollyanna's return; he is a tall, good-looking young man with frank eyes and a winning smile, deeply concerned about Pollyanna's well-being. ### [When Pollyanna Came](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/chapters/xvii-when-pollyanna-came) Meets Pollyanna and Aunt Polly at the station with Timothy's carriage, shows kindness and sympathy, is called 'Jimmy Bean' by Pollyanna in her nervousness. ### [A Matter of Adjustment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/chapters/xviii-a-matter-of-adjustment) Visits Pollyanna, discusses her desire to earn money, and engages in a deep conversation about the Glad Game. ### [Two Letters](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/chapters/xix-two-letters) Visits Pollyanna, receives her letter to mail, and struggles with jealousy over Jamie's upcoming arrival. ### [The Paying Guests](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/chapters/xx-the-paying-guests) Visits with John Pendleton; impresses Mrs. Carew and sparks a sense of recognition in her. ### [Summer Days](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/chapters/xxi-summer-days) Eagerly participates in planning and driving the car; develops a warm friendship with Mrs. Carew and proposes the 'real thing' for the camping trip. ### [Comrades](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/chapters/xxii-comrades) Engages in lighthearted banter about poetry and bridges; provides comfort and understanding to Pollyanna, who finds him restful and strong. ### [XXIII: “Tied to Two Sticks”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/chapters/xxiii-tied-to-two-sticks) Leads the hike; heroically rescues Pollyanna from the bull by snatching her up and flinging them both aside; shows concern for Jamie's distress. ### [XXIV: Jimmy Wakes Up](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/chapters/xxiv-jimmy-wakes-up) Realizes he is in love with Pollyanna and agonizes over whether to compete with Jamie for her affections, ultimately deciding to watch and wait. ### [The Game and Pollyanna](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/chapters/xxv-the-game-and-pollyanna) Becomes moody and distant after the Carews leave, then goes to Boston, leaving Pollyanna confused about her feelings. ### [John Pendleton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/chapters/xxvi-john-pendleton) Mentioned in letters as helping Mrs. Carew with Christmas celebrations at the Home for Working Girls; Pollyanna interprets his actions as evidence he cares for Mrs. Carew. ### [Jimmy and Jamie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/chapters/xxviii-jimmy-and-jamie) Struggles with unrequited love for Pollyanna, finds solace in helping Mrs. Carew, and experiences a dramatic emotional shift upon learning Jamie loves Sadie Dean. ### [Jimmy and John](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/chapters/xxix-jimmy-and-john) Determined and jealous, he confronts Pollyanna about John Pendleton, declares his love, and refuses to give her up despite her hesitation. ### [John Pendleton Turns the Key](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/chapters/xxx-john-pendleton-turns-the-key) Returns to Boston in a conflicted state after confessing his love to Pollyanna; later receives her letter and catches the train back. ### [After Long Years](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/chapters/xxxi-after-long-years) Learns of Aunt Polly's objection and opens his father's packet, discovering he is Jamie, Mrs. Carew's nephew. ### [A New Aladdin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/chapters/xxxii-a-new-aladdin) Arrives at Mrs. Carew's house to reveal his identity as her nephew; later embraces Pollyanna. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/characters/jimmy_pendleton - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/characters