# Pollyanna Whittier — Pollyanna character guide > Pollyanna Whittier in Pollyanna by Eleanor H. Porter. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Miss Pollyanna Whittier, Pollyanna, Miss Pollyanna, Pollyanna Whittier **First appearance:** 0001-pollyanna ## Snapshot An orphan armed with her father's 'glad game,' she arrives at her grim aunt's house determined to find something to be glad about in everything. ## Who they are Pollyanna enters Beldingsville as a charity case, outfitted by missionary barrels and handed off to an aunt who took her in from duty, not love. Her father taught her to hunt for gladness in every hardship, and she practices it relentlessly on servants, shut-ins, and strangers, often without realizing she is doing it. That habit collides with Aunt Polly's rigid household and slowly reorganizes the whole town's emotional weather, making Pollyanna both an irritant and an instrument of change in the novel's first half. ## Relationships ### [Nancy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/characters/nancy) _friendship_ Nancy is Pollyanna's devoted maid and first friend in Beldingsville, acting as a loyal confidante and supporter. ### [Aunt Polly Harrington](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/characters/aunt_polly_harrington) _family_ Aunt Polly is Pollyanna's strict but ultimately loving guardian, whose stern exterior gradually softens under Pollyanna's influence. ### [John Pendleton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/characters/john_pendleton) _friendship_ 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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/characters/mrs_snow) _psychological_ 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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/characters/jimmy_bean) _friendship_ Jimmy Bean is a homeless orphan boy who becomes Pollyanna's close friend and later a permanent member of the community. ### [Old Tom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/characters/old_tom) _friendship_ Old Tom is the elderly gardener who becomes a fond friend to Pollyanna, enjoying her cheerful company. ### [Timothy Durgin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/characters/timothy_durgin) _friendship_ Pollyanna and Timothy are friendly acquaintances, with Timothy being Nancy's beau and a helper in the community. ### [Dr. Warren](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/characters/dr_warren) _professional_ Dr. Warren is a specialist surgeon who treats Pollyanna after her accident, restoring her ability to walk. ### [Milly Snow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/characters/milly_snow) _friendship_ Milly Snow is Mrs. Snow's daughter who becomes grateful to Pollyanna for bringing joy and hope to her mother. ### [Lady Maud](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/characters/lady_maud) _friendship_ Lady Maud is a wealthy, fashionable woman who becomes a friend and admirer of Pollyanna's optimistic outlook. ### [Jennie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/characters/jennie) _family_ Jennie is Pollyanna's deceased mother, remembered with love and whose cheerful nature Pollyanna inherited. ### [Aunt Polly Harrington](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/characters/aunt_polly_harrington) _family_ Aunt Polly is Pollyanna's strict but ultimately loving guardian, whose stern exterior gradually softens under Pollyanna's influence. ## In the story ### [Pollyanna](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/pollyanna) Arrives in Beldingsville and meets her Aunt Polly for the first time; demonstrates her optimistic nature and introduces the glad game. ### [Miss Polly](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/i-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/ii-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/iii-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/iv-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/v-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/vi-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/vii-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/viii-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/ix-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/x-a-surprise-for-mrs-snow) Expresses joy over her new room and uses the Glad Game to comfort Mrs. Snow. ### [XI: Introducing Jimmy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/xii-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/xiii-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/xiv-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/xv-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/xvi-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/xvii-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/xviii-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/xxi-a-question-answered) Decides to stay with Aunt Polly and proposes Jimmy Bean as a companion for John Pendleton. ### [XXII: Sermons and Woodboxes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/xxiii-an-accident) Visits Dr. Chilton's office, then is hit by a motor car and seriously injured, losing feeling in her legs. ### [John Pendleton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/xxiv-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/xxvi-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/xxvii-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/xxix-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/xxxi-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/xxxii-which-is-a-letter-from-pollyanna) Writes a letter celebrating her ability to walk again after months of recovery. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/characters/pollyanna_whittier - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/characters