Pollyanna · Chapter
Old Tom and Nancy explained
Nancy, the maid, prepares a small attic room for Pollyanna's arrival, expressing her indignation at Miss Polly's coldness.
What happens
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 that turned her bitter. Old Tom also identifies Pollyanna as the daughter of Miss Jennie, Miss Polly's deceased sister.
Themes in this chapter
Social Class and Judgment
Nancy's resentment toward Miss Polly's treatment and Old Tom's defense of Miss Polly highlight class tensions and judgments within the household.
Suffering and Resilience
Miss Polly's bitterness from a past love affair and Nancy's endurance of her mistress's harshness exemplify suffering and the resilience required to cope.
Characters to notice
- Nancy
Nancy cleans the attic room resentfully, muttering about Miss Polly's harshness, and later questions Old Tom about the family history.
- Old Tom
Old Tom shares memories of Miss Polly's past beauty and love affair, and identifies Pollyanna as Miss Jennie's child.
- Aunt Polly Harrington
Aunt Polly is discussed by Nancy and Old Tom; she is portrayed as bitter and prickly, with a past love affair that changed her.
- Pollyanna Whittier
Pollyanna is mentioned as the expected niece, Miss Jennie's daughter, who will be staying in the attic room.
Key passages
“I—just—wish—I could—dig—out—the corners—of—her—soul!”
Nancy wishes she could clean the dark corners of Miss Polly's soul as she cleans the attic.
Nancy's frustration with Miss Polly's coldness is expressed through her vigorous cleaning.
“She was an angel straight out of Heaven”
Old Tom describes Miss Jennie as a perfect, angelic person.
Old Tom's reverence for Miss Jennie contrasts with the current household's tension.