Never has the phrase ‘you are what you eat’ been more accurate than when describing the characters of classic literature. Food impart can have a powerful influence over the people we meet in the pages of novels, and can reveal a great deal about their values, station in life, and personality. Whether it’s the varied feasts enjoyed in the great halls of Medieval England, or the rationed treats of wartime rationing in 20th century Britain, a literary feast can provide fascinating insight into the development and behaviour of beloved characters. Join us as we explore the role of food in classic novels!
1. Food Glorified in Classic Literature
J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lembas
Throughout literary history, there have been miracles of food that burst onto the page and captivate the reader with its deliciousness. One example of this is Tolkien’s Lembas in The Lord of the Rings. The Elves of Middle Earth created this delightful treat, and it was so powerful it could sustain travelers for days on end. Lembas was made of a honey-cake, with a texture like a mixture between a tart and a biscuit, and a sensational smell that filled the air whenever it was opened.
Charles Dickens’s Exotic Dishes
In Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol, he often glorified food. From the traditional roast beef, to exotic dishes such as Lobster Salad, and Pea Soup. Dickens also incorporated childhood favourites such as Milk and Gingerbread Cakes. This combination of food established a unique and spellbinding atmosphere heightened by Dickens’s descriptions of the tastes and smells tickling the taste buds of Scrooge.
Harper Lee’s Ginger Ale and Pigs Feet
In Harper Lee’s book, To Kill a Mockingbird, the characters ate some very unusual delicacies. Atticus Finch, the protagonist’s father, was said to have made his children sardines sandwiches and ginger ale for breakfast. The family also dined on pork chops, pickles, slaw, cornbread, and of course, pigs feet.
Ernest Hemingway’s Drinks and Tapas
Ernest Hemingway’s The Sun Also Rises is filled with descriptions of food and drinks. He writes of night time dinners of tapas and pitchers of Sangria being enjoyed on warm, Spanish evenings. Hemingway also writes of meals of salt cod, a traditional Basque meal, being consumed with glasses of Rioja.
Orhan Pamuk’s Street Delights
In Snow by Orhan Pamuk, readers get a peek into the delights of Turkish streetlife. From the fragrant kokoreç grilled on a skewer over a hot coal fire, to the creamy baklava sundaes that sweeten the air. This novel provides a glimpse into the cultural richness of Istanbul, with vibrant descriptions of street food that tantalize the taste buds and awaken the imagination.
Roald Dahl’s Chocolates and Candy
Childhood favourites such as chocolates and candy also feature heavily in the classic literature of Roald Dahl. His books; including Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, The BFG and more, all demonstrate the joy and power of these sweet treats. Dahl highlights the importance of these treats to both children and adults, and how they can be magical in their own ways.
2. Taste the Pages: Exploring the Role of Cuisine in Classic Novels
The pages of classic novels are full of delicacies and treats that set our stomachs rumbling. We explore the appetite-arousing potential of gourmet cuisine in a variety of classic stories, from Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland to F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby.
In particular, the delectable descriptions of Alice’s spread of cakes and ‘eat me’ confections reignite a craving for something sweet in many a reader. By exploring Wonderland’s curious dining options, Carroll is able to provide a comic backdrop to Alice’s journey, as cuisine serves a practical purpose as well as an aesthetic one. In the same vein, Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby is replete with scrumptious meals as the narrator and narrator Nick Carraway dine and wine on Tom and Daisy Buchanan’s luxurious Long Island estate – cuisine even serves a dramatic purpose in the novel’s development.
However, classic literature’s explorations of cuisine prove to be more than surface level delights. In Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, for example, the preparation and presentation of meals acts as a social barometer; since characters’ eating habits reflect the various social classes and circles in which they operate, puddings and pastries become integral literary devices for the characterizations. Similarly, in Charles Dickens’s A Tale of Two Cities, guillotines and feasting scenes draw the relevance of socio-political issues in this period drama to the fore. Inextricably linked to the darker sides of humanity, and frequently a source of comfort during hearts darkest hour, the consumption of food in classic literature gives insight into a character’s multiple sides.
