# Old Tom and Nancy explained — Pollyanna

> Chapter companion for Pollyanna by Eleanor H. Porter.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/ii-old-tom-and-nancy
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pollyanna_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters