Babette's Feast

Food and cooking symbolize spiritual and physical nourishment in “Babette’s Feast.” Martine and Philippa tell Babette that “their own food must be as plain as possible,” for “to them luxurious fare was sinful” (15). It is part of their religion to not eat delicious or elaborate food, which is why Babette’s dinner is such a point of conflict for them and their Brothers and Sisters. Despite their reservations, they are spiritually uplifted by the feast, as is Loewenhielm. The food and drink smooths over all their interpersonal disputes, past regrets, and internal conflicts; it even helps them experience the “infinite grace” of God (38). Ultimately, the feast fills the gaps left in their lives by the Dean’s death, which Martine and Philippa struggled (and failed) to fill as his successors. Babette’s cooking even allows Martine and Philippa to overcome their religious prejudices against Babette and understand her better.

Singing is a motif that represents both earthly fame and spiritual transcendence. It’s both a source of spiritual devotion for Philippa and a point of conflict for her since she rejected the opportunity to become a great singer in Paris. Papin’s singing is the key to his fame, but the spiritual awakening he has when he hears Philippa sing shows that both aspects of singing are important to him.