1. An Introduction to Eggs, Figs and Milk

‘The fig is a very secretive fruit’ (Lawrence)

I will interpret the meaning and significance of the abundance of eggs, figs and milk in selected twentieth century literary texts, written by both men and women. These foods seem to connote femininity or female sexuality, and I am interested in exploring the meaning behind their inclusion in the texts.

The pieces of literature I will explore include;

1.     Margaret Atwood’s The Edible Woman (first published 1969),

2.     Anthony Burgess’ A Clockwork Orange (first published 1962),

3.     D.H. Lawrence’s ‘Figs’ (first published 1923).

Lawrence’s poem was written around a decade after the Suffragette Movement and first wave feminism in the early 20^th century, and the novels were written in the years preceding, during or post second-wave feminism in the late 1960’s. We may be able to deduce and interpret the author’s opinions of the contemporary treatment or presentation of women in society through the food they present in the texts.

Milk and eggs share a maternal relationship in humans and animals. Females from both species produce these products; cow’s milk and human breast milk are consumed by humans in adult life and infancy respectively, eggs laid by poultry are eaten by humans when unfertilised, and when fertilised, develop into a new being, whether from human egg or bird egg. Figs however share a relation to female sexuality purely through their aestheticism or similitude, due to their shape resembling the female sexual organ when cut in two.

Each post will contain a type of food that is presented in each literary text, along with possible interpretations of its use and how impactful and effective this is. I will consider how the foods themselves can change an apparent meaning of a text, and help the reader engage with the ideas or intentions of the author.

Natalya, Aksenova. “Hen.” Collins Dictionary, www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/hen.

Brighter Blooms. Photograph of a Fig Tree. Amazon, www.amazon.com/Fiddle-Leaf-Fig-Gallon-Pots/dp/B079T8G9DJ.

Purina Animal Nutrition. Image of a Cow. Purina Mills, 2018, www.purinamills.com/dairy-feed.