Showing results for title "Pollyanna", by author "Eleanor H. Porter" in Classics

Pollyanna is a kind novel advocating an optimistic outlook, which is summarized in a famous quote 'When you look for the bad in mankind expecting to find it, you surely will'. Pollyanna, a young orphan, is living with her stern aunt, who is taking care of her out of 'sense of duty'. Under any circumstances Pollyanna prefers to see only their best side, taking joy in simplest things, she affects everyone around her. Hence a popular term 'Pollyannaism', or the Pollyanna Principle, a subconscious bias towards the positive.

Miss Polly Harrington was content in her solitary life as a wealthy spinster, enjoying her quiet and orderly homestead in Vermont. She didn't care that her staff whispered and grumbled about her behind her back...she liked things the way they were. Until one day, a letter arrived from a far Western town, informing her of a newly-orphaned niece with nowhere to go.

When young and upbeat Pollyanna is left an orphan, her life seems to be very bleak. Pollyanna is sent to live with her Aunt Polly, a cold woman who does not share Pollyanna’s optimism or joy. Pollyanna resists falling into sadness, until another tragedy shakes up her world. Left paralyzed by a terrible accident, Pollyanna finds that staying happy is not always going to be easy. As she realizes the misfortune that she has had, she finds it harder and harder to stay positive and bright.