Pollyanna Grows Up · Chapter
A New Acquaintance explained
Pollyanna, now under strict supervision after her adventurous walk, is allowed to visit the Boston Public Garden alone but with many rules.
What happens
Pollyanna, now under strict supervision after her adventurous walk, is allowed to visit the Boston Public Garden alone but with many rules. There she meets Jerry Murphy and a lame boy who loves reading and naming the birds and squirrels after characters from books. Pollyanna and the lame boy share a wonderful hour feeding the animals and talking about knights and stories, forming a new friendship.
Themes in this chapter
Optimism and The Glad Game
Pollyanna's cheerful demeanor transforms the mood of trolley car passengers, illustrating her innate optimism.
Personal Growth and Maturity
Pollyanna adapts to the restrictions placed on her and finds joy in the Garden, showing her growing maturity.
Characters to notice
- Pollyanna Whittier
Pollyanna enjoys the Garden, feeds the animals, and makes a new friend, the lame boy, despite strict rules.
- Mrs. Carew
Mrs. Carew accompanies Pollyanna to concerts and museums, and learns about Pollyanna's effect on trolley car passengers from Mary.
- Jerry Murphy
Jerry wheels the lame boy to the Garden, introduces him to Pollyanna, and explains the boy's habit of naming animals after book characters.
- Jamie Kent
The lame boy in the wheel chair, who loves reading and names the animals after literary characters; he shares stories with Pollyanna.
- Nancy
Mary (Nancy) reports to Mrs. Carew about Pollyanna's positive influence on trolley car passengers.
Key passages
“I mean, it's queer, ma'am, it's queer how Miss Pollyanna just gets 'round everybody — and without half trying. It isn't that she does anything. She doesn't. She just — just looks glad, I guess, that's all.”
Mary explains to Mrs. Carew that Pollyanna's mere presence and glad expression can change the mood of an entire trolley car full of strangers.
Highlights Pollyanna's natural ability to spread cheer without effort.
“This chap ain't drunk nor crazy. See? Them's jest names he's give his young friends here, — with a flourish of his arms toward the furred and feathered creatures that were gathering from all directions. 'An' they ain't even names of folks. They're just guys out of books.”
Jerry tells Pollyanna that the lame boy is not crazy; he simply names the birds and squirrels after characters from books.
Introduces the lame boy's imaginative world and his love for literature.