"Pie" Characters Analysis

List of Characters

Role Identification

In the book "Pie" by Sarah Weeks, the main character, Alice Anderson, takes on the role of the protagonist. She is accompanied by several supporting characters, including her Aunt Polly, Mr. Mulligan, Lardo, Ms. Malloy, Grandma Anderson, and Mrs. Ebbel.

Character Descriptions

Alice Anderson

Alice Anderson is a twelve-year-old girl with a passion for baking. She is described as determined and resourceful. Alice has vibrant red hair and freckles, which adds to her unique appearance. She is also known for her kind and caring nature.

Aunt Polly

Aunt Polly is Alice's kind-hearted and supportive aunt. She is a talented baker and owns the local bakery where Alice spends most of her time. Aunt Polly is described as warm and nurturing, always ready to offer a helping hand.

Mr. Mulligan

Mr. Mulligan is a grumpy neighbor who lives next door to Alice. He often complains about the noise and mess created by Alice's baking experiments. Despite his initial gruff demeanor, Mr. Mulligan has a hidden soft spot for pie.

Lardo

Lardo is Alice's lovable pet pig. He is a constant companion to Alice and often gets involved in her baking adventures. Lardo is described as playful and mischievous, adding a touch of humor to the story.

Ms. Malloy

Ms. Malloy is a journalist from the local newspaper who takes an interest in Alice's baking skills. She is described as curious and determined, always looking for a good story. Ms. Malloy becomes an important character in Alice's journey.

Grandma Anderson

Grandma Anderson is Alice's wise and supportive grandmother. She has a wealth of baking knowledge and often shares her wisdom with Alice. Grandma Anderson is depicted as loving and patient, providing guidance and encouragement.

Mrs. Ebbel

Mrs. Ebbel is a mysterious and eccentric elderly woman who lives in Alice's neighborhood. She is known for her secret pie recipe and becomes a significant influence on Alice's baking journey. Mrs. Ebbel is described as enigmatic and intriguing.

Character Traits

Alice Anderson

• Determined: Alice is driven to improve her baking skills and achieve her goals.
• Resourceful: She finds creative solutions to overcome challenges she encounters in her baking journey.
• Kind-hearted: Alice is caring and considerate towards others, always willing to help.

Aunt Polly

• Kind-hearted: Aunt Polly is compassionate and supportive towards Alice and others.
• Talented: She is a skilled baker and imparts her knowledge to Alice.

Mr. Mulligan

• Grumpy: Mr. Mulligan initially appears grouchy and easily annoyed.
• Soft-hearted: He develops a fondness for pie and becomes a surprising ally to Alice.

Lardo

• Playful: Lardo loves to have fun and often brings joy to Alice's life.
• Mischievous: He sometimes gets into trouble but is ultimately a loyal companion.

Ms. Malloy

• Curious: Ms. Malloy is always seeking interesting stories and ventures.
• Determined: She is persistent in her pursuit of uncovering Alice's baking talents.

Grandma Anderson

• Wise: Grandma Anderson possesses a wealth of baking knowledge and imparts valuable advice to Alice.
• Patient: She is understanding and supports Alice through her baking journey.

Mrs. Ebbel

• Mysterious: Mrs. Ebbel's background and secret pie recipe add an air of mystery to her character.
• Intriguing: She captivates Alice's attention and becomes an important figure in her baking adventure.

Character Background

Alice Anderson

Alice comes from a loving and supportive family. She has always had a passion for baking and spends much of her time helping her Aunt Polly at the bakery. Alice's determination and love for baking drive her to improve her skills and pursue her dreams.

Aunt Polly

Aunt Polly inherited the family bakery and has been running it for many years. She is a mentor and role model for Alice, sharing her baking knowledge and encouraging her niece to follow her passion.

Mr. Mulligan

Mr. Mulligan is a loner who lives next door to Alice. He has a reputation for being grumpy and unsociable. However, as the story progresses, his true character is revealed, and he becomes an unexpected ally to Alice.

