# Pollyanna — Chapters explained

> Chapter companions for Pollyanna by Eleanor H. Porter.

- [Pollyanna](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/pollyanna.md): Pollyanna Whittier arrives in Beldingsville to live with her stern Aunt Polly Harrington after her father's death. Despite her aunt's cold welcome and the modest attic room she is given, Pollyanna's cheerful disposition 
- [Miss Polly](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/i-miss-polly.md): Miss Polly Harrington, a stern and wealthy woman, receives a letter informing her of the death of her sister Jennie's husband, the Rev. John Whittier, and that their eleven-year-old daughter Pollyanna is coming to live w
- [Old Tom and Nancy](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/ii-old-tom-and-nancy.md): Nancy, the maid, prepares a small attic room for Pollyanna's arrival, expressing her indignation at Miss Polly's coldness. She speaks with Old Tom, who reveals that Miss Polly was once beautiful and had a love affair tha
- [The Coming of Pollyanna](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/iii-the-coming-of-pollyanna.md): Pollyanna arrives in Beldingsville and is met at the station by Nancy, the hired girl, instead of her Aunt Polly. During the carriage ride to the Harrington house, Pollyanna's cheerful and talkative nature emerges, and s
- [The Little Attic Room](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/iv-the-little-attic-room.md): Pollyanna meets her stern Aunt Polly, who immediately imposes strict rules and assigns her to a sparse attic room. Despite the disappointment, Pollyanna finds joy in the view from the window and explores outside, climbin
- [The Game](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/v-the-game.md): Pollyanna explains the 'Glad Game' to Nancy, a game her father taught her about finding something to be glad about in every situation. Nancy is initially skeptical but agrees to play along. Pollyanna also tries to includ
- [A Question of Duty](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/vi-a-question-of-duty.md): Pollyanna awakens on her first full day in Beldingsville and enthusiastically greets her aunt in the garden, where she meets Old Tom, who knew her mother. Aunt Polly, focused on duty, outlines a strict schedule of lesson
- [Pollyanna and Punishments](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/vii-pollyanna-and-punishments.md): Pollyanna goes shopping for a new wardrobe with Aunt Polly, then spends the evening talking with Old Tom and Nancy. Later, unable to sleep in her hot attic room, she climbs out onto the sun-parlor roof to sleep in the co
- [Pollyanna Pays a Visit](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/viii-pollyanna-pays-a-visit.md): Pollyanna's daily routine at the Harrington homestead settles into a pattern, with afternoons free for exploration. She befriends a mysterious, solitary man on her walks and visits the cantankerous Mrs. Snow, bringing ca
- [Which Tells of the Man](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/ix-which-tells-of-the-man.md): Pollyanna persists in greeting the reclusive John Pendleton, who initially rebuffs her but eventually softens and speaks to her. Nancy reveals that Pendleton is a wealthy, mysterious man who lives alone and speaks to no 
- [X: A Surprise for Mrs. Snow](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/x-a-surprise-for-mrs-snow.md): Pollyanna is moved to a better room after Aunt Polly overhears her wistful comments about wanting pretty things. Later, Pollyanna visits Mrs. Snow with a basket of carefully chosen foods, cheerfully lifting the shade and
- [XI: Introducing Jimmy](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/xi-introducing-jimmy.md): Pollyanna meets a homeless boy named Jimmy Bean by the roadside and, sympathizing with his desire for a home, brings him to Aunt Polly, expecting her to take him in as she did the stray animals. Aunt Polly, overwhelmed b
- [Before the Ladies' Aid](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/xii-before-the-ladies-aid.md): Pollyanna attempts to discuss the Glad Game at a silent dinner with Aunt Polly, who eventually allows her to speak. Later, Pollyanna attends the Ladies' Aid meeting alone to plead for Jimmy Bean to be taken in by a local
- [In Pendleton Woods](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/xiii-in-pendleton-woods.md): Pollyanna, seeking solace after a disappointing day, walks through Pendleton Woods. She encounters John Pendleton's dog, who leads her to the injured man lying at the foot of a ledge with a broken leg. Following his inst
- [Just a Matter of Jelly](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/xiv-just-a-matter-of-jelly.md): Pollyanna is late for supper after John Pendleton's accident but escapes reproof because Aunt Polly has gone to Boston for a cousin's funeral. She meets Jimmy Bean and promises to write to the Ladies' Aid about adopting 
- [Dr. Chilton](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/xv-dr-chilton.md): Pollyanna visits John Pendleton, delivers jelly, and discusses the glad game with him. She later rides home with Dr. Chilton, sharing her philosophy that being a doctor is the 'gladdest' profession because it helps suffe
