Blog # 4

"When he buys an item of food, consumes it, or serves it, modern man does not manipulate a simple object in a purely transitive fashion; this food sums up and transmits a situation; it constitutes an infor-mation; it signifies." -Roland Barthes

I think this quote can be used to express the significance that food plays to Julia Child.  It is through her discovery of French cuisine that she discovers food's simplicity.  Through what she learns at Le Cordon Bleu Julie is able to change the way she prepares food.  Instead of attempting to transform food through its preparation she allows the food to remain what it is; naturally beautiful and delicious.  In her book she says "But now I was learning the French tradition of extracting the full, essential flavors from food- to make, say, a roasted chicken taste really chickeny" (p. 67).  Basically if the food is good enough it should be able to speak for itself without being made fancy and overwhelming. 

How is food powerful to Julia?

Food to Julia was this tool she could use to experience a new country.  Food gave her the ability to learn and expand her knowledge  about something she knew very little about before.  This new knowledge allowed her to make new friendships and impress people.  Food was not only a tool to teach Julia it also gave her confidence.

Julia vs. Ruth

To both Julia and Ruth food contains an element of power.  It gained them both popularity and attention.  Food also gave them both an inner power as well.  But, where Julia gains confidence through her food Ruth gains serenity and comfort.  In her novel Tender at the Bone Ruth states that "When I was in the restaurant I felt grounded, fully there" (p. 233).  Food has this power to transcend all else and cause her to feel calm.  The difference between these two authors in regards to food's significance to them would be that food to Ruth is much more a comforting thing that allows for emotional connection.  For Julia it seems to be an exciting and fun way to experience life, but for Ruth it seems almost necessary.  Food to Ruth connects her to those she cares about the most and brings about a great sense of comfort and emotion.