In this excerpt from the fictional novel The Guernsey, Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, Mary

Anne Shaffer creates a personal, informal tone for the reader through her use of first person
narrative style. This extract takes the form of a personal letter between friends, as Juliet writes to
Sidney on the 28
th
of January, 1946 about Rob Darry and why [they] didnt marry. In this form
Shaffer positions the reader to follow the internal thought processes experienced by Juliet and
provides insight into her relationships with both Sidney and Rob. Shaffer juxtaposes opposing
symbols in order to convey the differences between Rob and Juliet. However, overall Shaffer alludes
to inflexibility and lack of compromise to be the cause of the futile relationship.
The characterisation of Juliet is developed throughout this extract as the form of the letter unfolds.
At the beginning of the excerpt Juliet speaks in short declamatory sentences with, Yes, dinner with
pleasure. Ill wear my new dress creating a direct tone as she responds to questions one can
assume she received in a letter from Sidney. The inclusion of the simile eat like a pig also further
emphasises Juliets matter of fact voice however, it also alludes to a strong friendship between
Sidney and Juliet, as she feels comfortable writing in an informal and relaxed way. As the opening of
the extract progresses, this direct tone continues as Juliet explains that she would rather look like a
feckless, flighty, cold-hearted bitch than make Rob look like a fool. Shaffer uses the listing of self-
depreciating adjectives to cause the reader to perceive Juliet as selfless and blunt, however, the
exaggerated listing nature of the words suggests Juliet is insincere and instead orienting Sidney and
ultimately the reader to view her as the victim in her relationship with Rob.
As the letter progresses, there is a shift in tone as Juliet begins to narrate the actions which lead to
the end of her engagement with Rob.
Throughout this passage symbols are used by Shaffer in order to show the characterisation of both
Juliet and Rob. The symbolism of wood is used by Shaffer in order to depict Rob as impractical and
inflexible as padded hangers are replaced by Juliet with heavy wooden [hangers] in preparation
for sharing her home with Rob while the pastimes enjoyed by Rob include every game that could
possibly be played with a wooden object further reiterating the symbol of wood to describe Robs
uncompromising nature. Shaffer also includes Robs athletic trophies as a symbol of his masculinity
and lack of modesty as he chooses to fill every single shelf with silver cups, gold cups, blue
rosettes, red ribbons. In contrast to this inflexible and competitive symbolism, Juliet is aligned with
the soft and practical symbol of padded hangers, an innocent childhood toy of a golliwog and
eight boxes of books which are often perceived as symbols of intelligence. Shaffer juxtaposes
these opposing symbols throughout the excerpt to dictate the opposing personalities of both Rob
and Juliet and to position the reader to view Rob in a more negative light.