In what ways is food a reflection of cultural or even religious values? As Barthes says, food is “a form of communication” and a “social signifier.” Using Barthes’ idea of food as “social signifier,” analyze how social situations in at least two of these texts “Stories of Fat, Food and Pleasure,” “When Mr. Pirzada Came to Dinner” or “Babette’s Feast” are “a form of communication.”
Focus Questions: How can food be linked to gender? An idea of home? What is the significance of an invitation to someone’s home, rather than a restaurant? Are special foods prepared? What is the role of the host? How is the social space of someone’s home, different from a restaurant? When are special foods prepared? Why are the two sisters fearful of food? Does their idea change? Has Babette turned their home into a restaurant?
