Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society Final Exam Zephyr Smith
6. I think that I can neither agree or disagree with Isola on weather “reading good books ruins you for enjoying bad ones”, because it is all dependent on your opinion of a good book. Every person has a different opinion on what a good book is. There are so many different types and genres, that for each person a good book is something completely different. Some people may like a book that you consider a “bad book”. In my opinion there are only books that you like and books that you don’t like. There are no good or bad books. For Isola, she probably got used to a certain style of book that she liked, which became her version of a “good book”. Her “bad books” were everything that she didn’t like.
3. My favorite character from the Society was Isola, because she was so different from everyone else, or even the popular view of a normal person. Isola had a somewhat different occupation from others in the society, being a potion maker. She didn’t do something that you hear of a lot in the time period that she lived. It was interesting to hear about what she did. She also has a very direct voice. Isola was never trying to hide her feelings or thoughts from anyone except when she was spying on them. When writing to Juliet she said that she wanted to ask personal questions and that her friends had recommended she didn’t. Most people would probably try to hide the fact they were asking something personal and wouldn’t mention that they were told it wasn’t a good idea. She also took everyone and everything very seriously. When she was sent the book about phrenology it was kind of a joke to everyone else, except Isola, who took it seriously. When she began her spying she actually took notes and tried to accomplish a mission. Isola was also a very honest and caring person. She seemed to take a liking to everyone very quickly. She always wanted to make people happy. She didn’t think less of anyone because they were different, like Sidney. She even made sure to keep his secret safe. Isola is a generally kind person and would be great to know.
1. I really liked how the novel was structured in letters. It was something I’ve never read before. I was amazed how it didn’t feel like there were gaps in the story. The letters also gave a more precise feeling of each person personality. It was also pleasurable just because it was different. It probably wouldn’t be as great if it were a common thing though. Letters are much more personal than other forms of writing. Each person has their own different style of writing letters and it gives an insight onto their personality. Letters are much deeper than other forms of writing as well. People put much more meaning into them. Most other forms of writing are meant to be fast and don’t allow much deep thought to be present in them. Letters let people say what they mean in a much more deep and personal way then other forms of writing.
