Cornucopia: Food as Signifier in Literature For the Young

Although the mention of food in literature for the young might at first appear innocuous, the numerous references to eating, food, and its preparation demand explication. The following explores the use of food as a signifier of power and growth, a method of socialization, and a social construct in literature for the young. British and American fantasy, including folk and fairy tales as well as classic and contemporary fantasy, provide the foundation for this study. Feminist criticism allows for an examination of gender roles and stereotypes and reveals that as a rule, authors' use of food perpetuates traditional gender roles by placing women in the context of the kitchen as those who offer nourishment and deny themselves when necessary. Linguistic applications demonstrate how authors use food to describe, define, situate, and construct their characters. In its most general terms, food provides metaphors and descriptions for any number of characters, both male and female. More specifically, dining and food constitute two of the many avenues of socialization and moral instruction. Additionally, characters' attitudes toward food represent a measure of their growth, autonomy, self-control, and status. Numerous contradictions arise, however, in that food and eating, arguably the most crucial and enjoyable aspects of survival, become tools to modify behavior, indicators of power, and devices that too often silence the women who prepare the food, denying them the opportunity to effectively speak and openly influence others.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Arts in English

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

English

Year

2000

Author dc:creator

• Stewart, Susan Louise

Contributors dc:contributor

• Linda Benson

• English Language and Literature

Statement dc:rights

• © Susan Louise Stewart

Repository record dc:identifier

https://bearworks.missouristate.edu/theses/246

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:bearworks.missouristate.edu:theses-1247