Significance of food.

Food is nourishment, and it represents kindness and generosity. Ruth cooks generously, and is large-sized. Mrs. Bergen refuses food, as it is “fattening.” She is cold and stingy with her affections. Patty’s first act of generosity after hiding Anton is to bring him a large amount of food. Grandma Fried, also a warm and caring person, takes Patty to a fine restaurant, and Mr. Grimes takes Patty for a meal on the way to the reformatory. It is pointed out Mr. Bergen is generous with food, as well, but he seems to be generous in many ways with everyone except Patty, which indicates his problem is specifically with her.

It is interesting to note Patty often refuses to eat, and she has a sensitive stomach. She also orders something then is unable to finish it. This may symbolize Patty’s inability to nourish herself or to accept love and kindness, even though she craves it.