Chapter 2- Nice to Eat with You: Acts of Communion
In this
chapter, Foster describes that communion is not restricted to a religious
meaning but that is can be used simply to describe a coming together of people
to share a meal. He explains that “Eating with another is a way of saying, ‘I’m
with you, I like you, we form community together.’” Foster uses examples from
other pieces of literature such as Raymond Carver’s story “Cathedral” and James
Joyce’s story “The Dead.” Through these examples, Foster points out that eating
together isn’t always by choice and may be awkward in the beginning. He
describes that eating together can change one’s perspective on those eating with
them. One may already have an idea about a person, but when they eat together
both parties open up and realize they are more alike than they originally
thought. In these stories and others like “Jane Eyre,” the scene at the table
is used to bring the characters together to form a sense of community. In the
novel “Jane Eyre” the girls at Lowood School have to eat every meal together at
the table. Although the meals were short and typically unpleasant, the girls
and teachers had to eat together as one. Due to the quality of the food, the
ladies expressed their disgust or admiration towards the food. During this time
of eating, everyone had to be together therefore no one was left out of the
picture. Being at the dinner table with
others opens conversational doors with everyone. Most of people’s days revolve
around eating schedules. Eating is a time to rejuvenate and relax which most
people look for after a hard day of work or school. Through sharing this time,
one can also share feelings and thoughts they had throughout their day which
relieves extra stress. By venting to one another, people feel more comfortable
and start to trust those around them. This creates a bond that cannot be formed
through just talking on the phone because the physical act of being with one
another and talking face to face makes things real. Meals are something that bring people closer
together because they realize that they have similarities with one another.
Eating together can form strangers into best friends and friends into families.
In Anne Fishel’s FAQ the importance of dinner is expressed. Fishel, a clinical
psychologist, explains that eating meals together have many benefits. It is
proven that children who eat dinner at the table with their families are more
confident and make better grades in school. There are many personal and social
benefits that come along with eating meals together. People are more pleased
with themselves and the people around them so they have a more positive
attitude. This reflects on their everyday performance. Foster’s examples and
statements along with both Jane Eyre and Fishel’s FAQ support that coming
together as one to share a meal has benefits for people therefore writers use
it as a way to bring their characters together in a story.
http://thefamilydinnerproject.org/resources/faq/
http://thefamilydinnerproject.org/resources/faq/
