# Old Tom — Pollyanna character guide

> Old Tom in Pollyanna by Eleanor H. Porter.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Tom, II Old Tom

**First appearance:** 0003-ii-old-tom-and-nancy

## Who they are

The elderly gardener at the Harrington estate who welcomes Pollyanna.

## Relationships

### [Nancy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/characters/nancy)

_friendship_

Nancy and Old Tom are fellow servants in the Harrington household who share a friendly, cooperative working relationship.

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

_friendship_

Old Tom is the elderly gardener who becomes a fond friend to Pollyanna, enjoying her cheerful company.

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

_friendship_

Old Tom is the elderly gardener who becomes a fond friend to Pollyanna, enjoying her cheerful company.

### [Nancy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/characters/nancy)

_friendship_

Nancy and Old Tom are fellow servants in the Harrington household who share a friendly, cooperative working relationship.

### [Nancy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/characters/nancy)

_friendship_

Nancy and Old Tom are fellow servants in the Harrington household who share a friendly, cooperative working relationship.

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

_friendship_

Old Tom is the elderly gardener who becomes a fond friend to Pollyanna, enjoying her cheerful company.

## In the story

### [Old Tom and Nancy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/ii-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/iv-the-little-attic-room)

Seen working in the garden as Pollyanna runs past him toward the hill.

### [A Question of Duty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/vi-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/vii-pollyanna-and-punishments)

Tells Pollyanna wonderful stories about her mother in the garden.

### [An Accident](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/xxiii-an-accident)

Questions Nancy about Pollyanna's condition and shares in the grief over the accident.

### [John Pendleton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/xxiv-john-pendleton)

Listens to Nancy's news and recalls the history of Miss Polly's estrangement from John Pendleton.

## Links

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