Food
The central theme of “Babette’s Feast” revolves around the transformative impact of food on people's emotions and the atmosphere of a gathering. Prior to Babette's arrival, Martine and Philippa viewed food solely as a necessity for survival. Their ascetic lifestyle prevented them from appreciating food as a source of pleasure. In contrast, Babette has a passion for crafting exquisite meals that bring joy to others. When she finally has the chance to cook for the sisters and their congregation, the narrative comes to life. The meal she creates encourages interaction and happiness. Dinesen observes: “Usually in Berlevaag people did not speak much while they were eating. But somehow this evening tongues were loosened.” She goes on to say:
Typically, during a satisfying meal, the people of Berlevaag would begin to feel a bit sluggish. This evening, however, was different. The diners felt lighter both in body and spirit as they ate and drank. They no longer had to remind themselves of their vow [to pretend to enjoy the meal despite the unusual dishes]. It was, they realized, when one completely forgets and willingly abandons all thoughts of food and drink that they consume in the true spirit.
Even before the feast, Dinesen highlights Babette’s remarkable culinary talent. When she takes over the household duties for the sisters, she respects their mission of feeding the needy. The sisters notice that “the soup-pails and baskets acquired a new, mysterious power to stimulate and strengthen their poor and sick.” Whether she is cooking for friends, hosts, strangers, the needy, or the wealthy, Babette possesses a unique culinary gift that brings her satisfaction while delighting others.
Contrast
Throughout the narrative, Dinesen presents several stark contrasts. One of the most pronounced is between Babette and her hostesses, Martine and Philippa. Babette is portrayed as a woman vastly different from them, and Dinesen emphasizes these distinctions clearly. While Babette has dark hair, the sisters are fair-haired. Babette is a French Catholic fleeing chaos, which stands in contrast to the sisters, who are Norwegian Lutherans living in a stable and predictable setting. Babette is open to worldly experiences and pleasures (though not excessively), whereas the sisters intentionally avoid such indulgences. The religious disparity is especially important to the sisters, a principle taught by their father. When he learned that Papin was Roman Catholic, he "grew a little pale," as he had never met a Roman Catholic before. Dinesen remarks that the sisters and their congregation "renounced the pleasures of this world, for the earth and all that it held to them was but a kind of illusion." This underscores the contrast between the sisters' sheltered upbringing and the larger world beyond their father's teachings. The sisters are described as having an "almost supernatural fairness of flowering fruit trees or perpetual snow," and they "did not let themselves be touched by the flames of this world." On the night of the dinner, Babette's vigorous and bustling activity in the kitchen contrasts sharply with the sisters' serene preparations for the event. Martine and Philippa "put on their old black best frocks and their confirmation gold crosses. They sat down, folded their hands in their laps, and committed themselves unto God."
What transforms the concept of contrast from a mere stylistic choice to a central theme is Dinesen's use of it. Instead of solely creating interest in the characters, she brings all the contrasts between Babette and the sisters to a peak during the feast, demonstrating how their differences ultimately bring them together. Surprisingly, these differences are not insurmountable, as General Loewenhielm declares in his toast, “Righteousness and bliss...
(This entire section contains 413 words.)
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have kissed one another!” Through shared kindness and understanding, the women find that their differences do not prevent emotional closeness. This developing bond is hinted at earlier in the story, as the sisters welcome Babette into their home and begin to know her better. Dinesen reveals their realization: “She had appeared to be a beggar; she turned out to be a conqueror.” The contrast between their initial perception of Babette and her true self becomes significant only because the sisters remain open-hearted in discovering her true nature.
Spirituality and Human Pleasure
As Babette’s exquisite banquet unfolds, General Loewenhielm delivers a profound speech that encapsulates the story’s central theme. During this festive occasion, he articulates, “righteousness and bliss shall kiss one another.” Through this poignant declaration, he suggests that spirituality is attainable not only in the afterlife but also here in the temporal realm. Furthermore, he implies that spiritual fulfillment can harmoniously coexist with human pleasure, without descending into immorality. This notion challenges the often rigid dichotomy between spiritual purity and earthly enjoyment, proposing instead a synthesis where they embrace and enhance one another.
Self-Denial and Earthly Delights
In their unwavering devotion to spirituality, Martine, Philippa, and their sect have deliberately turned away from the pleasures and experiences of the material world. This commitment to self-denial is evident in Martine and Philippa's decisions to forgo promising opportunities for love and romance. Martine, in particular, had a suitor named Loewenhielm, whose life was profoundly influenced by Martine's steadfast asceticism.
Loewenhielm's family was shrouded in an intriguing legend, one involving an ancestor who married a "female mountain spirit of Norway," thereby acquiring "second sight." This mythical family tale took on new meaning when Loewenhielm encountered Martine in his youth. She seemed to him to embody the very essence of the legend, awakening within him a "sudden, mighty vision of a higher and purer life." Faced with this overwhelming possibility, Loewenhielm was filled with a rare sense of inadequacy, prompting him to flee back to France. There, he chose to immerse himself in the pursuit of earthly achievements and pleasures, distancing himself from the notion of "second sight." Over time, he ascended the ranks as a military and court figure. However, fate drew him back to Norway for a special feast in 1883, offering a unique moment of reflection on his choices and the life he had crafted away from Martine's presence.
Choices and Regrets
As Loewenhielm prepares to reunite with Martine, memories of past choices weigh heavily on him, stirring up a storm of unresolved questions. Did he truly choose wisely? He ventures to Babette's feast, his mind set on a mission to assert control in a setting that once left him feeling overpowered. His intent is clear: prove to himself that the simple life Martine embraced—symbolized by "the low rooms, the haddock and the glass of water on the table"—would have led him to despair. Yet, upon his arrival, he encounters an unexpected marvel. In this secluded Norwegian village, a culinary masterpiece unfolds almost as if by magic, challenging his preconceived notions.
As the evening draws to a close, Loewenhielm finds himself changed. He takes Martine's hand, expressing a profound sentiment: "I have been with you every day of my life," and promises, "I will be with you every day that is left to me." This extraordinary feast reveals to him that the miraculous can manifest in the mundane, bridging the gap between the spiritual and the earthly. Through this remarkable experience, he realizes that his connection to Martine was never truly severed, only muted by the years and distance that separated them. The meal not only nourishes the body but rekindles a spiritual bond, reminding him of the enduring nature of their kinship.
Spirituality and Worldly Pleasures
In the narrative of asceticism and indulgence, Loewenhielm emerges as a compelling counterpoint to the ascetic characters who inhabit their world by denying earthly pleasures in their quest for spirituality. Unlike them, Loewenhielm's journey is marked by a retreat from spirituality, which he finds intimidating, leading him to find solace in the embrace of worldly pleasures. This dichotomy presents the pursuit of spirituality as a delicate balance between renunciation and indulgence.
The character of Babette embodies this equilibrium. Her choice to remain in the isolated Norwegian landscape signifies a profound connection to both her past and the world around her. Babette's memory of a singular, sumptuous feast she once prepared stands as a testament to her ability to merge the spiritual with the earthly. This feast, transcending mere sustenance, became an expression of the divine through worldly means, symbolizing a harmonious blend of spiritual aspiration and earthly delight.
