# Which Is a Letter from Pollyanna explained — Pollyanna

> Chapter companion for Pollyanna by Eleanor H. Porter.

## What happens

Pollyanna writes a joyful letter to Aunt Polly and Uncle Tom, announcing that she has taken her first steps after nearly ten months in the hospital. She describes the emotional reactions of doctors, nurses, and other patients, and expresses gratitude for Aunt Polly's wedding held by her bedside. She declares her newfound appreciation for walking and her gladness for everything, including the experience of losing her legs.

## Themes in this chapter

### The Glad Game

Pollyanna explicitly plays the Glad Game by being glad she lost her legs to appreciate them fully.

### Suffering and Resilience

Pollyanna's recovery and positive outlook after months of immobility demonstrate resilience.

## Character check-ins

### Pollyanna Whittier

Writes a letter celebrating her ability to walk again after months of recovery.

### Aunt Polly Harrington

Addressed in the letter; she married Uncle Tom by Pollyanna's bedside.

### Timothy Durgin

Referred to as 'Uncle Tom' in the letter, having married Aunt Polly.

## Key lines

> Oh, I can—I can—I can walk! I did today all the way from my bed to the window!

Pollyanna exclaims with joy that she has walked from her bed to the window.

_Highlights the triumphant moment of her first steps._

> I'm glad now I lost my legs for a while, for you never, never know how perfectly lovely legs are till you haven't got them—that go, I mean.

Pollyanna says she is grateful for the experience of losing her legs because it taught her to appreciate walking.

_Illustrates her application of the Glad Game to her own suffering._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/xxxii-which-is-a-letter-from-pollyanna
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pollyanna_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters