Nom nom nom
A prevailing theme throughout this book has been the significance of food. To people, food is not just something that keeps us alive, but also something that brings us together. During the first couple of visits with Miss Emma, Jefferson refuses to eat her home cooked meals. This could be a method of defense for himself so he will not have to remember that he is separated from the community and that he will never be able to experience Sunday dinners together with his family and friends again. However, it may also symbolize Jefferson’s rejection of his community and humanity. Since in the beginning he is thoroughly convinced he is a hog, he rejects anything that could make him seem human, saying that hogs would not do that.
A little act of his progress towards accepting his humanity and community is when he eats the pecans that the children bring him. A visible indication of Grant’s progress with turning Jefferson into a man is Jefferson finally eating the gumbo with his godmother, Grant's aunt, and the reverend. The shift from a whole gallon of ice cream to a home cooked meal and a small amount of ice cream as his choice for a last meal also shows him somewhat growing up.
A little act of his progress towards accepting his humanity and community is when he eats the pecans that the children bring him. A visible indication of Grant’s progress with turning Jefferson into a man is Jefferson finally eating the gumbo with his godmother, Grant's aunt, and the reverend. The shift from a whole gallon of ice cream to a home cooked meal and a small amount of ice cream as his choice for a last meal also shows him somewhat growing up.
Interesting observations. Jefferson's attitude concerning food seems to parallel his overall views on himself. He begins eating only what the other prisoners do, like an animal, rejecting the special treatment he gets from those who actually care about him. The "gallon of ice cream" is an unrealistic, somewhat animalistic craving. In the end, he willingly eats the food he's given, and accepts a smaller amount of ice cream instead of his initial desires.
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