The Classic novel from Harper Lee depicts the availability
of food from a completely different perspective from the other novels I’ve
discussed. I thought this was an interesting novel to discuss in comparison to
the others, because the narrator is a naïve, innocent child whose perspective
gives a different insight into how social injustice was perceived through a
different eye. We see through Scout’s perception on life that she recognises
this social injustice, however she thinks this is the norm and doesn’t understand
why these things work the way they do. Also, being set during the great depression
makes it even more interesting, as it shows white characters as well as black
characters being associated with the very bottom of the social hierarchy.
This novel shows how even those who were considered superior,
found themselves at the bottom of the social hierarchy due to the infamous
Great Depression of the 1930’s. Food is used to illustrate the concept of
social injustice and helps to move the plot forward. There are over 50 foods
mentioned in the novel, very traditional to Southern America, including
Crackling bread, scuppernongs, Lane cake, cornbread and pound cake.
Beginning of the novel, the scene with Walter Cunningham Jr.
not having a quarter for his food, and Scout’s explanation of why “That’s okay, ma’am, you’ll get to know all
the country folks after a while. The Cunningham’s never took anything they
can’t pay back—no church baskets, and no scrip stamps. They never took anything
off of anybody, they get along on what they have. They don’t have much, but
they get along on it.” (Chapter 2). Scout’s teacher then recalls Walter Cunningham
Sr. having to pay with farming goods for Atticus’ lawyer services. This shows
how the great depression hit everybody, no matter how successful they were.
Calpurnia then calls Scout into the kitchen after she embarrasses
Walter at the dinner table, about
pouring molasses on his food. “If you can’t act fit to eat at the table you can
just sit here and eat in the kitchen!”. Molasses was probably a luxury to
Walter, something that the Cunningham's couldn’t afford. However Scout did not
realise she was being rude, as she was just making a point that she was taught
not to put something so sweet on her dinner.
In Food In The Social
Order, it is stated “Domestic rules regarding the different statuses of
household members may also be reflected at mealtime in dispensing protocols and
seating arrangements”(128). This relates to Calpurnia telling Scout she will be
made to sit in the kitchen, if she does not have table etiquette.
The foods discussed within the novel say a lot
about availability and food shortage during this turbulent period. However,
there was still a difference between the way white folks ate as opposed
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