I’ve just finished the novel, and there was a thought I had that I couldn’t find discussed after a few Google searches. Some spoilers follow in order to ask my question.
So, throughout the narrative, we know the protagonist as Piglet. We are aware this is a pet name for her that was bestowed by her family and has many layers of meaning due to her character and struggle. “Piglet” is so much her identity, we don’t get the protagonist’s actual name until the novel’s conclusion: Pippa. This is what her soon-to-be ex-husband calls her in a “bittersweet” farewell.
My question: what if Pippa is the actual pet name everyone has been calling her throughout the novel and her critical feelings have changed her interpretation of the pet name to Piglet?
Reasons for asking:
1. Pippa can be short off Philippa or Penelope.
2. While she’s called Piglet and Pig, Pippa and Pip are conceivable “true” utterances vs what I’m asking might have been her interpretation.
3. We’re privy to her harsh internal criticism and even see it played out in hallucinating what someone is actually saying to her when, I believe, she interacts with the waitress of the chicken sandwich restaurant.
I’m not necessarily convinced the narration bas been misrepresenting Piglet’s actual nickname throughout the novel, but I think it’s congruent with some of the text and themes. That said, her real name could just be Pippa!
Figured I’d ask what someone else thought!
by 1amliterature