The Role of Women
The time period of the novel is never stated; but it may be assumed that it occurs during the mid to late twentieth century, a time of evolution in the role of women in society. Within the two cultures, Indian and American, the author paints portraits of women with vastly different appearances, educations, and opportunities; but they are so alike in their inherent lack of self esteem and repressed dreams. In India, Uma and Aruna must take their cues from Mama, who was raised to become a marriageable girl, hopefully to a man with promise. This would insure Mama's security and the position of the family.
Fortunately, Mama secured a good husband and created a good family life, although the environment is very male-centric, first for Papa's needs and then later on for Arun's. The culture is built on making girls ready for marriage, sublimating education except for the very few. Uma is a sad example of the needs of daughters being minimized for the good of the family, especially the male members. When Mama and Papa remove Uma from the convent school, it is the beginning of the end of Uma's hopes of ever learning more about the world or achieving any dreams. From that point, Uma's life takes on the role of proper subservience and indebtedness to her parents, especially in light of her failed marriage attempts.
In contrast, Aruna, because of her beauty and social skills, succeeds in making a good marriage and living an affluent life. The author wants the reader to understand that life is usually easier for those women who are attractive and have pleasing personalities, despite the culture. In America, Mrs. Patton is just as subservient to her husband; although the initial restrictions were never an issue for Mrs. Patton, whom it is assumed had the right to choose her husband. Mrs. Patton was raised in a generation of girls taught to be good mothers and wives. When Mrs. Patton's family no longer needs what she has to offer, she is unfocused and tries to fill the void with daily excursions to the supermarket where she feels most comfortable. Melanie, like Uma, is a tragic character because she is so emotionally fragile. She tries to feed her soul with an eating disorder, which threatens to destroy her. Melanie does have the advantage over Uma, in that Melanie is younger and lives in a country where psychological and lifestyle help is available. So Melanie at least has the chance to lead a happy life.
Food and Eating
From the title of the book, the reader understands that the novel is about food and eating; both the physical act and the symbolic meaning of spiritual nourishment, or lack of it. The author liberally speaks of different Indian foods and dishes, those prepared for festivities, for comfort, and for everyday consumption. The food served indicates the level of importance of the person eating. For example, Aruna's pre-wedding cocktail party and wedding are filled with delicacies; but Papa bristles when Uma orders the cook to prepare a dish out of the ordinary when wayward cousin, Ramu, visits. When the family returns on the boat after scattering Anamika's ashes, Uma whispers to Mama that she has instructed the cook to prepare puri-alu for breakfast so that the family can share the bond that this comfort food provides.
The family's daily life is punctuated by Mama's orders for Uma to direct the cook to bring Papa's coffee and lemonade and the family meals hinge on Papa's pleasure of the dinner rituals and offerings. In America, in the Patton household, food holds no such sacred place, but is more of a status symbol. For example, Mr. Patton grills fresh slabs of red meat almost every night, as do most of the other families in the neighborhood. To Mr. Patton, the overt preparation and consumption of the costly meat indicates Mr. Patton's ability to provide well for his family, as well as the importance of the neighbors witnessing his provisions.
Unfortunately, Mr. Patton is oblivious to his family's emotional needs, evidenced especially by Mrs. Patton and Melanie. Mrs. Patton, who feels unneeded and unloved in her own home, shops every day and fills the cupboards and freezer with snack foods consumed by her disjointed family, symbolizing the emptiness experienced by all of the Pattons in spite of their zealous consumption. Melanie is the one who exhibits the most serious emotional deprivation, as exhibited by her bulimic behavior hopefully caught in time by the end of the novel so that Melanie may have the hope of better physical and emotional nourishment.
