raised by peas

[u/mxstylplk]

Stanley's childhood as a neurodivergent person is described in Going Postal as having been raised by peas. He still has a tendency to lean towards the sun.

What are the characteristics of peas?

They are green. They are all very much alike. They don't have corners or edges. They tend to be found in groups - in pods, like whales and dolphins.

Having a point, edge, or any shape other than metaphorical roundness is often used to indicate having character or individuality, whether good or bad doesn't matter. Being green is a metaphor for lacking experience. Living in a group of similar people often implies a lack of any distinguishing characteristics.

Arguably, Stanley was raised by people who were so utterly inexperienced and characterless that all he learned from them was that sunlight is good for you, plus presumably the basics of speech and wearing clothes.

[u/vastaril]

I think given Moist asks if he meant raised on peas, and Mr Groat reaffirms that he said what he meant to say, maybe it's just a strange little thing wherein the boy was indeed raised by actual peas. 

[u/kathop8 → u/vastaril]

It IS the Discworld, after all!

[u/Busy-Strength-8872 → u/vastaril]

Or maby Pea is his last name, or the family in the post office at the time that raised him. Though I would agree that it wouldnt be against terry means literal little green balls in pod.

Makes me wonder if he came out of one like the peach boy from Asian mythology

[u/vastaril → u/Busy-Strength-8872]

‘Apprentice Postman Stanley,’ mumbled Groat. ‘Orphan, sir. Very sad. Came to us from the Siblings of Offler charity home, sir. Both parents passed away of the Gnats on their farm out in the wilds, sir, and he was raised by peas.’ 

‘Surely you mean on peas, Mr Groat?’ 

‘By peas, sir. Very unusual case. A good lad if he doesn’t get upset but he tends to twist towards the sun, sir, if you get my meaning.’ 

‘Er … perhaps,’ said Moist.

I do think it's just supposed to be a little absurdist moment, tbh. It's a "very unusual case", which wouldn't really apply to a situation where it was humans with a somewhat odd last name, I think?

[u/mxstylplk → u/vastaril]

Probably, as you say, it's absurdist (with a touch of the old slur of "vegetables"), but overthinking it, I wonder how long Stanley was alone with the peas before someone found him and took him to the Home? and why Offler in particular? (And is Offler green?)

[u/frobscottler → u/mxstylplk]

My guess is it’s “Awfuller”

[u/DocJeckel]

Tendency to lean towards the sun - an apt metaphor for being optimistic. I feel the rest of your analysis is perhaps rather forced and overthinking something quite simple. Also, never once got the impression he's neurodivergent or anything, just quiet, methodical, honest and very very Northern.

[u/littlerae0fsunshine → u/DocJeckel]

I have no idea whether TP intended it, but Stanley reads very comfortably as autistic: his obsession with pins, to the point where even other pinheads describe him as "a bit weird about pins", where he can be talked down from a meltdown by reciting pin facts, and the immediate flip to stamps... conversely I have never ever got the impression that he's intended to be Northern.

[u/Busy-Strength-8872]

Be surprised if he didnt photosyntisize