Pollyanna Grows Up · Chapter
Jamie explained
Pollyanna meets a boy named Jamie in the Garden who cannot walk and lives in poverty with the Murphy family.
What happens
Pollyanna meets a boy named Jamie in the Garden who cannot walk and lives in poverty with the Murphy family. She learns about his Jolly Book, his chronic pain, and his uncertain past. Pollyanna becomes convinced that Jamie is the lost Jamie Kent that Mrs. Carew has been searching for, but she decides not to reveal her suspicion yet to avoid raising false hopes.
Themes in this chapter
Optimism and The Glad Game
Jamie demonstrates a form of the glad game by focusing on the relief after pain and the joy of small pleasures, despite his hardships.
Charity and Social Responsibility
Pollyanna is shocked by Jamie's hunger and poverty, highlighting the need for community support and charity.
Family and Belonging
Jamie's story of being taken in by the Murphys after his father's death explores themes of found family and belonging.
Characters to notice
- Pollyanna Whittier
Pollyanna meets Jamie in the Garden, learns about his life, and becomes determined to help him. She suspects he is the lost Jamie Kent but keeps her theory secret to avoid disappointment.
- Jamie Kent
A boy who cannot walk, lives with the Murphy family, and keeps a Jolly Book. He is in chronic pain and experiences hunger. Pollyanna suspects he is the lost Jamie Kent.
- Jerry Murphy
Jamie's caretaker and friend who brings him to the Garden each day. He is mentioned as helping to get Jamie's wheelchair and as being good to Jamie.
- Mrs. Murphy
Referred to as 'mumsey' by Jamie. She took Jamie in after his father died and cares for him despite their poverty.
- Mrs. Carew
Mentioned indirectly as the person Pollyanna hopes to reunite with Jamie. Pollyanna plans to bring her to meet Jamie.
Key passages
“Things that are so are so, and they can't be any other way. So what's the use thinking how they might be? Besides, the harder it aches one day, the nicer 'tis to have it letup the next.”
Jamie accepts his chronic pain as unchangeable and finds comfort in the relief that follows a bad day.
Jamie's pragmatic acceptance of his condition and his ability to find a silver lining.
“I'm trying not to think of that. You know what it is when—when your think gets to going.”
Jamie avoids dwelling on his inability to walk because it leads to painful thoughts.
Jamie's strategy to manage his emotional pain by not thinking about his limitations.
“Nobody I know is dishin' out roast beef and frosted cakes for the askin'. Besides, if you didn't go hungry once in a while, you wouldn't know how good 'taters and milk can taste; and you wouldn't have so much to put in your Jolly Book.”
Jamie explains that food is not freely given and that hunger makes simple meals more enjoyable, which he records in his Jolly Book.
Jamie's realistic view of poverty and his use of the Jolly Book to find gratitude in small things.