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 2: 9 Aug, 1946 Summary & Analysis

Summary
Analysis
Juliet congratulates Sophie on her new pregnancy. She tells Sophie that Isola is sending a bottle of "Pre-Birthing Tonic," and Sophie shouldn't drink it. Juliet says that she can't answer any questions about Dawsey, as she never sees him anymore. After Mark showed up, Juliet and Dawsey stopped talking and it seems as though they're barely friends anymore.
The fact that Isola sent a gift to Sophie at all suggests that with Juliet becoming more and more integrated on the island, the Society will naturally accept her friends and chosen family along with her.
Themes
Family, Parenting, and Legitimacy Theme Icon
Juliet says she asked Isola about Dawsey since he won't talk. Isola is becoming disillusioned with phrenology; she commented that Dawsey should have a larger "violence node" given that he beat a man named Eddie Meares. Juliet learned that Eddie Meares ratted out his neighbors to the Germans in exchange for favors, and he's the one who reported Peter and Elizabeth. After he disclosed what he'd done, Dawsey beat him in the pub. Dawsey spent a month in jail for it. Isola then shared the rest of Dawsey's history: his father died when he was a child and his mother became progressively madder and eventually refused to leave the house. She died right before the war.
Given that Peter and Elizabeth were arrested long after the Society's inception, Dawsey's choice to beat Eddie Meares stands as an example of the effect that books, friendship, and Elizabeth's example had on him. Between those three things, Dawsey was able to put his past behind him and find a new and supportive family through the Society, whom he'd defend and go to jail for as he did for Elizabeth.
Themes
Literature and Connection Theme Icon
Family, Parenting, and Legitimacy Theme Icon
War, Hunger, and Humanity Theme Icon