The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

by

Ann Shaffer

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The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society: Part 1: 22 May, 1946 Summary & Analysis

Summary
Analysis
Juliet writes to tell Sidney about her first day in Guernsey. The trip on the mail boat was horrendous until she caught sight of the glistening island. Then, as she pulled into St. Peter Port, Juliet was excited to see all her friends. Juliet could recognize all of them: Isola, Eben, Eli, Dawsey, and Kit. When she finally stepped onto land, Isola immediately hugged her. Kit sat on Eli's shoulders and looked dark and forbidding. Dawsey offered Juliet flowers from Booker, who was in the hospital, and Juliet believes Dawsey has the sweetest smile. Then, Juliet met Amelia. Juliet noticed a flashing light and Isola said it was Adelaide with her opera glasses.
Remember that Adelaide specifically said that Elizabeth was a terror with her telescope; Adelaide's use of opera glasses reinforces that she's hypocritical and nosy, and none of her letters should be taken seriously. The large group that greets Juliet reinforces the Society's closeness with each other and their sense of closeness with Juliet, given that they can't wait to see and welcome her.
Themes
Literature and Connection Theme Icon
Family, Parenting, and Legitimacy Theme Icon
Dawsey managed Juliet's bags and kept Kit safe, and Juliet realized that everyone depends on Dawsey to do this. He drove Juliet, Amelia, and Kit to Amelia's farm in the country, passing the bunkers as they went. Juliet did a few magic tricks for Kit, which piqued Kit's attention but didn't make her laugh. At supper, Kit sat right next to Dawsey and climbed into his lap when they finished. Kit did ask Juliet to tuck her into bed. Kit asked for a story about a ferret and then asked if Juliet would kiss a rat. Juliet's answer seemed to win Kit over; she let Juliet kiss her cheek.
The bunkers remind Juliet both of Amelia's letter and of the Todt workers who built them, which impresses upon her that she's entering a place that was touched by the war in a very different way than London was. Kit's acceptance of Juliet indicates that truthfulness and taking a child's questions seriously will help ingratiate oneself with children.
Themes
Family, Parenting, and Legitimacy Theme Icon
War, Hunger, and Humanity Theme Icon