A Snicker of Magic

The ever-presence of ice cream in Midnight Gulch symbolizes the love, friendship, and interpersonal connections of the townspeople. Ice cream as a symbol of love is introduced during Oliver Weatherly’s story about Eldee Mae. Oliver and Eldee bought and restored the ice cream factory after they married. Oliver says they “started leaving free cartons of ice cream for people” (93), which eventually evolved into greater anonymous acts of kindness under the Beedle moniker. Ice cream was a gateway for Oliver and Eldee Mae to share their love and kindness with the rest of the town. The roots of ice cream as a symbol of love go even further back when Oliver tells the story of the Honeycutts, who originally established the factory. Abigail and Lionel Honeycutt built Dr. Zook’s Famous Ice Cream Factory not long after their son, Burl, was born, and took the name “from a bedtime story Abigail made up for Burl” (229). The Honeycutts also created the Blackberry Sunrise ice cream flavor out of love for their son. When Burl expressed being the happiest he’s ever been during one of their family trips to Snapdragon Pond, “as a gift, Abigail mixed that memory into the ice-cream recipe. Every time Burl tasted it, he remembered that morning” (230). Both the establishment and the return of Dr. Zook’s ice cream factory came as acts of love, showing how ice cream symbolizes love.

Throughout the book, ice cream is used to connect people and build bonds. Many moments between Jonah and Felicity occur over shared pints of ice cream, showing how the sharing of this treat builds their friendship. Each time Jonah and Felicity hear stories about the town’s history, ice cream is present. They share ice cream while Oliver talks about meeting Stone Weatherly and while Oliver tells the story of the Honeycutts. Jonah also brings ice cream to Florentine before she tells them her story. Jonah and Oliver Weatherly use ice cream as a way of connecting to the people around them, both as themselves and as the Beedle. In Chapter 7, when Felicity’s family returns from church, they find gifts from the Beedle, welcoming them to town. These gifts include a coloring book for Frannie, dog treats for Biscuit, and “a giant carton of Dr. Zook’s called Hannah Banana Coconut. All three presents were tied up with a red ribbon” (63). These gifts bring a smile to Mama’s face, which Felicity acknowledges is rare these days. The gift of ice cream shortly after the arrival of Felicity’s family in Midnight Gulch symbolizes an extension of friendship from the town to the family. Oliver uses ice cream to maintain his friendships with the people of Midnight Gulch. In Chapter 16, Oliver arrives at Jonah’s mother’s shop with “free ice cream for everybody” (181), resulting in a warm reception from the clients and workers alike. Oliver also “invited us all to his house for Charlie Sue’s chocolate pancakes and a side of Blackberry Sunrise” in the final chapter. Oliver’s generous distribution of ice cream allows him to show his love for his town and maintain interpersonal connections.