Chapter Two: Poor Little Rich Girl Summary and Analysis

As a child, Eleanor displayed such old-fashioned ways that her own mother nicknamed her "Granny". This characterization by her mother hurt and stung her for years. Eleanor was, by her own assessment, plain at best; in fact, she thought she was "a blue-eyed rather ugly little girl" (p. 5). Her mother, Anna, was a beauty, and she was in stark contrast to her daughter's appearance. Her mother, who put great emphasis on appearances, was largely responsible for the feelings of inferiority that Eleanor struggled with the rest of her life. Eleanor adored her father, Elliott, who was a handsome, charming man and famed big-game hunter. Elliott recognized the talents of his young daughter and doted on her.

Anna Hall was a glamorous and beautiful debutante when the dashing Elliott Roosevelt began courting...