# A Red Rose and a Lace Shawl explained — Pollyanna

> Chapter companion for Pollyanna by Eleanor H. Porter.

## What happens

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 initially resists but is momentarily captivated by her own transformed appearance. However, when Dr. Chilton arrives and sees her, she flees in embarrassment and later scolds Pollyanna. Dr. Chilton then takes Pollyanna to visit John Pendleton, and during the ride he admits he thought Miss Polly looked lovely, but asks Pollyanna not to tell her.

## Themes in this chapter

### Transformation Through Connection

Pollyanna's affectionate attention and styling temporarily transform Aunt Polly's appearance and demeanor, revealing a softer, more beautiful side.

### Pride and Reconciliation

Aunt Polly's pride is wounded when Dr. Chilton sees her dressed up, yet the incident hints at unresolved feelings and potential reconciliation.

### The Glad Game

Pollyanna applies her glad philosophy by focusing on the beauty of her aunt's curls and the joy of making her look pretty, despite Aunt Polly's initial resistance.

## Character check-ins

### Pollyanna Whittier

Eagerly dresses her aunt's hair and adorns her with a lace shawl and rose, then visits John Pendleton with Dr. Chilton.

### Aunt Polly Harrington

Returns from a Ladies' Aid meeting with naturally curled hair; reluctantly allows Pollyanna to style her, but flees in shame when Dr. Chilton sees her.

### Dr. Thomas Chilton

Arrives to take Pollyanna to John Pendleton; privately admits he thought Miss Polly looked lovely but asks Pollyanna not to tell her.

### John Pendleton

Requested Pollyanna's visit; mentioned as lying with a broken leg.

### Timothy Durgin

Drove Miss Polly to her Ladies' Aid meeting.

### Nancy

Helped regulate the attic where Pollyanna found the lace shawl.

## Key lines

> Oh⁠—oh⁠—oh! Why, Aunt Polly, you've got 'em, too

Pollyanna exclaims in delight upon seeing her aunt's natural curls.

_Pollyanna's joyful reaction to Aunt Polly's curly hair._

> I'll make you so pretty everybody'll just love to look at you!

Pollyanna promises to make her aunt beautiful so that others will enjoy seeing her.

_Pollyanna's enthusiastic declaration while styling her aunt's hair._

> Yes, Pollyanna, I⁠—I thought she did look⁠—just lovely.

Dr. Chilton quietly admits he found Miss Polly beautiful.

_Dr. Chilton's private compliment to Pollyanna about her aunt's appearance._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/xvi-a-red-rose-and-a-lace-shawl
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pollyanna_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters