Pollyanna Whittier

Nancy

Nancy is Pollyanna's devoted maid and first friend in Beldingsville, acting as a loyal confidante and supporter.

Aunt Polly Harrington

Aunt Polly is Pollyanna's strict but ultimately loving guardian, whose stern exterior gradually softens under Pollyanna's influence.

John Pendleton

John Pendleton is a reclusive wealthy man who becomes a close friend and benefactor to Pollyanna, eventually adopting her as a daughter figure.

Mrs. Snow

Mrs. Snow is a bedridden, bitter invalid whom Pollyanna visits and gradually transforms through the glad game, shifting her from misery to hope.

Jimmy Bean

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

Old Tom

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

Timothy Durgin

Pollyanna and Timothy are friendly acquaintances, with Timothy being Nancy's beau and a helper in the community.

Dr. Warren

Dr. Warren is a specialist surgeon who treats Pollyanna after her accident, restoring her ability to walk.

Milly Snow

Milly Snow is Mrs. Snow's daughter who becomes grateful to Pollyanna for bringing joy and hope to her mother.

Lady Maud

Lady Maud is a wealthy, fashionable woman who becomes a friend and admirer of Pollyanna's optimistic outlook.

Jennie

Jennie is Pollyanna's deceased mother, remembered with love and whose cheerful nature Pollyanna inherited.

Aunt Polly Harrington

Aunt Polly is Pollyanna's strict but ultimately loving guardian, whose stern exterior gradually softens under Pollyanna's influence.

Pollyanna

Arrives in Beldingsville and meets her Aunt Polly for the first time; demonstrates her optimistic nature and introduces the glad game.

Miss Polly

Pollyanna is the orphaned niece of Miss Polly, aged eleven, who is about to arrive from the West to live with her aunt. She is mentioned only through the letter and Miss Polly's thoughts.

Old Tom and Nancy

Pollyanna is mentioned as the expected niece, Miss Jennie's daughter, who will be staying in the attic room.

The Coming of Pollyanna

Arrives in Beldingsville, cheerful and talkative, wearing a red-checked gingham dress and straw hat. She mistakes Nancy for her aunt but quickly recovers, expressing gladness about having both Nancy and Aunt Polly.

The Little Attic Room

Arrives at Aunt Polly's house, enthusiastically embraces her aunt, and tries to find gladness in her new, sparse attic room.

The Game

Explains the Glad Game to Nancy, tries to include Aunt Polly, and sneaks out of her room via a tree.

A Question of Duty

Awakens joyfully, greets Aunt Polly in the garden, meets Old Tom, and is dismayed by the strict schedule of duties imposed by her aunt.

Pollyanna and Punishments

Delighted by the shopping trip and the new clothes; plays the Glad Game unconsciously with Nancy; escapes the hot attic to sleep on the roof, using fur coats as bedding.

Pollyanna Pays a Visit

Explores the village, speaks to a lonely man, and visits Mrs. Snow, attempting to teach her the Glad Game.

Which Tells of the Man

Persistently greets the Man with cheerfulness, interpreting his silence and scowl as a need to notice the sunshine.

X: A Surprise for Mrs. Snow

Expresses joy over her new room and uses the Glad Game to comfort Mrs. Snow.

XI: Introducing Jimmy

Pollyanna meets Jimmy Bean and, feeling sorry for his homelessness, brings him to Aunt Polly expecting her to take him in. She also previously brought home a stray kitten and a dog.

Before the Ladies' Aid

Pollyanna tries to play the Glad Game during dinner, then bravely presents Jimmy Bean's case to the Ladies' Aid, but leaves saddened by their decision.

In Pendleton Woods

Pollyanna goes to Pendleton Woods for comfort, discovers John Pendleton injured, bravely enters his house to call Dr. Chilton, and stays to comfort him.

Just a Matter of Jelly

Late for supper after the accident; meets Jimmy Bean and promises to write to the Ladies' Aid; asks Aunt Polly to give jelly to Mr. Pendleton.

Dr. Chilton

Visits John Pendleton, plays the glad game with him, rides home with Dr. Chilton, and discusses the glad game with Nancy and Aunt Polly.

A Red Rose and a Lace Shawl

Eagerly dresses her aunt's hair and adorns her with a lace shawl and rose, then visits John Pendleton with Dr. Chilton.

Just Like a Book

Visits John Pendleton, hears his stories about his curios, and learns about the possible past romance between him and Aunt Polly.

Prisms

Visits John Pendleton frequently, tries to bring him happiness, and finally tells him about the glad game after hanging prisms in his window.

XIX: Which Is Somewhat Surprising

Begins school, excels, and continues visiting friends. Misinterprets John Pendleton's proposal as involving Aunt Polly.

XX: Which Is More Surprising

Pollyanna is caught between her loyalty to Aunt Polly and Mr. Pendleton's request for her to live with him. She mistakenly believes Mr. Pendleton and Aunt Polly were lovers and is disappointed when the truth is revealed.

A Question Answered

Decides to stay with Aunt Polly and proposes Jimmy Bean as a companion for John Pendleton.

XXII: Sermons and Woodboxes

Shares the story of her father and the rejoicing texts with the minister, encouraging him to adopt a more hopeful approach.

An Accident

Visits Dr. Chilton's office, then is hit by a motor car and seriously injured, losing feeling in her legs.

John Pendleton

Regains consciousness and expresses gladness about her injuries, finding comfort in the prisms and in being called 'dear' by Aunt Polly.

A Door Ajar

Overhears the devastating news that she may never walk again, leading to a crisis of hope and faith in the Glad Game.

Two Visits

Struggles with the news she will never walk again and cannot play the glad game for herself, though she is overjoyed to hear that John Pendleton has adopted Jimmy Bean.

XXVIII: The Game and Its Players

Discovers the town is playing the Glad Game and finds joy in having had legs to teach others.

Through an Open Window

Pollyanna is bedridden and in pain, but she resolutely plays the glad game, finding joy in small things and knitting colorful items. She receives visits and messages from friends, including John Pendleton and Jimmy Bean.

A New Uncle

Overjoyed to see Dr. Chilton and later learns of Aunt Polly's plan to marry him.

Which Is a Letter from Pollyanna

Writes a letter celebrating her ability to walk again after months of recovery.