Aphrodisiacs Summary

In this chapter, Allende clearly defines the term aphrodisiac as "any substance or activity that piques amorous desire. Some have scientific basis, but most are activated by the imagination." Allende explains that some items are considered an aphrodisiac because of their suggestive shape, such as pickles or oysters. Other things may remind us of something erotic through memory or suggestion. Sometimes language can contribute to the erotic quality of something, such as French or Italian terms in particular. Patriarchal societies, which include most societies around the world, are obsessed by the penis as a symbol of virility.

Allende continues by stating that eating and copulating depend more on the brain than on the digestive or sexual systems, as humanity requires a bare minimum for survival, but engages in quite a bit more sex and food than is absolutely necessary. The excess consumption of...