- [A Red Rose and a Lace Shawl](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/xvi-a-red-rose-and-a-lace-shawl.md): Pollyanna, upon seeing her aunt return from a Ladies' Aid meeting with her hair naturally curled, enthusiastically persuades Miss Polly to let her style her hair and dress her in a lace shawl and a red rose. Miss Polly i
- [Just Like a Book](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/xvii-just-like-a-book.md): Pollyanna visits John Pendleton, who shows her his collection of curios and asks her to visit him regularly. Nancy later pieces together that John Pendleton and Aunt Polly were once lovers, adding a romantic mystery to t
- [Prisms](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/xviii-prisms.md): Pollyanna continues her visits to John Pendleton, who remains irritable and unhappy despite her presence. She observes the tension between him and her Aunt Polly, and also notes her aunt's hostility toward Dr. Chilton. O
- [XIX: Which Is Somewhat Surprising](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/xix-which-is-somewhat-surprising.md): Pollyanna starts school in September and excels, but still visits her old friends. John Pendleton, feeling neglected, asks Pollyanna to come live with him, revealing his long-ago love for someone. Pollyanna misunderstand
- [XX: Which Is More Surprising](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/xx-which-is-more-surprising.md): John Pendleton reveals to Pollyanna that he loved her mother, not Aunt Polly, and asks Pollyanna to come live with him. Pollyanna, torn between her loyalty to Aunt Polly and her affection for Mr. Pendleton, agrees to ask
- [A Question Answered](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/xxi-a-question-answered.md): Pollyanna visits John Pendleton to tell him she cannot leave Aunt Polly, but suggests he take in Jimmy Bean as a 'child's presence' to cure his loneliness. After initial resistance and a misunderstanding about a 'skeleto
- [XXII: Sermons and Woodboxes](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/xxii-sermons-and-woodboxes.md): The Rev. Paul Ford, overwhelmed by parish conflicts, retreats to the woods seeking solace. Pollyanna finds him and shares the story of her father and the 'rejoicing texts,' which inspires Ford to abandon his planned serm
- [An Accident](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/xxiii-an-accident.md): Pollyanna visits Dr. Chilton's office to get a medicine name for Mrs. Snow, leading to a conversation about home and love. Later, she is struck by a motor car and seriously injured, causing Aunt Polly and Nancy great dis
- [John Pendleton](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/xxiv-john-pendleton.md): Pollyanna regains full consciousness after a week of fever and learns she is hurt, not sick. She finds gladness in her condition, comparing it favorably to lifelong invalidism. Aunt Polly is deeply moved by Pollyanna's g
- [A Door Ajar](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/xxvi-a-door-ajar.md): Dr. Mead, the specialist, arrives to examine Pollyanna. During a conversation in the hall, Pollyanna overhears Aunt Polly's anguished exclamation that she may never walk again. The revelation shatters Pollyanna's hope an
- [Two Visits](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/xxvii-two-visits.md): Miss Polly sends Nancy to inform John Pendleton of Dr. Mead's verdict that Pollyanna will never walk again. Pendleton is deeply moved and later visits to deliver a message: he has decided to adopt Jimmy Bean, hoping to b
- [XXVIII: The Game and Its Players](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/xxviii-the-game-and-its-players.md): Pollyanna learns that the entire town has embraced the Glad Game because of her influence, and she finds a new reason to be glad despite her injury. Visitors like Milly Snow and Mrs. Benton bring messages of gratitude, a
- [Through an Open Window](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/xxix-through-an-open-window.md): As winter turns to spring, Pollyanna remains bedridden and in pain, but she continues to play the glad game with renewed determination, inspired by Aunt Polly's own newfound optimism. Despite her cheerful front, her cond
- [Jimmy Takes the Helm](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/xxx-jimmy-takes-the-helm.md): Jimmy Bean bravely confronts Miss Polly to reveal that Dr. Chilton knows a specialist who might help Pollyanna walk again, but pride and misunderstanding have kept him away. Moved by Jimmy's plea, Miss Polly overcomes he
- [A New Uncle](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/xxxi-a-new-uncle.md): Dr. Chilton visits Pollyanna, leading to a reconciliation with Aunt Polly, who announces she will marry Dr. Chilton and that Pollyanna will be taken to a specialist for her legs.
- [Which Is a Letter from Pollyanna](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/xxxii-which-is-a-letter-from-pollyanna.md): Pollyanna writes a joyful letter to Aunt Polly and Uncle Tom, announcing that she has taken her first steps after nearly ten months in the hospital. She describes the emotional reactions of doctors, nurses, and other pat

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters