Food within Charles Dicken's Novels

The Dickens' novel makes a continued metaphorical comparison between character and food. Hillis Miller illustrated how David tends to associate people with food, as shown in his description of Peggotty's arms being so "hard and red" that he "wondered why birds didn't peck her in preference to apples". Dickens integrates the notion that food embodies character from the start, alongside enforcing ideas of class stereotypes. Peggotty, the house servant and cook is instantly paralleled with the image of apples which later tie into the apple pastries we (the reader) learns she bakes. It is interesting to note how David describes Peggotty through the lens of food, however, fails to do so when thinking of his mother who is described in very human terms: "pretty hair and youthful shape". It could be inferred that it is implied that David views Peggotty as a mothering figure in that she nurtures him and provides him with sustenance. Dickens goes...

Oliver's life should have begun like any other child. However, the natural bond between mother and child was perverted by materialism. As baby Oliver was "farmed" to a woman who valued money over feeding the children under her care by reducing their food. This is again seen in the Work House where the boys are starved to cut back on costs. Food represents a metaphoric depiction of what is withheld from Oliver - physical and emotional sustenance. Dickens often depicts malnourished children juxtaposed by fat gluttonous adults to illustrate the unjust divide between classes.  The mere image of Oliver Twist asking the cruel workhouse master described as a "fat healthy man" for more watered down gruel paints the stark picture that the suffering lower classes are sometimes those that are the most innocent. By presenting the protagonist as a starving young boy conjures the notion of innocence and vulnerability; he stands as a symbol for all workhouse boys, all chil...

A Christmas Carol - How Dickens shaped Christmas. 'A Christmas Carol' by Charles Dickens has integrated itself into every Christmas British home. The tale of how a rich but selfish man named Scrooge discovers compassion after three spirits show him the poor conditions the lower classes survive in. Repeatedly Dickens employs the topic of food as a catalyst to depict power (or lack thereof). The Cratchits' dinner is famously used as a symbol of poor status. The family's expression of positive energy is brought to the readers attention as "the two smaller Cratchits'" come "tearing in screaming" as they prepare to eat their meal, starkly juxtaposing the actual description of the "eked out" portions; in this way, it is obvious that they scarcely indulge in a sit-down meal, a rare occasion to perhaps even have hot food. Scrooge witnesses Bob Cratchit give a toast to him, " I'll give you Mr. Scrooge, the Founder of the Feast...