Pollyanna Grows Up · Chapter
A Surprise for Mrs. Carew explained
Mrs.
What happens
Mrs. Carew, haunted by the possibility that the crippled boy Jamie might be her lost nephew, writes to her sister Della for advice. Della visits but cannot confirm the boy's identity. Mrs. Carew struggles with her doubts and the emotional weight of the approaching Christmas season. Meanwhile, Pollyanna is deeply affected by the poverty she witnesses in Murphy's Alley and urges Mrs. Carew to help more, but Mrs. Carew resists, citing the role of charitable institutions. Ultimately, Mrs. Carew decides to take Jamie in, but he refuses, sensing that she does not truly want him for himself, only as a substitute for the real Jamie.
Themes in this chapter
Charity and Social Responsibility
Explored through Pollyanna's desire to help the poor and Mrs. Carew's reliance on charitable institutions, highlighting tensions between personal compassion and systemic giving.
Loss, Grief, and Healing
Mrs. Carew's unresolved grief over her lost nephew Jamie drives her actions and emotional turmoil throughout the chapter.
Family and Belonging
Central to the plot as Mrs. Carew seeks to reclaim her lost family member, and Jamie's refusal underscores his desire for genuine belonging rather than being a substitute.
Characters to notice
- Mrs. Carew
Struggles with doubt and despair over Jamie's identity; writes to her sister Della; ultimately offers to take Jamie in, but is rejected.
- Pollyanna Whittier
Deeply troubled by poverty; urges Mrs. Carew to help the poor; accompanies Mrs. Carew to see Jamie and is present when Jamie refuses the offer.
- Jamie Kent
Refuses Mrs. Carew's offer to take him in, feeling she does not truly want him for himself; heartbroken but resolute.
- Della Wetherby
Responds to Mrs. Carew's letter; visits Jamie but cannot confirm if he is the lost nephew; suggests adoption but is rebuffed.
- Jerry Murphy
Present during Mrs. Carew's visit; expresses disbelief at Jamie's refusal of the offer.
- Mrs. Murphy
Listens tearfully as Mrs. Carew makes her offer; pleads with Jamie to reconsider.
Key passages
“I had not meant to tell you... I thought it a pity to harrow you up, or to raise false hopes. I am so sure it is not he—and yet, even as I write these words, I know I am not sure.”
Mrs. Carew writes to her sister Della, explaining that she initially hesitated to share her doubts about Jamie's identity, but now admits her uncertainty.
Reveals Mrs. Carew's internal conflict and her need for Della's help.
“But why don't you take him, dear? ... Why don't you take him and adopt him? It would be lovely for him—poor little fellow—and—”
Della suggests that Mrs. Carew adopt Jamie regardless of his true identity, but Mrs. Carew refuses, wanting only her own Jamie.
Highlights the sisters' differing approaches to the situation.
“Thank you, Mrs. Carew, but—I can't go... I can't let you do all that for me. If you—cared it would be different. But you don't care—not really. You don't want me—not me. You want the real Jamie, and I ain't the real Jamie.”
Jamie refuses Mrs. Carew's offer, explaining that he can sense she does not truly want him, only the lost Jamie.
A pivotal moment showing Jamie's pride and emotional insight.