# A Question of Duty explained — Pollyanna

> Chapter companion for Pollyanna by Eleanor H. Porter.

## What happens

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 lessons, sewing, and cooking, leaving Pollyanna little time for the outdoor exploration she calls 'living.' Pollyanna struggles to find something to be glad about in the endless round of duty.

## Themes in this chapter

### Duty and Obligation

Aunt Polly repeatedly frames her actions and expectations around 'duty,' while Pollyanna struggles to reconcile this with her desire for joy and freedom.

### Optimism vs. Pessimism

Pollyanna attempts to find something to be glad about in the duty business, but even she struggles, ultimately finding only a small consolation in being glad when the duty is done.

## Character check-ins

### Pollyanna Whittier

Awakens joyfully, greets Aunt Polly in the garden, meets Old Tom, and is dismayed by the strict schedule of duties imposed by her aunt.

### Aunt Polly Harrington

Emphasizes duty and obligation, outlines a rigorous daily schedule for Pollyanna, and reacts irritably to Pollyanna's questions about finding gladness.

### Old Tom

The gardener who knew Pollyanna's mother; he is visibly moved by Pollyanna's resemblance to her and briefly shares a tender moment with her.

### Nancy

Hurries Pollyanna to breakfast and later is sent to close windows and search for flies after Pollyanna opened them without screens.

## Key lines

> That’s what I call living, Aunt Polly. Just breathing isn’t living!

Pollyanna tells her aunt that true living means doing what you love, not merely existing.

_Pollyanna contrasts her aunt's focus on duty with her own desire for joyful, active engagement with the world._

> I don’t see, really, what there was impertinent about that. I was only asking her if she couldn’t tell me something to be glad about in all that duty business.

Pollyanna is confused why her aunt considered her question impertinent, as she was simply seeking a reason for gladness.

_Highlights the clash between Pollyanna's optimistic nature and Aunt Polly's strict, duty-bound perspective._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/vi-a-question-of-duty
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pollyanna_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters