Pollyanna Grows Up · Chapter
IV: The Game and Mrs. Carew explained
Pollyanna explores Boston and her new home on Commonwealth Avenue, attends church with Mrs.
What happens
Pollyanna explores Boston and her new home on Commonwealth Avenue, attends church with Mrs. Carew, and tries to share the Glad Game with her. Mrs. Carew, still grieving the loss of her nephew Jamie, resists Pollyanna's optimism but eventually reveals her tragic story, leading Pollyanna to suggest she can play the game by hoping to find Jamie alive.
Themes in this chapter
Optimism and The Glad Game
Pollyanna introduces the Glad Game to Mrs. Carew, attempting to reframe her grief over Jamie's disappearance into hope, though Mrs. Carew initially rejects it.
Loss, Grief, and Healing
Mrs. Carew's story of losing her nephew Jamie eight years ago illustrates her unresolved grief, which prevents her from finding joy in her material wealth.
Characters to notice
- Pollyanna Whittier
Pollyanna enthusiastically explores Boston, attends church, and attempts to teach Mrs. Carew the Glad Game, showing empathy when she learns about Jamie's disappearance.
- Mrs. Carew
Mrs. Carew is exasperated by Pollyanna's constant gladness but eventually opens up about her lost nephew Jamie, revealing her deep grief and resistance to the Glad Game.
- Della Wetherby
Mentioned in Mrs. Carew's thoughts as the one who told her about the Glad Game and who advocates living 'one minute at a time.'
Key passages
“The game is to find something in everything to be glad about; and you couldn't even begin to hunt, for there isn't anything about you but what you could be glad about.”
Pollyanna explains that the Glad Game involves finding something to be happy about in every situation, but she thinks Mrs. Carew has so much to be glad for that she wouldn't need to play.
Pollyanna's misunderstanding of Mrs. Carew's grief leads to a tense moment, revealing the depth of Mrs. Carew's sorrow.
“You can be glad every day, for every day brings you just one day nearer to the time when you're going to find him.”
Pollyanna suggests that Mrs. Carew can play the Glad Game by being happy that each day brings her closer to finding Jamie.
Pollyanna attempts to reframe Mrs. Carew's grief into hope, but Mrs. Carew is not ready to accept this perspective.