Pie

The setting of Pie, as depicted by the author, is the imaginary tiny village of Ipswitch in an unidentified part of Pennsylvania. The community has only 162 citizens, implying that almost all the residents know one another. When Charlie identifies himself to Mayor Needleman, the mayor immediately acknowledges knowing his parents. The other aspect of this familiarity is that strangers stand out. Attendees of Polly’s funeral quickly realize it when an unknown woman bends over the casket and then exits the chapel against the flow of the crowd.

Weeks demonstrates that the village is not only emotionally closely bound but also that their economic possibilities are tightly yoked as well. Residents understand that the death of the famous pie maker who brought Ipswitch national fame—and lots of business—means the financial well-being of the entire community is uncertain. As if to capture the magic of Polly’s baking gift, almost four dozen households launch into pie making. As the author notes, some of these efforts result in epic failures. There is a shared awareness that no one will succeed in replicating Polly’s success without her still-concealed crust recipe.

Another element that the author touches upon is the potential role of the eccentric person in small-town life. Weeks portrays three Ipswitch women who stand outside the anticipated norms, each dealing with her uniqueness differently. Unabashed, Polly embodies total altruism, freely bestowing perfect pies upon anyone who will accept them. Villagers accept her benevolence, even though many—including her sister—think she is “crazy” (9). Miss Gurke secretly works her body into a mass of finely developed muscle, hoping she will one day set a new standard for the ideal woman. Melanie Needleman harbors powerful political ambitions, which she channels through her husband’s mayoralty.