Lardo

Lardo is a unique companion to Alice. He was initially a stray pig that Alice adopted and named. Lardo brings joy and laughter to Alice's life, often getting involved in her baking adventures.

Ms. Malloy

Ms. Malloy is a journalist who stumbles upon Alice's baking skills and decides to feature her in the local newspaper. Her curiosity and determination to uncover Alice's talent lead her to become a significant part of Alice's journey.

Grandma Anderson

Grandma Anderson has a rich baking history and shares her knowledge and family recipes with Alice. She provides guidance and support as Alice navigates her baking journey.

Mrs. Ebbel

Mrs. Ebbel is an intriguing character who lives in Alice's neighborhood. She is known for her secret pie recipe, which captivates Alice's curiosity. Mrs. Ebbel becomes a mentor to Alice, teaching her the art of pie-making.

Character Arcs

Alice Anderson

Alice's character arc revolves around her passion for baking and her journey to becoming a skilled pie-maker. Initially, she is enthusiastic but lacking in technical knowledge. Throughout the story, Alice faces challenges and overcomes them with determination, resourcefulness, and the guidance of her supportive family and friends.

Aunt Polly

Aunt Polly's role is to guide and support Alice in her baking journey. She encourages Alice to explore her passion and shares her baking expertise. Aunt Polly's character arc focuses on her nurturing nature and her belief in Alice's abilities.

Mr. Mulligan

Mr. Mulligan undergoes a transformation from a grumpy neighbor to a supportive ally. Through his interactions with Alice and her delicious pies, he discovers a love for baking and develops a softer side.

Lardo

Lardo's character arc is centered around his mischievous nature and his unwavering loyalty to Alice. He brings joy and laughter to Alice's life and becomes an integral part of her baking adventures.

Ms. Malloy

Ms. Malloy's character arc revolves around her curiosity and determination to uncover Alice's talent. She plays a crucial role in showcasing Alice's baking skills to the community and helping her gain recognition.

Grandma Anderson

Grandma Anderson's character arc focuses on her role as a mentor and teacher to Alice. She imparts her baking wisdom and family recipes to Alice, guiding her in her journey to becoming a skilled pie-maker.

Mrs. Ebbel

Mrs. Ebbel's character arc revolves around her mysterious and enigmatic nature. She becomes a mentor to Alice, teaching her the secrets of pie-making and helping her discover her own potential.

Relationships

Alice and Aunt Polly

Alice and Aunt Polly share a close bond. Aunt Polly serves as a mentor and role model to Alice, nurturing her passion for baking and supporting her throughout her journey.

Alice and Mr. Mulligan

Alice and Mr. Mulligan start off with a strained relationship due to his grumpy nature. However, as Alice's baking skills bring joy into his life, they develop a unique bond and become unexpected friends.

Alice and Lardo

Alice and Lardo share a special bond. Lardo is always by Alice's side, providing companionship and adding a touch of humor to her baking adventures.

Alice and Ms. Malloy

Alice and Ms. Malloy develop a professional relationship as Ms. Malloy discovers and supports Alice's baking talent. Ms. Malloy becomes a mentor figure for Alice, guiding her through the process of showcasing her skills to the community.

Alice and Grandma Anderson

Alice and Grandma Anderson share a loving and supportive relationship. Grandma Anderson serves as a wise mentor, passing down her baking knowledge and family recipes to Alice.

Alice and Mrs. Ebbel

Alice and Mrs. Ebbel's relationship evolves from curiosity to mentorship. Mrs. Ebbel becomes an influential figure in Alice's journey, teaching her the secrets of pie-making and helping her discover her potential.

In conclusion, "Pie" by Sarah Weeks introduces a diverse cast of characters with unique traits and backgrounds. Through their interactions and relationships, the characters contribute to Alice's character development and her pursuit of her passion for baking. The story explores themes of determination, resourcefulness, and the importance of supportive relationships in achieving one's goals.