Character guide

Pollyanna Whittier

major

Also known as Pollyanna, Polly, Miss Pollyanna, Polly anna, May

The cheerful orphan who spreads her 'glad game' to everyone she meets.

Aunt Polly

major

Also known as Polly, Mrs. Polly Chilton, Mrs. Chilton, Polly Chilton, Mary

Pollyanna's strict but loving aunt who raises her after her father's death.

Jimmy Pendleton

major

Also known as Jimmy Bean, Jimmy, Pendleton, Jimmy Pendleton, Jim

A spirited boy who becomes Pollyanna's close friend and later a young man.

Jamie Kent

major

Also known as Jamie, James Kent, Kent, the lost Jamie, Sir James

A mysterious crippled boy who forms a deep bond with Pollyanna.

Mrs. Carew

major

Also known as Ruth Carew, Ruth, Carew, Mrs. Ruth Carew

A wealthy, lonely woman who searches for her lost nephew Jamie.

John Pendleton

supporting

Also known as John, young Pendleton, Pendleton, Mr. Pendleton

A gruff but kind bachelor who adopts Jimmy and becomes a father figure.

Della Wetherby

supporting

Also known as Della, Miss Wetherby, Miss Della Wetherby

A kind society woman who helps Mrs. Carew and befriends Pollyanna.

Nancy

supporting

The loyal maid in Aunt Polly's household who adores Pollyanna.

Sadie Dean

supporting

Also known as Sadie, Sarah, Mercy

A young shopgirl who becomes a friend to Pollyanna in Boston.

Jerry Murphy

supporting

Also known as Jerry

A poor Irish boy who helps Pollyanna and becomes her friend.

Dr. Chilton

supporting

Also known as Dr. ¬ÝChilton, April Dr. Chilton

The town doctor and a close friend of Aunt Polly's family.

John Kent

supporting

Also known as Kent

Jamie's long-lost father who reappears later in the story.

Mrs. Snow

minor

A bedridden, complaining woman whom Pollyanna cheers up.

Dr. Ames

minor

A Boston doctor who treats Jamie and advises Mrs. Carew.

Thomas Chilton

minor

Also known as Thomas, Tom

A relative of Aunt Polly's who appears briefly.

Mrs. Murphy

minor

Also known as Murphy

Jerry's mother, a poor Irish widow in the tenements.

Mrs. Durgin

minor

Also known as Timothy, Mrs. Timothy Durgin

A boarding house keeper who hosts Pollyanna in Boston.

Milly Snow

minor

Also known as Milly

Mrs. Snow's daughter who cares for her mother.

Perkins

minor

Also known as the scowling Perkins

John Pendleton's stern but loyal servant.

Doris Wetherby

minor

Also known as Doris

Della Wetherby's younger sister who visits briefly.

Susie Smith

minor

Also known as Susan

A friend of Pollyanna's from the village.

Jennie

minor

A girl mentioned in passing as a childhood friend.

Tommy Dolan

minor

Also known as Thomas, Dolan

A young boy from Murphy's Alley who knows Jerry.

Bridget

minor

A servant in the Carew household.

Nellie Mahoney

minor

A young girl from the tenements who appears briefly.

Old Mrs. Tibbits

minor

An elderly neighbor in Beldingsville.

Mr. Carew

minor

Mrs. Carew's deceased husband, mentioned in backstory.

Uncle John

minor

A relative of the Pendleton family mentioned briefly.

Uncle Tom

minor

A minor relative mentioned in passing.

Henry Dodge

minor

Also known as Henry, Harry

A young man who briefly courts Sadie Dean.

Betty

minor

A servant girl in the Carew household.

Joe

minor

Also known as Cross Joe

A grumpy man in Murphy's Alley who knows Jerry.

Mumsey

minor

Jerry Murphy's affectionate term for his mother.