Pollyanna · Character

Old Tom

The elderly gardener at the Harrington estate who welcomes Pollyanna.

minor

Also known as Tom, II Old Tom

First appearance: Old Tom and Nancy

Old Tom's tie to Nancy is one of the pressures that moves Pollyanna—worth meeting in the text, not only on a cast list.

Old Tom shares memories of Miss Polly's past beauty and love affair, and identifies Pollyanna as Miss Jennie's child.

In the storyOld Tom and NancyOpen this moment free

See Old Tom in Old Tom and Nancy Book page

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With Nancy (friendship): Nancy and Old Tom are fellow servants in the Harrington household who share a friendly, cooperative working relationship. With Pollyanna Whittier (friendship): Old Tom is the elderly gardener who becomes a fond friend to Pollyanna, enjoying her cheerful company. With Pollyanna Whittier (friendship): Old Tom is the elderly gardener who becomes a fond friend to Pollyanna, enjoying her cheerful company.

Continue beside the text

The fuller portrait of Old Tom sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Old Tom in Old Tom and Nancy

Character Web

9 connections

A slice of how Old Tom sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Friendship
Other

Character groups

Belmont's core community
Protagonist
Town's peripheral figures

+4 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This is the story's dramatic climax because Jimmy directly confronts Miss Polly with the revelation that her p…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Nancy
friendship · positive
Nancy and Old Tom are fellow servants in the Harrington household who share a friendly,… How this plays out →
Pollyanna Whittier
friendship · positive
Pollyanna Whittier
friendship · positive
Nancy
friendship · positive
Nancy and Old Tom are fellow servants in the Harrington household who share a friendly,… How this plays out →
Nancy
friendship · positive
Nancy and Old Tom are fellow servants in the Harrington household who share a friendly,… How this plays out →
Pollyanna Whittier
friendship · positive

Nancy
Nancy and Old Tom are fellow servants in the Harrington household who share a friendly, cooperative working relationship.
Pollyanna Whittier
Old Tom is the elderly gardener who becomes a fond friend to Pollyanna, enjoying her cheerful company.
Pollyanna Whittier
Old Tom is the elderly gardener who becomes a fond friend to Pollyanna, enjoying her cheerful company.
Nancy
Nancy and Old Tom are fellow servants in the Harrington household who share a friendly, cooperative working relationship.
Nancy
Nancy and Old Tom are fellow servants in the Harrington household who share a friendly, cooperative working relationship.
Pollyanna Whittier
Old Tom is the elderly gardener who becomes a fond friend to Pollyanna, enjoying her cheerful company.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Old Tom in Old Tom and Nancy

In the story

Old Tom appears across 6 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Old Tom and Nancy
Old Tom shares memories of Miss Polly's past beauty and love affair, and identifies Pollyanna as Miss Jennie's child.
The Little Attic Room
Seen working in the garden as Pollyanna runs past him toward the hill.
A Question of Duty
The gardener who knew Pollyanna's mother; he is visibly moved by Pollyanna's resemblance to her and briefly shares a tender moment with her.
Pollyanna and Punishments
Tells Pollyanna wonderful stories about her mother in the garden.
An Accident
Questions Nancy about Pollyanna's condition and shares in the grief over the accident.
John Pendleton
Listens to Nancy's news and recalls the history of Miss Polly's estrangement from John Pendleton.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Old Tom unlock in the free preview.

See Old Tom in Old Tom and Nancy