Summary

Diski begins “Mrs Strauss’s Devotion” by discussing a new cookbook based upon the menus of the Titanic. Because very few survivors remain, there is no way to know what exactly was consumed aboard the ship. The book provides instructions for how to recreate that meal and atmosphere. Diski believes that the Titanic has become quite the social metaphor. She describes how the rooms had numerous different styles. Patrons who wanted to eat from the exclusive a la cart menu, the best on the ship, had to pay extra. Some, apparently, applied for refunds after the ship sank.

Diski goes on to mention that the survivability rate of those on board increased dramatically as social class increased, but sex also played a very large role in determining who would survive as those...