# Pollyanna Whittier — Pollyanna Grows Up character guide > Pollyanna Whittier in Pollyanna Grows Up by Eleanor H. Porter. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Pollyanna, Polly, Miss Pollyanna, Polly anna, May **First appearance:** 0001-pollyanna-grows-up ## Snapshot The orphan whose relentless glad game survived a crippling accident and a year in a sanatorium, now bringing her hard-won cheer to a grieving Boston household. ## Who they are Pollyanna arrives in Boston practically cured of the injury that once left her unable to walk, but her famous optimism meets its strangest test yet in Mrs. Carew's gloomy mansion. She writes stories that keep coming back rejected, hides the disappointments from her ailing aunt, and finds her glad game turning oddly painful when she plays it for Jamie's sake. Her inability to simply enjoy her own comforts while Jamie lacks them is what quietly begins to thaw Mrs. Carew's frozen heart. ## Relationships ### [Aunt Polly](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/characters/aunt_polly) _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) _romantic_ Jimmy is Pollyanna's childhood friend and eventual romantic interest, sharing a deep bond that grows into love. ### [John Pendleton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/characters/john_pendleton) _friendship_ John Pendleton is a kind, wealthy older friend and mentor to Pollyanna, who admires her cheerful spirit. ### [Sadie Dean](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/characters/sadie_dean) _friendship_ Pollyanna and Sadie are loyal friends, with Sadie often helping Pollyanna navigate social situations. ### [Della Wetherby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/characters/della_wetherby) _friendship_ Della Wetherby is a warm, maternal friend to Pollyanna, offering guidance and affection. ### [Nancy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/characters/nancy) _friendship_ Nancy is Pollyanna's devoted maid and friend, who adores her and supports her cheerful outlook. ### [Jamie Kent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/characters/jamie_kent) _friendship_ Jamie Kent is a gentle, invalid boy who becomes Pollyanna's close friend, inspired by her optimism. ### [Mrs. Carew](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/characters/mrs_carew) _friendship_ Mrs. Carew is a wealthy, lonely woman who is deeply touched by Pollyanna's kindness and becomes a benefactor. ### [Jerry Murphy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/characters/jerry_murphy) _friendship_ Jerry Murphy is a poor, cheerful boy who becomes Pollyanna's friend and shares her game of gladness. ### [Thomas Chilton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/characters/thomas_chilton) _friendship_ Thomas Chilton is a kind doctor and friend to Pollyanna, who cares for her health and well-being. ### [Dr. Chilton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/characters/dr_chilton) _professional_ Dr. Chilton is Pollyanna's physician, providing medical care with genuine warmth and concern. ### [Aunt Polly](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/characters/aunt_polly) _family_ Aunt Polly is Pollyanna's stern but loving guardian, who gradually softens under Pollyanna's optimistic influence. ## In the story ### [Pollyanna Grows Up](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/chapters/pollyanna-grows-up) Central character reflecting on her growth and maturity. ### [Della Speaks Her Mind](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/chapters/i-della-speaks-her-mind) Discussed at length; her glad game and optimistic influence are described by Della as a potential remedy for Mrs. Carew. ### [Some Old Friends](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/chapters/ii-some-old-friends) Excitedly anticipates meeting Mrs. Carew, believing sisters are alike; prepares for winter stay in Boston by visiting friends. ### [A Dose of Pollyanna](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/chapters/iii-a-dose-of-pollyanna) Arrives in Boston to stay with Mrs. Carew; displays her characteristic optimism and talkativeness, disarming Mrs. Carew with her gladness and innocent observations. ### [IV: The Game and Mrs. Carew](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/chapters/iv-the-game-and-mrs-carew) Pollyanna enthusiastically explores Boston, attends church, and attempts to teach Mrs. Carew the Glad Game, showing empathy when she learns about Jamie's disappearance. ### [Pollyanna Takes a Walk](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/chapters/v-pollyanna-takes-a-walk) Takes her first real walk in Boston, explores the Public Garden, and tries to befriend strangers. ### [Jerry to the Rescue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/chapters/vi-jerry-to-the-rescue) Gets lost while following a hurdy-gurdy, tries to stay glad despite fear, and is rescued by Jerry. ### [A New Acquaintance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/chapters/vii-a-new-acquaintance) Pollyanna enjoys the Garden, feeds the animals, and makes a new friend, the lame boy, despite strict rules. ### [Jamie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/chapters/viii-jamie) Pollyanna meets Jamie in the Garden, learns about his life, and becomes determined to help him. She suspects he is the lost Jamie Kent but keeps her theory secret to avoid disappointment. ### [Plans and Plottings](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/chapters/ix-plans-and-plottings) Determined to reunite Mrs. Carew with Jamie; devises plans for a walk in the Public Garden; becomes anxious and persistent when weather delays her plans; finally reveals her suspicion that Jamie is Mrs. Carew's nephew. ### [In Murphy's Alley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/chapters/x-in-murphy-s-alley) Leads