Top 5 examples of Pies in Popular Literature
Pies have been a part of popular culture here in the UK for many centuries. It's therefore of little surprise to find that there are many literary examples that feature pies in various contexts.
Read on to discover 5 of the best and most interesting pie stories in popular literature.
- Little Jack Horner. Okay, so this one might be a nursery rhyme, but it’s certainly one that many of us will know! And if you don’t, this is how it goes:
“Little Jack Horner
Sat in the corner,
Eating a Christmas pie;
He put in his thumb,
And pulled out a plum,
And said ‘What a good boy am I.”
This rhyme originated in the 18th Century and has been associated with everything from opportunism in politics, to greediness and dishonesty.
- Charlie and The Chocolate Factory. In the famous story written by Roald Dahl, the character Violet Beauregarde ignores Wonka’s requests for her to resist his newest creation: a chewing gum that magically transforms into a full three-course meal in your mouth. When she tries it, she enjoys the flavours of a three course meal in her mouth, the last course being a Blueberry Pie. She then turns into a giant blueberry!
- The Railway Children. In this instance, it’s pie for breakfast! Something we certainly approve of here at Yorkshire Handmade Pies (although, we’re sure that most of our customers opt to enjoy their pies at Lunch or Dinnertime). Here’s what happens in the book:
“Pie for breakfast!” cried Peter; “how perfectly ripping!”
“It isn’t pigeon-pie,” said Mother; “it’s only apple. Well, this is the supper we ought to have had last night. And there was a note from Mrs. Viney. Her son-in-law has broken his arm, and she had to get home early. She’s coming this morning at ten.”
That was a wonderful breakfast. It is unusual to begin the day with cold apple pie, but the children all said they would rather have it than meat.
- The Tale of the Pie and the Patty-Pan. A children's book written and illustrated by Beatrix Potter, published in 1905. The story refers to a cat called Ribby and a tea party she holds for a dog called Duchess. Complications arise when Duchess tries to replace Ribby's mouse pie with her own veal and ham pie, and then believes she has swallowed a small tin pastry form called a patty-pan. Luckily, we agree with Duchess, that mice do not belong in pies!
- Titus Andronicus. Could we really discuss famous literature without mentioning the great William Shakespeare? This one is a little dark, however, as The Roman general Titus Andronicus returns from war with four prisoners who vow to take revenge against him. They abuse Titus' daughter and have his sons killed and banished. Titus then kills two of the prisoners and cooks them into a pie, which he serves to their mother before killing her too… We warned you it was dark!
So, there you have it, 5 pies from famous literature! We personally think that our pies sound a little more appetising than some of these, however!