Food for thought

The class watched a Danish movie, Babette’s Feast,  the other day about two sisters and their story, which is intertwined with food. In this community the people lived relatively simple lives. The portrayal of them was of their value of religion and family, and they emphasized the unimportance of earthly things, like romantic partners, extravagant materials and commodities. The sisters lived with their father until his death and both narrowly avoided romance. One overlooked her love, talent and chance for fame and glory in order to stay with her family. Their meals reflected this simple life. They had the same fish and ale bread and soup daily, a routine, like their lives. They care for their community members by providing meals for them. However, when Babette, a French refugee who lives with them, wins the lottery, and decides to provide some earthly pleasure for the women she's grown to love. They worry that this surrender to temptation will taint their purity, but decide they need to accept this act of love from Babette. She makes them an extravagant feast, giving them perhaps the most pleasurable experience either sister has experienced in life.The good food helped the church members put aside their problems with each other, enjoy life, and remember the good pastor who taught them praise. The food is a gift, an experience, a gathering and a nurturing substance.