Edit to add: I'll be on vacation next week, so the next TOTW will be in two weeksHi BetterMostians,
dipping my toes into another symbolism topic this week.
In some scenes, various kinds of food plays a prominent role in the movie. The fact that Ennis orders soup for Jack is a clear and early sign of Ennis's affection towards Jack.
Then the „shoot a sheep vs. stick to beans“ discussion, which is symbolic for their relationship and their different approaches to life.
Later Ennis shows a poignant nostalgia when he brings beans to one of their fishing trips, saying he's gonna fix them just the way he used to.
Ennis uses food to please Jack at least three times: when he orders soup from the Basque, when he shoots an elk because Jack doesn't want to stick to beans and in the above mentioned scene.
He is nurturing Jack. In contrast, he expects Alma to do the nurturing in their marriage („Bring some round steak“, „Nodody 's eating unless you're serving it“).
But beyond those more obvious examples, there are other important scenes with food involved. Come to think of it, there's pretty much food throughout the whole movie, which brings me to the question, if there is one big, overall symbolic meaning to all food mentioned/shown? Perhaps the nurturing aspect as a manifestation of the relationships between the various characters in the movie.
We've also previously talked about the (wonder) bread and it's different stages of being wrapped/unwrapped as a symbol for Ennis secret/not any longer secret sexuality.
Some more examples of food prominently involved into scenes:
- food is scattered twice: after Ennis encounters the bear and when Alma Jr. smashes the peanut jars
- both Thanksgiving scenes
- Alma feeding Alma Jr. while Ennis is waiting for Jack („One more bite“ - „That was a good bite, you're excused.“)
- Jack putting corn into a pot while waiting for Ennis (same scene when Ennis brings the beans)
- all the glasses with baby food when Alma does the laundry at the lonesome ole ranch
- Alma cooking when Ennis gets the first postcard from Jack (and Alma Jr. imitating her)
- the elk: shooting of the elk, later we see them munching and see the meat on a rack
- Jack peeling potatoes when Ennis is washing everything he can reach
- the fish Ennis never brought home
Any ideas on the mentioned scenes (or others)? What comes to your mind thinking BBM and food?