# Jimmy Bean — Pollyanna character guide

> Jimmy Bean in Pollyanna by Eleanor H. Porter.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Jimmy

**First appearance:** 0012-xi-introducing-jimmy

## Snapshot

A cheerful, motherless boy drifting through town in search of a family, who attaches himself to Pollyanna and refuses to give up on being wanted.

## Who they are

Jimmy Bean has no home, no parents, and a habit of announcing to anyone who will listen that he is looking for a place to belong. He meets Pollyanna on the road and becomes her project, a boy whose need for a family mirrors her own situation with Aunt Polly. His persistence and good nature make him the natural counterpart to the town's lonely adults, and his fate becomes one of the measures by which the story tests whether Pollyanna's gladness can actually change anything.

## Relationships

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

_friendship_

Jimmy Bean is a homeless orphan boy who becomes Pollyanna's close friend and later a permanent member of the community.

### [Aunt Polly Harrington](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/characters/aunt_polly_harrington)

_family_

Aunt Polly initially disapproves of Jimmy Bean but later accepts him as a foster son, becoming his guardian.

### [John Pendleton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/characters/john_pendleton)

_family_

Jimmy Bean is taken in by John Pendleton, who becomes his adoptive father, giving him a home and family.

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

_friendship_

Jimmy Bean is a homeless orphan boy who becomes Pollyanna's close friend and later a permanent member of the community.

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

_friendship_

Jimmy Bean is a homeless orphan boy who becomes Pollyanna's close friend and later a permanent member of the community.

### [John Pendleton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/characters/john_pendleton)

_family_

Jimmy Bean is taken in by John Pendleton, who becomes his adoptive father, giving him a home and family.

### [Aunt Polly Harrington](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/characters/aunt_polly_harrington)

_family_

Aunt Polly initially disapproves of Jimmy Bean but later accepts him as a foster son, becoming his guardian.

### [Aunt Polly Harrington](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/characters/aunt_polly_harrington)

_family_

Aunt Polly initially disapproves of Jimmy Bean but later accepts him as a foster son, becoming his guardian.

### [John Pendleton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/characters/john_pendleton)

_family_

Jimmy Bean is taken in by John Pendleton, who becomes his adoptive father, giving him a home and family.

## In the story

### [XI: Introducing Jimmy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/xi-introducing-jimmy)

A homeless boy who wants a home with a mother. He is brought to Aunt Polly by Pollyanna but leaves indignantly after being called a beggar.

### [Before the Ladies' Aid](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/xii-before-the-ladies-aid)

Jimmy Bean is the orphan boy Pollyanna advocates for, hoping to find him a home with a family.

### [Just a Matter of Jelly](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/xiv-just-a-matter-of-jelly)

Meets Pollyanna as agreed; disappointed the Ladies' Aid prefers an India boy; agrees to wait while Pollyanna writes to them.

### [A Question Answered](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/xxi-a-question-answered)

Mentioned as the boy Pollyanna hopes John Pendleton will take in.

### [Two Visits](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/xxvii-two-visits)

Referenced as the boy John Pendleton has decided to adopt, fulfilling Pollyanna's wish.

### [Through an Open Window](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/xxix-through-an-open-window)

Jimmy Bean overhears Dr. Chilton's conversation with John Pendleton while weeding the flowerbeds. He resolves to take action to help Pollyanna.

### [Jimmy Takes the Helm](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/xxx-jimmy-takes-the-helm)

Takes the initiative to speak with Miss Polly about Dr. Chilton's potential to help Pollyanna.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/characters/jimmy_bean
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/characters