The Benefits of Literature in The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society

            Have you ever heard of Guernsey? Guernsey is a British crown dependency island and a part of the English Channel Islands; it is located between England and France. Guernsey was occupied by Germany for 5 years, from 30 June 1940 until liberation on 9 May 1945. Although Adolf Hitler claimed the Germans were capable to rule without violence, living under the Germans occupation was tough. The people of Guernsey had to live their days with a strict curfew, they couldn't speak freely, and also suffered from hunger. A novel called The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society by Marry Ann Shaffer and Anne Barrows strips down on how literature could be a way to survive such situation that was happening in Guernsey.

             According to Oxford English Dictionary, literature means pieces of writing that are valued as works of art, especially novels, plays, and poems (in contrast to technical books and newspapers, magazines, etc.). Based on The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society novel, Guernsey residents took advantage of literature to “escape”. To be specific, the story took place in Saint Martin, Guernsey. It started when the Germans set a curfew during their occupation. Locals had to be home by 8 o’clock back then. Aside from the curfew, eating meat was also a luxury in those days. The Germans prohibited the villagers from keeping the livestock animals that have been raised, they had to give their livestock to the Germans.

            Eventually, the villager of Saint Martin decided to violate the rules that could get them into a prison camp. Mrs. Maugery desperately wanted to eat her pig (the pig was hidden neatly from the Germans). She invited her neighbors and made a dinner party. With the talking and the eating, the participants of Mrs. Maugery’s dinner party forgot their curfew and were an hour late. The Germans caught them on their way home together with an intimidating interrogation. Luckily, charming Elizabeth came to the rescue and said they lost track of time discussing Elizabeth and Her German Garden by Elizabeth von Arnim. The Germans came to check Mrs. Maugery’s house and found books along with leftover mashed potatoes. Thus, The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society was born. For some reason, the Germans encouraged their occupied people to explore arts and literature. At first, the books were just a way to cover their feast but soon enough, the residents of Les Vauxlarens street truly read the books and were discussing it together every night.

            The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society stated quite many examples of literature. Wartime cartoons in 1944 Punch magazine helped Dawsey Adams find humor in the current bleak situation. Dawsey also admired Charles Lamb and was able to learn about Lamb’s life. Selections from Shakespeare inspired Eben Ramsey to confess his love with a poem, The Letters of Seneca: Translated from Latin in One Volume, with Appendix saved John Booker from the direful life of a drunk. Miss Isola Pribby idolized Charlotte and Emily Bronte, the classic from the two sisters shaped Isola to have a critical mind. LePell, the dressmaker, founded inspiration from fashion magazines. Literature benefited them to possess a broader perspective and had insight into the outside world. The Guernseys revealed that they did not have the opportunity to know what was going on outside their island. On top of that, arts strengthened the relationship of the Les Vauxlarens neighborhood. They killed time with reading, analyzing classic works, and debating about their favorite novels. Books and writings made them cherish as well as appreciate one another.

            All in all, literature has many benefits. As stated before, arts and literature could strengthen a relationship and could make people cherish as well as appreciate one another. It is still the same whether in wartime or nowadays. That is why literature is the most important discovery of all time. By reading books, short stories, or articles, we can learn about anything such as cultural knowledge along with historical events. We can also achieve higher-level thinking skills with reading. In addition, literature is extremely entertaining as well. We can use literature to “escape”.

References

Barrows, A., & Shaffer-Ann, M. (2008). The guernsey literary and potato peel pie society. The Dial Press.