Mrs. Carew to Jamie's home, expresses distress at the conditions, and urges Mrs. Carew to help Jamie even if he is not her lost nephew. ### [A Surprise for Mrs. Carew](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/chapters/xi-a-surprise-for-mrs-carew) Deeply troubled by poverty; urges Mrs. Carew to help the poor; accompanies Mrs. Carew to see Jamie and is present when Jamie refuses the offer. ### [From Behind a Counter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/chapters/xii-from-behind-a-counter) Reunites with the salesgirl from the Public Garden; struggles with the 'glad game' because her own comforts make her sorrier for Jamie; invites the salesgirl to see the Christmas tree. ### [A Waiting and a Winning](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/chapters/xiii-a-waiting-and-a-winning) Orchestrates the New Year's Eve party and continues to bring people together, including Sadie Dean and Jamie, despite Mrs. Carew's resistance. ### [Jimmy and the Green-Eyed Monster](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/chapters/xiv-jimmy-and-the-green-eyed-monster) Returns to Beldingsville and visits friends, discussing her Boston experiences and social observations. ### [Aunt Polly Takes Alarm](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/chapters/xv-aunt-polly-takes-alarm) Unconsciously responsible for Mrs. Carew's transformation; Aunt Polly wants to protect her from becoming a 'prig.' ### [When Pollyanna Was Expected](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/chapters/xvi-when-pollyanna-was-expected) Now twenty, returning home after six years abroad; has grown into a young woman with a joyful spirit, though facing grief and financial hardship. ### [When Pollyanna Came](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/chapters/xvii-when-pollyanna-came) Returns to Beldingsville grieving the doctor's death, tries to comfort Aunt Polly and maintain a cheerful front, discusses financial worries and her desire to develop a talent to earn money. ### [A Matter of Adjustment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/chapters/xviii-a-matter-of-adjustment) Struggles with the adjustment to poverty, longs to earn money, and discusses the Glad Game with Jimmy. ### [Two Letters](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/chapters/xix-two-letters) Receives the letter from Della Wetherby, proposes boarding Mrs. Carew and Jamie at her aunt's house, and writes a reply given to Jimmy to mail. ### [The Paying Guests](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/chapters/xx-the-paying-guests) Busy preparing the house for the paying guests, overcoming panic at the station, and managing the household with joy and determination. ### [Summer Days](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/chapters/xxi-summer-days) Acts as a hostess and mediator, torn between her duties and the joy of joining the group's activities; becomes protective of Jamie during the camping trip. ### [Comrades](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/chapters/xxii-comrades) Reflects on her desire to help Aunt Polly and considers writing stories for income; enjoys the companionship of the group and feels especially at ease with Jimmy. ### [XXIII: “Tied to Two Sticks”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/chapters/xxiii-tied-to-two-sticks) Shows compassion by staying back to help Jamie; is nearly gored by a bull but rescued by Jimmy; then feels remorse for praising Jimmy in front of Jamie. ### [XXIV: Jimmy Wakes Up](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/chapters/xxiv-jimmy-wakes-up) Feels guilty and constrained after the bull incident, and tries to be especially kind to Jamie, though his presence has become painful to her. ### [The Game and Pollyanna](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/chapters/xxv-the-game-and-pollyanna) Struggles to play her own glad game, feels guilty about Aunt Polly, and decides to enter a story contest to earn money. ### [John Pendleton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/chapters/xxvi-john-pendleton) Submits her story for a contest, endures a joyless Christmas with Aunt Polly, and becomes increasingly distressed by John Pendleton's constant talk of Mrs. Carew and Jimmy, leading her to suspect Jimmy loves Mrs. Carew. ### [The Day Pollyanna Did Not Play](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/chapters/xxvii-the-day-pollyanna-did-not-play) Pollyanna deliberately stops playing the Glad Game to teach Aunt Polly a lesson, but struggles with the effort and feels distressed when her aunt takes it seriously. ### [Jimmy and Jamie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/chapters/xxviii-jimmy-and-jamie) Mentioned as the object of Jimmy's affection and the subject of Jamie's speculation about John Pendleton. ### [Jimmy and John](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/chapters/xxix-jimmy-and-john) Torn between her love for Jimmy and a sense of duty toward John Pendleton, she insists on waiting to learn John's feelings before committing to Jimmy. ### [John Pendleton Turns the Key](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/chapters/xxx-john-pendleton-turns-the-key) Terrified that John Pendleton might propose to her, then relieved and joyful when she learns his love is for Mrs. Carew. ### [After Long Years](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/chapters/xxxi-after-long-years) Confesses her love for Jimmy to Aunt Polly and is devastated by her aunt's opposition. ### [A New Aladdin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/chapters/xxxii-a-new-aladdin) Arrives unexpectedly at Mrs. Carew's house; is kissed by Jimmy, confirming their love. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/characters/pollyanna_whittier - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_grows_up_se/characters