Food as Motif

Throughout the novel, recurring images of food and descriptions of eating and cooking act as extended metaphors for desire. Piglet has a distinct relationship with food that originates with her and her sister’s complex childhood relationship. While Piglet’s parents have nicknamed her Piglet because they see her as “their daughter who ate,” Piglet began eating Franny’s portions of food when Franny developed anxiety around eating (69). Afraid of having people watch her eat her birthday cake, Piglet promised to “work something out” to help Franny and ate the entire cake the night before (71). This action captures Piglet’s childhood desire to help her sister. Over time, Piglet’s relationship with food becomes increasingly maladaptive and turns into a way for her to cope with her own anxieties over her family and relationships.

In the narrative present, Piglet tries to use cooking to...