Food

Food for Edie's parents and Kenneth is a life-giving form of nourishment. For Edie it is a replacement for love and a way to escape pain. Eating is her search for comfort, love, and understanding.

Edie Eating at Restaurants Alone

Eating meals together is a bonding experience. An unpleasant meal with others is a bad sign. Edie's eating alone goes beyond just a failed meal. It shows the lack of bonding with her family and just how dysfunctional it is.

Rachelle Serving the Cookies at the End of the Novel

These cookies serve a s a peace offering and a way to bring her closer to the family members. It is important that she serves them cookies and not something healthy, as her obsession with health food has been driving everyone crazy. She is finally feeding her hungry husband.

The Necklace Benny Makes and Gives to Edie