The Lager Queen of Minnesota

Helen Blotz’s blackberry pie represents Edith Magnusson and Helen’s differences in principles and how those dissimilarities influence their relationship dynamic. The award-winning pie created by both Helen and Edith highlights Edith’s warmhearted, fair nature. After winning a ribbon at the fair for a pie she baked using her sister’s berries and crust, Edith cuts the ribbon in half to share the win. Helen thinks, “As weird and boring as her sister could be, she was so kind and thoughtful. But Helen also knew right then it would’ve never occurred to her to halve a ribbon she won, were she to win one” (133). Helen does not feel obligated to reciprocate her sister’s kindness, and she feels disappointed that the pie won second place, not first. Helen’s ambition makes her greedy, and her desire for success causes Helen to deprioritize her family members, as further evidenced by Helen’s claim over the family inheritance. Helen’s avarice hurts Edith, not only emotionally, but at various moments when the $20,000 Helen deprived her of would have significantly improved her quality of life.

Helen’s ambition also drives a wedge between her and her mother. When Mrs. Calder prevents Helen from entering her blackberry pie into the competition so Edith can compete, “Helen knew right then that her aspirations would have a mortal enemy, right there under the same roof.