Enjoy the humorous play “The Pie and the Tart” by Hugh Chesterman, where two clever beggars use wit and trickery to outsmart a bad-tempered cook. A delightful blend of comedy, irony, and street-smart survival in medieval France.
The Pie and the Tart Notes By Hugh Chesterman
Summary of The Pie And the Tart By Hugh Chesterman
Introduction
‘The Pie and the Tart’ is an English one-act play set in a French setting, which tells the funny story of two poor but clever beggars. This one-act play not only entertains but also highlights the ironies of society where hunger, cunningness, and social behavior collide with each other. In this play, Hugh Chesterman has exposed the serious reality through light humor.
Character Introduction
Pierre – A clever, talkative and scheming beggar. He is adept at finding a way out even in adverse circumstances.
Jean – Pierre’s companion, naive but honest and obedient.
Madame Poppino – An arrogant, irritable and anti-poor woman who owns a bakery.
Mr. Popino – her simple and suppressed husband.
Detailed summary of the story
✦ Opening scene
Two beggars – Pierre and Jean – are roaming the streets of France, suffering from hunger. They have no money, no food and no hope. They beg outside shops and houses, but are rejected everywhere. Their minds are not working due to hunger, but Pierre still does not give up.
✦ Birth of a cunning plan
Pierre thinks of a trick. He knows that Madame Popino makes very tasty pies and tarts. But she despises the poor and does not even like to look at them. Pierre plans that Jean should introduce himself as her servant and lie that Mr. Popino has ordered pies and tarts.
✦ Execution of the plan
Jean is very nervous but agrees on Pierre’s insistence. He goes to Madame Poppino’s house, bows his head and says politely –
“Madame, my master has said that he will not be able to come home today. Please give me the pie and tart.”
Madame is initially suspicious, but seeing Jean’s simplicity and confidence, she agrees. She hands him the pie and tart without questioning. The plan succeeds.
✦ Celebration and satire
Pierre and Jean happily sit in a corner and start eating. They joke, laugh and feel proud of their cleverness. For them it has become not just food, but a symbol of victory.
✦ Scene from the other side
At home, Mr. Poppino returns. Madame Poppino proudly tells him that she gave the pie and tart to the servant. But Mr. Poppino is shocked – “I did not send anyone!”
Now Madame understands that she has been deceived. She turns red with anger and says –
“I will teach them a lesson!”
✦ End
While Pierre and Jean are happily eating their food, they see Madame Poppino running towards them from a distance. Both run away in fear.
Pierre smiles and says –
“A little running is in order for a pie and a tart!”
Analysis of the play
Themes
Hunger and the compulsion to survive – This play shows how hunger can make a person do anything.
Cleverness vs. stupidity – Pierre’s clever plan and Madame’s stupidity are the main sources of humor.
Social discrimination – The behavior between the rich and the poor, Madame’s pride and the mistreatment of beggars are satirized.
Question on morality – Is it right to lie if it is just to fill the stomach?
Style & Structure
This play, written in the form of a one-act play, is extremely impressive despite limited characters and places.
The dialogues are simple, relevant and full of humor.
The characters seem alive – especially Pierre’s confidence and Jean’s innocence.
Moral Lessons
Hunger and helplessness can sometimes make a person lie and cheat.
Smartness and confidence can help you win in any situation.
Society should not look down upon the poor, because they are no less intelligent and smart than anyone else.
Humor can be the most effective means of exposing serious truths.
Important Questions and Answers (Q&A)
Q1: How is humor generated in this play?
Ans: Humor is mainly generated by the cunningness of Pierre and Jean, Madame’s stupidity, and the sarcasm present in the dialogues.
Q2: Does this play also give a social message?
Ans: Yes, this play makes a sharp but funny comment on the struggle of the poor, social discrimination, and the limits of morality.
Q3: What is the character of Madame Poppino like?
Answer: She is arrogant, irritable and anti-poor. But this weakness of hers leads to her being betrayed in the end.
Q4: What was the main reason for Pierre and Jean’s success?
Answer: Their confidence, teamwork, and timely execution of the plan.
Specialty of the author
The special thing about Hugh Chesterman’s writing is that he presents serious subjects to the audience in a light humorous way. His play makes the readers think while making them laugh.
Conclusion
The Pie and the Tart is not just an entertaining one-act play, but it is a reflection of hunger, cleverness, and the mentality of society. Hugh Chesterman has shown in a very simple and funny style that poverty is not a crime, but a result of circumstances. This play has social and moral questions dipped in the syrup of humor, which makes it a classic.
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English 
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