FRIED GREEN TOMATOES AT THE WHISTLE STOP CAFE

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Introduction

Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Café is an interesting novel, a tale that gives a picture of mystery, laughter and love. The novel tells a story about the little town on Whistle Stop and its well-known Café, focusing on characters like Evelyn Couch, a homemaker in her middle ages and Ninny Threadgoode, an elderly woman living in a nursing home. The novel also focuses on Idgie, Ninny’s sister-in-law, and Ruth, two friends who run a café in the town. It describes Idgie as a girl with tomboyish characteristics, whose character is different to that of her friend Ruth.

The novel describes Evelyn as a woman living an unfulfilling life, resorting to binge eating because of her feelings towards her life, which is a factor that causes her to become overweight. However, her attitude towards life changes with the flourishing friendship that she shares with Ninny, prompting her to live a new and satisfactory life. After Evelyn’s first encounter with Ninny, she develops a habit of frequently visiting her in the nursing home, where Ninny would tell her stories about her youth in the little town of Whistle Stop. Ninny’s stories, together with their friendship, are the main factors that changes Evelyn’s attitude towards life, as she chooses to live a fulfilling life.

Elements of the Southern Culture as portrayed in the book

The book explores racism as a theme, which is eminent in the small town. There is evidence that racism is a culture that exists in the small town, even though the discussion about the situation is muted, and the color line is never crossed. However, Idgie crosses that line, showing that he does not understand the situation in the world in terms of racism. The other indication of this situation is the discussion between Evelyn and Mrs. Theodore, but they relate the situation in fear. The book indicates that white people fear blacks and on the other hand, the blacks exhibit hatred for the white people. Theodore mentions that a majority of the nurses in the town are blacks, indicating that they have deep hatred for the white people. For this reason, the whites fear that the nurses might kill them in their sleep, which creates some tension between the two races in the town.

In terms of the socially acceptable behaviors, the book indicates that the culture of the southerners is that of denial of the female sexuality. This denial has subsequently led to the polarization of women, who are put into different categories like the good and bad girls, as well as the straight and lesbian girls. however, there is a gradual change to this belief, especially when Mrs. Threadgoode shows no sign of being offended by Ruth and Idgie’s relationship.The intense same-sex relationship that Ruth and Idgie share is an indication that same-sex relationships are acceptable in the Southern society. Ninny says that the two women, Ruth and Idgie met at their friend’s funeral, after which they fell in love with each other, and they spent so much time with each other as well. However, many people choose to ignore the loving friendship that is there between the two women, which is an aspect of female experiences.

The novel centers on a number of themes, which are a description of the Southern culture. Amongst some of the cultures the novel expounds on is the Southerners ability and prowess in cooking. The author, Fannie Flag, gives a poetic description of the mouthwatering and rich recipes of the Southerners, which includes foods like deep fried chicken, the iconic fried green tomatoes and fruit pies, amongst other foods. The book centers on the importance of food as the fabric to everyday living in the American South. For instance, the author indicates that the friendship between the two women, Evelyn and Ninny, is partly a result of the frequent treats that Evelyn takes to Ninny. On the other hand, the Whistle Stop Café seems like a restaurant that somebody can easily frequent since it offers good coffee, as well as good quality barbecue.

Conclusion

In my opinion, the novel gives a clear demarcation of the different timelines featured, which is easy to identify, and makes the book less confusing. The book also puts a lot of emphasis on the food culture of the southerners, indicating that through food, Ninny and Evelyn became very good friends. It is through the friendship that Evelyn was able to get a complete transformation of her life to the better. Throughout the book, there is a depiction of different cultures of the southerners, even though they might have been blurry. The book revolves around a couple of themes, including racism and sexuality, which are sensitive subjects in the current world. The distinctive factor that the book portrays about the southerners is their appreciation of good food, which is something that is used to bring people together. Its portrayal of love and friendship is also practical.

Bibliography

Flagg, Fannie. 1992. Fried green tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe. London: Vintage.