1. Discuss the images of rainbows and prisms. What does Mr. Pendleton mean when he says that Pollyanna is the "finest prism of them all"?

2. Discuss the symbolism of the missionary barrel and the crutches.

3. Look up the word "Pollyanna" in several dictionaries. Do these definitions reflect or describe the character of Pollyanna in this novel?

4. Aunt Polly demands of Pollyanna, "Will you stop using that everlasting word 'glad'! It's 'glad'—'glad'—'glad' from morning till night until I think I shall grow wild!" Do you get tired of hearing Pollyanna talking about being "glad"?

Why or why not?

5. Would the world be a better place if there were more people like Pollyanna?

Why or why not? List some of the world's best known altruists and activists. Are these people effective because they share or lack Pollyanna's "gladness"?