Pollyanna Grows Up · Chapter
Jimmy and Jamie explained
Jimmy Pendleton struggles with his feelings for Pollyanna, believing she loves Jamie.
What happens
Jimmy Pendleton struggles with his feelings for Pollyanna, believing she loves Jamie. Jamie reveals his literary success and his love for Sadie Dean, not Pollyanna. Misunderstandings arise when Jamie suggests Pollyanna might be in love with John Pendleton, causing turmoil for both Jimmy and Mrs. Carew.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Marriage
Explores romantic misunderstandings and unrequited love, with Jimmy's mistaken belief about Jamie and Pollyanna, and Jamie's love for Sadie Dean.
Personal Growth and Maturity
Jamie's literary success represents his growth toward independence and self-worth, while Jimmy grapples with his emotions and learns to let go of assumptions.
Characters to notice
- Jimmy Pendleton
Struggles with unrequited love for Pollyanna, finds solace in helping Mrs. Carew, and experiences a dramatic emotional shift upon learning Jamie loves Sadie Dean.
- Jamie Kent
Celebrates winning a writing prize and book acceptance, reveals his love for Sadie Dean, and mistakenly believes Pollyanna is in love with John Pendleton.
- Mrs. Carew
Shows pride in Jamie's achievements, becomes unsettled by the suggestion that John Pendleton loves Pollyanna, and leaves the room in distress.
- Pollyanna Whittier
Mentioned as the object of Jimmy's affection and the subject of Jamie's speculation about John Pendleton.
- Sadie Dean
Revealed as the true object of Jamie's love, though she is not present in the chapter.
- John Pendleton
Mentioned as a possible love interest for Pollyanna, with his past love for Pollyanna's mother revealed.
Key passages
“If only they'd settle things and announce the engagement, once for all, murmured Jimmy to himself, more and more frequently these days.”
Jimmy repeatedly wishes that the supposed engagement between Pollyanna and Jamie would be made official so he can move on.
Reveals Jimmy's inner turmoil and mistaken belief about Jamie and Pollyanna's relationship.
“Wouldn't you think it had if all your life you'd been in prison, and suddenly you saw the gates flung wide open?”
Jamie compares his literary success to being freed from a lifelong prison, expressing overwhelming joy.
Highlights Jamie's sense of liberation and newfound hope through his writing achievements.
“I'd thought of—Pollyanna.”
Jimmy admits he mistakenly believed Jamie was in love with Pollyanna.
Key moment of revelation that clears up the romantic misunderstanding.