Pollyanna Grows Up · Chapter
The Paying Guests explained
Pollyanna prepares the Harrington homestead for the arrival of Mrs.
What happens
Pollyanna prepares the Harrington homestead for the arrival of Mrs. Carew, Jamie, and Sadie Dean, overcoming Aunt Polly's disapproval and her own initial panic. The guests settle in, and later John Pendleton and Jimmy call, sparking a strange sense of recognition in Mrs. Carew toward Jimmy.
Themes in this chapter
Optimism and The Glad Game
Pollyanna refuses to be weary or discouraged despite challenges, and her glad spirit helps ease tensions with Aunt Polly and the guests.
Family and Belonging
The blending of the Harrington household with the Carews and the Pendletons creates a new sense of extended family and belonging.
Charity and Social Responsibility
Pollyanna's decision to take in paying guests reflects a spirit of sharing and responsibility, akin to her earlier peanut-sharing with the pigeons.
Characters to notice
- Pollyanna Whittier
Busy preparing the house for the paying guests, overcoming panic at the station, and managing the household with joy and determination.
- Aunt Polly
Initially disapproving and gloomy about the paying guests, but gradually warms to them due to their charm.
- Mrs. Carew
Arrives as a paying guest, showing beauty and lack of old bitterness; later feels a strange familiarity with Jimmy Pendleton.
- Jamie Kent
Arrives on crutches but with charm and magnetism; engages in storytelling and helps with chores, making Pollyanna forget his lameness.
- Sadie Dean
Arrives transformed in appearance and demeanor; skillfully changes conversation topics to include Jamie's interests.
- Jimmy Pendleton
Visits with John Pendleton; impresses Mrs. Carew and sparks a sense of recognition in her.
Key passages
“The few intervening days before the expected arrival of 'those dreadful people,' as Aunt Polly termed her niece's paying guests, were busy ones indeed for Pollyanna—but they were happy ones, too, as Pollyanna refused to be weary, or discouraged, or dismayed, no matter how puzzling were the daily problems she had to meet.”
In the days leading up to the arrival of the paying guests—whom Aunt Polly called 'those dreadful people'—Pollyanna stayed busy and happy, refusing to let any problem discourage her.
Highlights Pollyanna's optimism and work ethic despite Aunt Polly's negativity.
“Pollyanna laughed and threw back her shoulders alertly. 'Nothing. Never mind! I didn't mean it, of course, Timothy. Quick—see! They're almost here,' she panted. And Pollyanna hurried forward, quite herself once more.”
Pollyanna quickly recovered from her moment of panic, laughed it off, and rushed to greet the arriving guests with renewed confidence.
Shows Pollyanna overcoming a sudden attack of shyness and doubt.
“That Jimmy and Mr. Pendleton should be clearly impressed with the charm and beauty of Mrs. Carew did not surprise Pollyanna in the least; but the look that came into Mrs. Carew's face at sight of Jimmy did surprise her very much. It was almost a look of recognition.”
Pollyanna expected Jimmy and Mr. Pendleton to be charmed by Mrs. Carew, but she was surprised to see Mrs. Carew look at Jimmy as if she recognized him.
Foreshadows a possible connection between Mrs. Carew and Jimmy.