The Art of Dining
Encyclopedia
The Art Of Dining, a play written by Tina Howe
in 1979, showcases the bizarre relationships three groups of characters have with food. The play is set during November in a New Jersey
restaurant, newly opened by couple Ellen and Cal, who have everything riding on each night's cash flow. Both cooking and eating are included in the play which takes place on a stage.
and social pressures and expectations surrounding the idea that one has to entertain during mealtimes, eat and maneuver utensils with precision, clarity, sophistication and grace; all to impress whoever may be (and usually is) watching. Dining, generally speaking, is considered to be an event which brings people, both friends and family, together. It is thought of as a social time when events of the day are discussed; though often, it is a time when darker things surface (such as money problems). However, as shown in Tina Howe's play, the more gullible and weak-minded people have greater potential to be affected by these pressures and expectations. Each of the characters in the play have been affected and, in a variety of ways, live with problems ranging from eating and body image disorders to personality and mental disorders.
However, none of the characters have been more affected than Elizabeth Barrow Colt. Elizabeth, after suffering childhood traumas of her mother's depression
and attempts at suicide
(beginning, progressing and ending with food and cooking) has left her with neurosis
(a mild personality disorder in which obsessive thoughts and/or compulsive acts and feelings of anxiety are displayed) and an irrational fear of food. Already, Elizabeth had been a sensitive child, with issues surrounding mealtimes. Pressures to entertain during dinner evidently took the focus away from the food, fortunately, as her parent's eating habits turned her stomach. Constantly spitting food into her napkin, Elizabeth lived in an uncomfortable and stressful environment. However, this proves merely to be the root of Elizabeth's condition. It is assumed that Elizabeth is normal in every other aspect of her life. However, throughout the course of the play, it becomes clear that she does not cope well in social situations, especially those involving food and dining. Her issues are highlighted in a number of speeches, loudly and intensely given, exposing the disturbing and personal events of her past. The audience sees how this has left an individual hunger for normality, balance, comfort, the ability to eat in peace, and in doing so, enjoy food.
Tina Howe
Tina Howe is an American playwright. She is the daughter of journalist Quincy Howe and was raised in a literary family...
in 1979, showcases the bizarre relationships three groups of characters have with food. The play is set during November in a New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
restaurant, newly opened by couple Ellen and Cal, who have everything riding on each night's cash flow. Both cooking and eating are included in the play which takes place on a stage.
Characters
- Neurotic short story writer: Elizabeth Barrow Colt
- Publisher: David Osslow
- Couple: Hannah and Paul Galt
- Friends: Herrick Simmons, Nessa Vox and Tony Stassio
- Restaurant owners: Ellen and Cal
Themes
The play explores themes which question the nature of dining; the "art" of dining, as constructed by traditions of etiquetteEtiquette
Etiquette is a code of behavior that delineates expectations for social behavior according to contemporary conventional norms within a society, social class, or group...
and social pressures and expectations surrounding the idea that one has to entertain during mealtimes, eat and maneuver utensils with precision, clarity, sophistication and grace; all to impress whoever may be (and usually is) watching. Dining, generally speaking, is considered to be an event which brings people, both friends and family, together. It is thought of as a social time when events of the day are discussed; though often, it is a time when darker things surface (such as money problems). However, as shown in Tina Howe's play, the more gullible and weak-minded people have greater potential to be affected by these pressures and expectations. Each of the characters in the play have been affected and, in a variety of ways, live with problems ranging from eating and body image disorders to personality and mental disorders.
However, none of the characters have been more affected than Elizabeth Barrow Colt. Elizabeth, after suffering childhood traumas of her mother's depression
Clinical depression
Major depressive disorder is a mental disorder characterized by an all-encompassing low mood accompanied by low self-esteem, and by loss of interest or pleasure in normally enjoyable activities...
and attempts at suicide
Suicide
Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Suicide is often committed out of despair or attributed to some underlying mental disorder, such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, alcoholism, or drug abuse...
(beginning, progressing and ending with food and cooking) has left her with neurosis
Neurosis
Neurosis is a class of functional mental disorders involving distress but neither delusions nor hallucinations, whereby behavior is not outside socially acceptable norms. It is also known as psychoneurosis or neurotic disorder, and thus those suffering from it are said to be neurotic...
(a mild personality disorder in which obsessive thoughts and/or compulsive acts and feelings of anxiety are displayed) and an irrational fear of food. Already, Elizabeth had been a sensitive child, with issues surrounding mealtimes. Pressures to entertain during dinner evidently took the focus away from the food, fortunately, as her parent's eating habits turned her stomach. Constantly spitting food into her napkin, Elizabeth lived in an uncomfortable and stressful environment. However, this proves merely to be the root of Elizabeth's condition. It is assumed that Elizabeth is normal in every other aspect of her life. However, throughout the course of the play, it becomes clear that she does not cope well in social situations, especially those involving food and dining. Her issues are highlighted in a number of speeches, loudly and intensely given, exposing the disturbing and personal events of her past. The audience sees how this has left an individual hunger for normality, balance, comfort, the ability to eat in peace, and in doing so, enjoy food.