# John Pendleton — Pollyanna Grows Up character guide > John Pendleton in Pollyanna Grows Up by Eleanor H. Porter. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** John, young Pendleton, Pendleton, Mr. Pendleton **First appearance:** 0001-pollyanna-grows-up ## Snapshot A once-sour bachelor softened by Pollyanna's childhood trust, now confessing that only a woman's hand and heart can make his home complete. ## Who they are John Pendleton remembers the stern, disagreeable man he was before Pollyanna's childish liking saved him, and he tells her so with a tenderness that visibly alarms her. Having adopted Jimmy, he still insists a child's presence is not enough, and he has made up his mind to have the woman's hand and heart he once lost. His confession lands on Pollyanna as a proposal she never saw coming, and her stammering retreat toward the door is its own small comedy of misreading. ## Relationships ### [Pollyanna Whittier](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/characters/pollyanna_whittier) _friendship_ John Pendleton is a kind, wealthy older friend and mentor to Pollyanna, who admires her cheerful spirit. ### [Jimmy Pendleton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/characters/jimmy_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) _romantic_ Aunt Polly and John Pendleton share a mature, tender romantic relationship that eventually leads to marriage. ### [Pollyanna Whittier](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/characters/pollyanna_whittier) _friendship_ John Pendleton is a kind, wealthy older friend and mentor to Pollyanna, who admires her cheerful spirit. ### [Pollyanna Whittier](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/characters/pollyanna_whittier) _friendship_ John Pendleton is a kind, wealthy older friend and mentor to Pollyanna, who admires her cheerful spirit. ### [Aunt Polly](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/characters/aunt_polly) _romantic_ Aunt Polly and John Pendleton share a mature, tender romantic relationship that eventually leads to marriage. ### [Aunt Polly](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/characters/aunt_polly) _romantic_ Aunt Polly and John Pendleton share a mature, tender romantic relationship that eventually leads to marriage. ### [Jimmy Pendleton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/characters/jimmy_pendleton) _family_ Jimmy is John Pendleton's adopted son, with a warm, grateful relationship built on mutual respect and affection. ### [Jimmy Pendleton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/characters/jimmy_pendleton) _family_ Jimmy is John Pendleton's adopted son, with a warm, grateful relationship built on mutual respect and affection. ## In the story ### [Jimmy and the Green-Eyed Monster](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/chapters/xiv-jimmy-and-the-green-eyed-monster) Listens to Pollyanna's thoughts on Boston and social inequality, then asks about Jamie. ### [When Pollyanna Was Expected](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/chapters/xvi-when-pollyanna-was-expected) Provides insight into Pollyanna's character and the family's financial troubles; speaks fondly of Pollyanna's growth and the 'game.' ### [A Matter of Adjustment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/chapters/xviii-a-matter-of-adjustment) Accompanies Jimmy on a stiff and ceremonious call to the Chilton home. ### [Summer Days](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/chapters/xxi-summer-days) Proposes the camping trip; shows renewed enthusiasm and energy, much to Aunt Polly's disapproval. ### [Comrades](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/chapters/xxii-comrades) Teases Pollyanna about her appearance but then sincerely tells her she is beautiful, reminding her of her mother's eyes and smile. ### [XXIV: Jimmy Wakes Up](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/chapters/xxiv-jimmy-wakes-up) Interrupts Jimmy and Mrs. Carew at a crucial moment when Jimmy was about to tell her about The Packet. ### [John Pendleton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/chapters/xxvi-john-pendleton) Visits on Christmas evening and talks at length about Mrs. Carew and Jimmy, inadvertently fueling Pollyanna's jealousy. ### [Jimmy and Jamie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/chapters/xxviii-jimmy-and-jamie) Mentioned as a possible love interest for Pollyanna, with his past love for Pollyanna's mother revealed. ### [Jimmy and John](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/chapters/xxix-jimmy-and-john) The subject of the conflict; Jimmy believes he may care for Pollyanna, and Pollyanna feels obligated to consider his feelings due to his past with her mother. ### [John Pendleton Turns the Key](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/chapters/xxx-john-pendleton-turns-the-key) Visits Pollyanna to seek her help in winning Mrs. Carew's love, revealing his changed heart and his hope for a home with her. ### [After Long Years](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/chapters/xxxi-after-long-years) Helps Jimmy open the packet and accompanies him to visit Mrs. Carew. ### [A New Aladdin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/chapters/xxxii-a-new-aladdin) Arranges the meeting, announces his engagement to Mrs. Carew, and orchestrates Pollyanna's surprise arrival. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/characters/john_pendleton - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/characters