Pigs and Prejudice: L.M. Montgomery’s Short Story, ‘Them Notorious Pigs’

A man tends the Orwell Corner Historic Garden on Prince Edward Island, where L.M. Montgomery set many of her books and short stories. Buddha Dog/CC BY-SA 2.0

In L.M. Montgomery’s short story, “Them Notorious Pigs,” when Perry Hayden and his family move next to John Harrington, Harrington pays little attention to them. For he is a rather unsociable, contented, woman-hater who loves living by himself on his farm. Yet things change when poor Perry Hayden dies, leaving his widow to tend the farm and her two young boys alone.

Pig Problems

The difficulty begins when Mrs. Hayden’s 14 pigs get into Harrington’s newly planted garden. Harrington is furious at finding the ravenous pigs rooting in his garden, yet he merely sends them back to Mrs. Hayden, understanding this to be the first offense.

Yet three days later, Harrington finds the pigs back in his garden. Angry and thinking rather prejudiced thoughts against women farmers, he sends the pigs back to Mrs. Hayden. He also sends a message asking her to kindly keep her pigs off his land.

Mrs. Hayden responds with a sincere apology. Moreover, she promises that they will never get out again. Assured by her promises, Harrington rests easily.

However, Mrs. Hayden’s promises don’t prevent “them notorious pigs” from breaking into Harrington’s garden again a week later. This time Harrington decides to take matters into his own hands and journeys up to Mrs. Hayden’s farm.

The Gloucestershire Old Spot Pigs at the Byrkley Garden Centre enjoy their life outdoors. Anthony Parkes/CC BY-SA 2.0

Harrington approaches Mrs. Hayden and tells her that he can’t stand her pigs anymore. He fervently says: “I am speaking my mind plainly, madam. If you can’t keep your stock from being a nuisance to other people you ought not to try to run a farm at all.”

Mrs. Hayden bursts into tears. Feeling rather sorry for his words and confused with her crying, he awkwardly apologizes: “I didn’t mean—well, I suppose I spoke too strongly. Of course I know you didn’t mean to let the pigs in. There, do stop crying! I beg your pardon if I’ve hurt your feelings.”

Past Prejudice

Harrington heads home feeling rather confused, sorry, and concerned that the pretty Mrs. Hayden will think that he’s just a cross man. As the days pass without any commotion, Harrington wishes that the pigs would break in, so that he can prove to the sweet Mrs. Hayden that he is nice and restrained. His prejudices begin to fade.

In an effort to win her favor, he even sends some greens to her and her two sons. When she responds with kind thanks, Harrington lights up, pleased that she appreciates his gift.

Nevertheless, Harrington soon finds his wish coming true. One day, as he looks out his window, he sees not only a pig walking into his garden, but also the beautiful Mrs. Hayden running after it.

He hurries outside to help her catch the pig, yet he discovers that he can’t focus on it. His mind becomes preoccupied with Mrs. Hayden.

Strawberries play a romantic role in this tale by L.M. Montgomery. George Chernilevsky/CC BY-SA 4.0

Through this story, Montgomery demonstrates not only the power of love, but also the need for change, especially when it comes to prejudices. Prejudice prevents the true value of others from shining through. On the other hand, love can slowly break away harsh prejudices to reveal the true character and beauty of them.

Just as Jane Austen wrote in “Pride and Prejudice”: “I cannot fix on the hour, or the spot, or the look or the words, which laid the foundation. It is too long ago. I was in the middle before I knew that I had begun.” With gradual steps, love leads us out of the labyrinth of prejudices and reveals to us a far more beautiful world.

What arts and culture topics would you like us to cover? Please email ideas or feedback to [email protected]