Neon Gods

Robert uses food and meals to showcase Hades’s caring personality, as well as the extent and nature of his relationship with others. While he finds Hermes and Dionysus exasperating, Hades is clearly accepting of Hermes taking advantage of his hospitality, reflecting that when it comes to both her and Dionysus, “I gave up fighting their presence” (55). He passes her a coffee mug with enough room for her ice cream, making casual conversation about Persephone and last night’s party.

Even before he is truly attached to her, Hades is concerned with Persephone not eating enough. His deeper emotional involvement is reflected in the food they share together, and his commentary on her choices. When she tells him “I don’t eat when I’m stressed,” he tells her “that changes now” (157), and ushers in a massive feast which he watches her consume. Hades realizes Persephone has grown comfortable in his home when he finds her in the kitchen, making breakfast with his cook, who never lets him help with meals. Later in the text, Hades takes Persephone to the night market and they eat gyros, a favorite meal of his that she immediately appreciates. Caught up in the moment, Hades imagines, “this might be a first date or a third or ten years down the road” (231), only to remind himself that Persephone must leave Olympus when winter ends.