# XX: Which Is More Surprising explained — Pollyanna

> Chapter companion for Pollyanna by Eleanor H. Porter.

## What happens

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 her aunt. Later, Dr. Chilton drives Pollyanna home from Sunday school, and she mistakenly tells him that Mr. Pendleton and Aunt Polly were once lovers. That afternoon, Mr. Pendleton corrects her misunderstanding, leaving Pollyanna disappointed that the situation is not the romantic reconciliation she had imagined.

## Themes in this chapter

### The Glad Game

Pollyanna attempts to find gladness in the situation, initially being glad about the supposed reconciliation, and later trying to be glad she didn't tell Aunt Polly about Mr. Pendleton's offer.

### Duty and Obligation

Pollyanna feels a strong sense of duty to Aunt Polly, stating 'I'm Aunt Polly's,' and struggles with Mr. Pendleton's request because of her obligation to her aunt.

### Transformation Through Connection

John Pendleton describes how Pollyanna's arrival has transformed his dreary world, bringing color and cheer, and he believes he needs her to play the glad game.

## Character check-ins

### Pollyanna Whittier

Pollyanna is caught between her loyalty to Aunt Polly and Mr. Pendleton's request for her to live with him. She mistakenly believes Mr. Pendleton and Aunt Polly were lovers and is disappointed when the truth is revealed.

### John Pendleton

John Pendleton confesses his past love for Pollyanna's mother and asks Pollyanna to come live with him. He becomes impatient and irritable when Pollyanna hesitates due to her loyalty to Aunt Polly.

### Aunt Polly Harrington

Aunt Polly is referenced as the object of Pollyanna's loyalty and the person Mr. Pendleton mistakenly believes is not the 'glad' kind. She is not present in the chapter but is central to the conflict.

### Dr. Thomas Chilton

Dr. Chilton drives Pollyanna home from Sunday school and learns of her mistaken belief about Mr. Pendleton and Aunt Polly being lovers. He reacts with surprise and an odd smile.

### Nancy

Nancy is mentioned as the source of Pollyanna's mistaken belief that Mr. Pendleton and Aunt Polly were once lovers.

## Key lines

> Before you were hers, Pollyanna, you were—your mother's. And—it was your mother's hand and heart that I wanted long years ago.

John Pendleton reveals that his past love was for Pollyanna's mother, not Aunt Polly.

_This revelation corrects Pollyanna's misunderstanding and sets up the central conflict of the chapter._

> If ever, ever I am to play the 'glad game,' Pollyanna, you'll have to come and play it with me.

John Pendleton admits he cannot find gladness without Pollyanna's presence and guidance.

_This highlights the theme of transformation through connection and the importance of the glad game._

> O dear! And it was all going so splendidly. I'd have been so glad to come—with Aunt Polly.

Pollyanna expresses her disappointment that the romantic reconciliation she imagined is not happening.

_This shows Pollyanna's emotional investment in the mistaken belief and her desire for a happy family._

## Links

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