Polly’s Desperation and Deception

The Godmother

Polly’s heartbreak, pregnancy, and fear of losing Robbie lead her to distort the truth, ultimately securing his support while compromising his ability to choose freely.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

Left Behind Left Behind from "The Godmother". Left Behind Polly Drayton returns to her parents’ pub after Robbie ends their long, unstable relationship.

Left Behind from "The Godmother". Left Behind Polly Drayton returns to her parents’ pub after Robbie ends their long, unstable relationship.

Left Behind Polly Drayton returns to her parents’ pub after Robbie ends their long, unstable relationship. A Narrow World She has few prospects beyond family work and little confidence that she can build a life alone. Robbie’s untidy home had made her feel less ashamed of her own difficulties. Grief Becomes Fixation Polly loves Robbie and believes he is the person who could give her a future. Her dependence on that belief makes separation feel unbearable rather than final.

A Pregnancy Kept Secret A Pregnancy Kept Secret from "The Godmother". A Pregnancy Kept Secret After Robbie leaves her, Polly has sex with Felipe and later becomes pregnant, while continuing to hope that Robbie will return.

A Pregnancy Kept Secret from "The Godmother". A Pregnancy Kept Secret After Robbie leaves her, Polly has sex with Felipe and later becomes pregnant, while continuing to hope that Robbie will return.

A Pregnancy Kept Secret After Robbie leaves her, Polly has sex with Felipe and later becomes pregnant, while continuing to hope that Robbie will return. A Complicated Conception Her brief encounter with Felipe follows hurt and a desire for consolation. The pregnancy does not arise from a settled plan or a secure relationship. Secrecy and Fear Polly conceals the pregnancy and allows Robbie to believe the child may be his. Fear, shame, and longing begin to shape the choices she makes next.

The Ultrasound Delivered The Ultrasound Delivered from "The Godmother". The Ultrasound Delivered Polly appears at Rachel’s flat and leaves an envelope for Robbie before retreating without explaining what it contains.

The Ultrasound Delivered from "The Godmother". The Ultrasound Delivered Polly appears at Rachel’s flat and leaves an envelope for Robbie before retreating without explaining what it contains.

The Ultrasound Delivered Polly appears at Rachel’s flat and leaves an envelope for Robbie before retreating without explaining what it contains. A Message Without Context The envelope holds Polly’s ultrasound image. Robbie is devastated by the implication that she is carrying his child, though he does not yet know the circumstances. Pressure on Robbie Polly’s indirect approach leaves Robbie to confront the possibility alone. The image binds him emotionally to a pregnancy while withholding the information needed for a clear decision.

A Lie About Rachel A Lie About Rachel from "The Godmother". A Lie About Rachel While staying with Will, Polly learns about Rachel and tells Robbie that Rachel and Will are having an affair.

A Lie About Rachel from "The Godmother". A Lie About Rachel While staying with Will, Polly learns about Rachel and tells Robbie that Rachel and Will are having an affair.

A Lie About Rachel While staying with Will, Polly learns about Rachel and tells Robbie that Rachel and Will are having an affair. Knowledge Turned into Leverage Polly notices Will’s portrait of Rachel and uses it to make her false story seem plausible. She wants Robbie back and decides that deception is her route to that security. A Relationship Broken Robbie accepts Polly’s account and ends things with Rachel. Polly’s lie achieves its immediate aim, but it deepens the dishonesty on which her future with Robbie will rest.

Robbie’s Commitment Robbie’s Commitment from "The Godmother". Robbie’s Commitment Robbie believes the unborn child is his and decides to support Polly, who is several months pregnant.

Robbie’s Commitment from "The Godmother". Robbie’s Commitment Robbie believes the unborn child is his and decides to support Polly, who is several months pregnant.

Robbie’s Commitment Robbie believes the unborn child is his and decides to support Polly, who is several months pregnant. The Comfort of Dependence He prefers the familiar dynamic in which Polly relies on him and does not challenge his authority. Rachel’s independence had made him fear that he could not meet her expectations. A Future Built on an Error Polly welcomes his commitment, but her account of the child’s paternity is false. Their apparent domestic resolution offers security while concealing a truth that may later undo it.

After Robbie ends their six-year relationship

Late October, several months before the ending

During Robbie’s first London weekend

After Will takes Polly in during late winter

Near the ending, after Rachel and Robbie separate