Pollyanna Grows Up · Chapter
Two Letters explained
Pollyanna receives a letter from Della Wetherby asking if she knows of a quiet place in Beldingsville where Mrs.
What happens
Pollyanna receives a letter from Della Wetherby asking if she knows of a quiet place in Beldingsville where Mrs. Carew, her secretary Sadie Dean, and her adopted son Jamie can board for the summer. Pollyanna excitedly proposes that they stay at her aunt's house, convincing Aunt Polly to allow it as a way to earn needed money. Later, Pollyanna writes back and gives the letter to Jimmy Pendleton to mail, though Jimmy feels jealous of Jamie. A second letter from Della arrives, confirming their plans and providing updates about Mrs. Carew's happiness, Jamie's condition, and Sadie Dean's work.
Themes in this chapter
Family and Belonging
Jamie's adoption by Mrs. Carew and his fear of not being the real Jamie Kent highlight themes of identity and belonging.
Charity and Social Responsibility
Mrs. Carew's work with working girls and her Home for Working Girls reflects social responsibility and charitable efforts.
Personal Growth and Maturity
Pollyanna's initiative to turn the house into a boarding place shows her growth into a responsible adult managing finances.
Characters to notice
- Pollyanna Whittier
Receives the letter from Della Wetherby, proposes boarding Mrs. Carew and Jamie at her aunt's house, and writes a reply given to Jimmy to mail.
- Aunt Polly
Initially horrified at the idea of turning the Harrington homestead into a boarding house, but is persuaded by Pollyanna's arguments about needing money.
- Jimmy Pendleton
Visits Pollyanna, receives her letter to mail, and struggles with jealousy over Jamie's upcoming arrival.
- Mrs. Carew
Is described in Della's letter as changed, happy, and tired from overwork; she plans to come to Beldingsville with Jamie and Sadie.
- Jamie Kent
Adopted by Mrs. Carew, uses crutches, and is described as having a free soul despite being a cripple; his great fear is discovering he is not the real Jamie Kent.
- Della Wetherby
Writes the initial letter to Pollyanna asking about a boarding place, and later writes a second letter with updates about Mrs. Carew, Jamie, and Sadie Dean.
Key passages
“You ask me to tell you everything about everybody. That is a large commission, but I'll do the best I can. To begin with, I think you'll find my sister quite changed. The new interests that have come into her life during the last six years have done wonders for her.”
Della writes that Mrs. Carew has transformed over the past six years due to new interests.
Highlights Mrs. Carew's personal growth and happiness.
“As for Jamie—poor Jamie! The great sorrow of his life is that he knows now he can never walk. For a time we all had hopes. He was here at the Sanatorium under Dr. Ames for a year, and he improved to such an extent that he can go now with crutches. But the poor boy will always be a cripple—so far as his feet are concerned, but never as regards anything else.”
Jamie has accepted that he will never walk, though he can use crutches; his spirit remains strong.
Emphasizes Jamie's physical limitation and inner resilience.
“There is just one thing—and only one, I believe—that would utterly quench that bright spirit and cast him into utter despair; and that is to find that he is not Jamie Kent, our nephew.”
The only thing that could break Jamie's spirit is discovering he is not the real Jamie Kent.
Reveals Jamie's deep fear about his identity.
