In Raymond Carver’s story, A Small Good Thing, there is a character, the baker. He is a rough, and rude man who is changed by the loss of a families son. He goes from being rude, to sorrowful and compassionate because of their story. The essays written in class would have a similar effect. The essays that spoke about how meals were family traditions would make the baker feel like he wants to become part of something that will carry on after his life. Some of the essays show how the food didn’t start out being great, but needed to have some changes made to make it work, like the changes the baker needs to make to become part of something. Since the baker’s life is about food, he already has half of the equation. Now he just needs to create the connection between how food can represent and bring back memories of family. Each essay, through its description of memories and family, would help the baker realize how very connected family and food is.
Since the baker has been lonely for most of his life, he might not have even experienced the emotions that come from being included. There is a comfort, and familiarity that comes with family, and certain foods that connect them. Kaylie Vien’s essay is a good example of this connection. Throughout the essay she describes memories, such as how they had to anxiously wait until after trick or treating to have beef stew. She speaks about how, because it is only eaten once a year, it is special and exciting. This would show how she feels about the food. It is also said that because Vien’s grandmother makes it, it is a special memory to show how caring and comforting her grandmother is.
The Essay on Fast Food Children Families People
Some of the people interviewed for this film suggest that Americans can always refuse to eat fast food, but is it really that easy? No, because there are many factors involved when an individual of family decide to eat fast food for any particular meal of the day. Several factors in this decision include but are not limited to: Firstly most people pack their day with activities continuously so ...
Another detail that would really get the baker into the essay, is the fact that she will be away at school for Halloween, and will not be able to have the stew. Vien explains that this is disappointing to her, and she won’t have the familiar food when she is away from home. Through this essay, the baker would be exposed to emotions such as excitement, and the comfort of a meal made by a grandmother, after a long cold trek of trick or treating. Although there is disappointment mixed into the essay, it shows the baker how it effects her feelings.
The essays that spoke about how meals were family traditions throughout generations would make the baker feel like he wants to become part of something that will carry on after his life. Jazmyne Ireland describes a dish that has been made for generations, and she is carrying it on. This meal, cheeseburger pie, was made by her grandmother, eaten by her father, and is now made by Ireland. This tradition has already been passed along to three generations, and Ireland speaks of how she feels connected to her grandmother because she can make the food she was known for. Ireland says, “She remains in our lives while connecting those of us still alive” (Ireland).
If the baker could have something he enjoys, such as food to pass on to someone, he would be able to make a better connection with people. Emma Waterhouse also spoke of a traditional food. Although this food wasn’t passed on through generations yet, it is a Christmas tradition. The fact that it is a holiday tradition is important.
Usually holidays are times to connect with, enjoy, and appreciate your family. If the baker doesn’t realize this, this essay could help show him why people love holidays. Monkey bread is the meal that is made every Christmas morning in Waterhouse’s essay. Not only is this meal special because it is made once a year, but because it, in a sense, represents all of them. Waterhouse says, “Like a family, there are many ingredients used to make monkey bread the best it can be” (Waterhouse).
The Essay on Family Meal
In her essay, “The Magic of the Family Meal,” Nancy Gibbs, explains the important role of having meals plays on children. Gibbs begins her essay by telling us how valuable having a family meal is and the positive outcome. She believes that having a family meal, more than three times a week, with no interruptions, can have a great power over a family’s communication skills. Gibbs then explains that ...
The idea that food correlates to how a family comes together, could help the baker understand what is so special. If they had this meal everyday, it would be taken for granted, like they may take for granted each other. Christmas morning is a time to remember everyone, and the monkey bread is the food that is important during this holiday, and is a good way to explain to the baker how a family comes together.
As the baker, I would be very upset that I was making food for all these people celebrating, but I didn’t have anything to celebrate, or anyone to celebrate with. By reading Jessica Beaulieu’s essay, he will realize that some foods aren’t a tradition, and become part of the family. This would show him that he has a chance to become part of something. In her essay, she describes how she didn’t really like Chinese pie at first, but after tweaking some ingredients, it became her favorite meal. Beaulieu says, “ As basic as the recipe is, there are more components to Chinese pie than just beef, corn, and potatoes…she adds sour cream, cream cheese, and other ingredients that are to remain insecrecy” (Beaulieu).
This could relate to how the baker may not be apart of a family right now, but by changing or adding a few things such as his attitude, he could have people to celebrate with.
Cassie Fickett also writes about how her favorite meal, a cake that was just randomly found, and is now something that reminds her of her Grandmother. She found it on the internet, and made it with her Grandmother. While they were making it, they talked about things from boys, to the struggles of her Grandmother’s life of a widow. Through these conversations Fickett learns what family means to her, and because it was the cake that brought them together, it will be something to represent those memories. The way Fickett describes the conversations makes them seem very close, and it is a tender and emotional essay. This would show the baker that the food he makes everyday, really is something to bond over, and can bring back memories. In his case, he could try being interested in the story behind the customer’s bakery request in order to connect better with people through the food he makes.
By the end of Raymond Carver’s A Small Good thing, the baker changed to be empathetic towards the family that lost their son. He shared food with them, because that is what he had to share. Since he is already connected to food, he just needs to learn how food is connected to family. Through Kaylie Vien’s essay the baker can experience the excitement, and longing for a traditional meal made once a year, by her Grandmother. Jazmyne Ireland’s essay explains that it makes you feel connected to someone they either never knew, or are not around anymore. Since the baker does not currently have anyone to connect with, Jessica Beaulieu and Cassie Fickett’s essays illustrate how some things can become part of a family through trial, error and a few changes to the recipe. Sometimes people just need to change a few things, or fall into their spot. Each essay mentioned brings details to attention that would help the baker transition from being rude, to being a
The Essay on Home Cook Meals Vs. Fast Food
In today’s modern world, fast food has taken over almost every household in America. Is that good for us? Many have asked themselves that and everyone knows what the answer is. Fast food and eating out is more convenient for every working households, home cook meals provide us more control over what we eat, we generally know what type of ingredients are going into our meal and where our raw ...
part of a family.
Works Cited
Beaulieu, Jessica. My Favorite Meal. 2013. Web. 29 Sept. 2013. Ireland, Jazmyne. Cheese Burger Pie. 2013. Web. 29 Sept. 2013. Waterhouse, Emma. Favorite Meal. 2013. Web. 29 Sept 2013.