Classic books use the power of gastronomy to nurture the reader’s emotional and cognitive experience. From these classic authors, we can learn how to pair perfectly detailed descriptions of savory and sweet delicacies with artful symbolism – after all, nothing says ‘happy ending’ like a celebratory dinner scene, or ‘doom and gloom’ like a tray of dry sandwiches. So as we continue to explore the literature of past centuries, let us not forget to savor the delightful flavors that litter its pages.
3. Food as a Metaphor: The Symbolic Role of Feasts in Fiction
Every culture around the world has its own traditions and customs, and food plays a significant role in many of them. Feasts have been used for centuries to signify special occasions, or to honor gods and heroes. Similarly, food is often used as a metaphor in literature to convey messages about characters and themes.
Feasts can be used to represent various themes and ideas in fiction, such as hospitality, acceptance, and celebration. One example of this is The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien, in which the house of Elrond hosts a celebratory feast for the fellowship when they arrive. During the feast, a sense of unity is derived from the fact that everyone eats together and enjoys the same food. This shows us that hospitality and acceptance are important themes for the novel, and the feast opens our eyes to the power of companionship.
Furthermore, feasts can be used to connote luxury and opulence. One example is the ball held in Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. The opulence of the food and the décor shows us the wealth of the Bennet family, and their ability to host such a grand event demonstrates that they are respected members of society. Additionally, the number and variety of dishes gives us an insight into the lifestyle and culture of the time, indicating the prevalence of traditions and the role of food in society.
Food can also be used to convey the message that a character is strong and successful. An example of this is the feast that Bilbo serves to the dwarves in The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. The elaborate dishes and exotic foods that he presents to the dwarves gives us an insight into his character; he is able to provide for himself and others, making him strong and independent. The feast also suggests that Bilbo is generous and has an understanding of the importance of hospitality.
In conclusion, feasts play a significant role in fiction. From representing ideas such as hospitality, acceptance, and luxury, to demonstrating a character’s strength and success, food is often used as a metaphor to convey various messages in literature.
4. A Feast for the Mind: Exploring the Literary Appeal of Culinary Delights
The written word and the preparation of food have long been intertwined, equally capable of delighting readers and diners alike. Taking bite-sized pieces from the rich culture of cookbooks, literary chefs evoke fascinating stories with their culinary creations.
The Cooking as a Narrative Tool
The way food is prepared and presented helps to create atmosphere and build storylines, while giving authors an opportunity to explore themes of identity, culture, and community. Take David Chang’s lauded novel, Eat a Peach, which tells the story of the chef and his journey of reinvention. Through each dish described, Chang weaves in important details and emotions, creating a vivid life portrait.
The Language of Cuisine
Biting descriptors like “dripping,” “crumbling” and “seared” are used to conjure up images and feelings with each dish. Food and the words used to describe it often recall poems and highlight familiar emotion. When eating, words are often used to modify and express our experiences – the tartness of a lemon, the earthiness of a mushroom. These words, while seemingly ordinary, can take on greater meaning when we translate them into literature.
The Stirring Power of Recipes
Recipes, in particular, have the capacity to transport readers to distant towns and villages. Writer and food scholar Mark Kurlansky takes us back to the streets of old Havana in The Book of Salads, in which he shares eight Cuban recipes alongside charming tales of his family’s culture. Every recipe speaks of another era, whether its the slow-cooked Sopa de Ajo from Spain, or the hearty set-it-and-forget-it Ghanaian Red Red Bean Stew.
In the same way we invent stories with food, we can use new stories to invent new recipes. Culinary delights can become a form of inspiration for our words and our plates. That is the inviting power of the written word. Through literature, cooks of all kinds can stir an appetite for creativity.
From Alice’s tea party to Lady Brett Ashley’s bittersweet breakfast, food and literature have enjoyed a rich and unique relationship since the very first storytellers gave up their delicious tales. Natural ingredients, grand feasts, and captivating meals continue to provide delicious inspiration to writers, readers, and foodies alike. And who knows, the next time you pick up a classic novel, the culinary delights of an authentic literary feast may just be around the corner. Bon appétit!
