The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Nina Deichmann https://padlet.com/nina_deichmann/oehfzzee75cl Intrigue Journal-- Nina Deichmann Pd. 1 en-us 2019-03-25 18:38:15 UTC 2019-03-26 14:12:45 UTC hello@padlet.com MAIN THEME: nina_deichmann https://padlet.com/nina_deichmann/oehfzzee75cl/wish/344975165 The power of literature to bring people together and help them find comfort in the midst of hard times. 

]]> 2019-03-25 18:42:51 UTC https://padlet.com/nina_deichmann/oehfzzee75cl/wish/344975165 “We read books, talked books, argued over books, and became dearer and dearer to one another. Other islanders asked to join us, and our evenings became bright lively times- we could almost forget, now and then, the darkness outside” (51). nina_deichmann https://padlet.com/nina_deichmann/oehfzzee75cl/wish/344975482
Although the Literary Society was formed merely as a ruse to explain to the Germans why the members were out past curfew, the Society ended up serving a larger purpose during the Occupation than any of the members could have initially realized. The Society brought together people from all over the island who did not know much about each other and turned them into a family who provides comfort and love to one another. The literature and the Society meetings served as an outlet for the people during the war.  The members were provided with a distraction that allowed them to almost forget, for a brief moment, the terrible events happening around them. ]]> 2019-03-25 18:43:27 UTC https://padlet.com/nina_deichmann/oehfzzee75cl/wish/344975482 “All those people I've come to know and even love a little, waiting to see- me. And I, without any paper to hide behind. Sidney, in these past two or three years, I have become better at writing than living- and think what you do to my writing” (159). nina_deichmann https://padlet.com/nina_deichmann/oehfzzee75cl/wish/344975805
Juliet is finally arriving in Guernsey to meet the members of the Literary Society, who she has been corresponding with for the past few months in order to write her article for the Times. Even though she has yet to meet them, Juliet feels she has formed a connection with the people of Guernsey through their shared love for literature and the letters she has been receiving telling of the stories of their lives. Juliet is nervous when she sees her new friends waiting for her arrival because she no longer has her pen and paper to hide behind, which have acted as her solace throughout the war. Her love for writing provided her with comfort and distraction during the Occupation and has now lead her to Guernsey where she is able to find happiness following the hard times. ]]> 2019-03-25 18:44:11 UTC https://padlet.com/nina_deichmann/oehfzzee75cl/wish/344975805 “Sea air, sunshine, green fields, wildflowers, the ever changing sky and ocean, and most of all, the people seem to have seduced her from City life" (194). nina_deichmann https://padlet.com/nina_deichmann/oehfzzee75cl/wish/344976457
When Sidney, Juliet’s publisher, decides to visit her, he writes to his sister Sophie telling her of Juliet’s happiness here in Guernsey among her new friends. He explains that before she left, Juliet appeared tired and worn from continuously having to attend teas and interviews. However, she is now back to her old self and appears to be the happiest she has been in a long time. Juliet has found happiness and comfort among her new friends, who she has formed a deep connection with based on their shared love for literature. The beautiful island and outgoing people have seduced Juliet from her old city life to the point where she may never return to London because she has found her true happiness. ]]> 2019-03-25 18:45:47 UTC https://padlet.com/nina_deichmann/oehfzzee75cl/wish/344976457 “Each day I learn something new about Elizabeth. How I wish I had known her myself! As I write, I catch myself thinking of her as a friend, remembering things she did as though I’d been there-- she's so full of life that I have to remind myself she’s dead, and then I feel the wrench of losing her again” (229). nina_deichmann https://padlet.com/nina_deichmann/oehfzzee75cl/wish/344977652
Even though Juliet has never met Elizabeth, through her writing, Juliet begins to feel as if they were close friends, and when she remembers Elizabeth’s death, she feels the pain of losing her. Juliet explains that she is constantly surrounded by Elizabeth’s presence through the stories she is told everyday about her life. When Juliet decides to write her book on the Occupation from Elizabeth's point of view, she is able to form an even stronger connection to Elizabeth through her writing. Juliet begins to find comfort in learning about new aspects of Elizabeth's life because she sees their similarities and knows they would have had a strong relationship. ]]> 2019-03-25 18:48:19 UTC https://padlet.com/nina_deichmann/oehfzzee75cl/wish/344977652 “That was how matters stood until Elizabeth came-- and made him be friends. Forced him, really, into the Literary Society. And then, Isola said, how he did blossom! Now he had books to talk about instead of swine fever-- and friends to talk with. The more he talked, says Isola, the less he stuttered” (232). nina_deichmann https://padlet.com/nina_deichmann/oehfzzee75cl/wish/344978446
Isola explains to Juliet that Dawsey experienced an extremely difficult childhood. His father died when he was young and his mother suffered from a mental illness, from which she later died as well. Dawsey was left to tend to the farm himself and had very few friends because of his shyness. Therefore, Elizabeth forced him to join the Literary Society. The Society acted as a distraction from his suffering and Dawsey was able to find comfort, especially through his new love for literature and Charles Lamb. He was able to break out of his shell and form a deep connection with the members of the Literary Society, who eventually became his new family.]]> 2019-03-25 18:49:47 UTC https://padlet.com/nina_deichmann/oehfzzee75cl/wish/344978446 “She was showing me her treasures, Sophie-- her eyes did not leave my face once. We were both so solemn, and I, for once, didn’t start crying; I just held out my arms. She climbed right into them, and under the covers with me-- and went sound asleep. Not me! I couldn’t. I was too happy planning the rest of our lives” (259). nina_deichmann https://padlet.com/nina_deichmann/oehfzzee75cl/wish/344978896
Juliet has come to form a strong bond with Kit, Elizabeth’s daughter, who Juliet has been caring for since she arrived in Guernsey. Juliet writes to tell Sophie that Kit decided to show her the contents of her treasure box, which she carries around with her but will let no one touch. The treasure box is filled with small items that used to belong to Elizabeth or Christian, Kit’s father. By showing Juliet her treasures, Kit is displaying that she too has formed a deep bond with Juliet and is beginning to see her as a motherly figure. If Juliet would not have formed a connection with the members of the Society through her writing, then she would not have traveled to Guernsey and fallen in love with Kit. Juliet finds comfort in Kit and wants to stay in Guernsey to care for her and grow closer to her new friends. ]]> 2019-03-25 18:50:34 UTC https://padlet.com/nina_deichmann/oehfzzee75cl/wish/344978896 “‘I’m in love with you, so I thought I’d ask” (272). nina_deichmann https://padlet.com/nina_deichmann/oehfzzee75cl/wish/344979123
In the end of the novel, after much confusion and doubt, Juliet realizes that she has feelings for Dawsey and that he is in love with her too, so she asks him to marry her. Throughout the novel, Juliet considers marrying Mark Reynolds because of his status and his outgoing attitude. However, she realizes that they do not have many common interests and by marrying him, he would simply suppress her and most likely end her career as a writer. On the other hand, she and Dawsey formed a connection through their common interest in literature, and he would, therefore, help her to grow and develop as a writer. The Society is what brought Juliet and Dawsey together and allowed them to find comfort in one another. ]]> 2019-03-25 18:51:07 UTC https://padlet.com/nina_deichmann/oehfzzee75cl/wish/344979123