Chapter 3 Summary

Mattie remembers details about Polly - the two girls had grown up together and were fast friends. Mattie is devastated by Polly's unexpected death. Mattie's mother explains that Polly died of an undiagnosed fever, and she ensures that Mattie is not ill. Mattie wants to visit Polly's house and attend her funeral, but Mrs. Cook forbids it. Mattie believes her mother's fear of fever-contagion is ridiculous but abides by her mother's wishes.

Chapter 3 Analysis

Mrs. Cook fully explains the situation of Polly's death in this short chapter. Mattie's character continues to be developed - she wants to do what she perceives as right, although at this point in the novel Mattie still acquiesces to her mother's demands. It is interesting to contrast Mattie's character in this chapter with the developed character of later chapters: here Mattie does not particularly value her mother's wisdom...