Nice to Eat With You:
Acts of Communion by Thomas Foster
Presentation by: Madeline Gillman
Been swimming for 8 years...
English II...2nd year at Lake Norman High School...
2013-2014...
What is communion?
"Breaking bread together is an act of sharing and peace, since if you're breaking bread you're not breaking heads"(8)
- "Breaking bread" , as Foster says, is a form of communion
- Communion is the sharing and the becoming of a community.
- This makes communion a symbol of harmony and appreciation.
Forms of communion
"I want to be with you, you want to be with me, let us share the experience. And thats the point: communion doesn't need to be holy. Or even decent"(9).
- Communion isn't only religious, it's an act of acceptance between people whether its in a religious place or in a local restaurant
- The difference in communion in literature and everyday life is, in literal communion, events happen that affect a characters future's and friendships.
Foster's view of communion in literature
- Meals in literature have a deeper reason behind them. Whether it's reviling a new friendship or the complete opposite.
Positive examples in literature
Positive Example:
"Eating with another is a way of saying, "I'm with you, I like you, we form a community together." And that is a form of communion"(8).
- Accepting someone's offer for food symbolizes a communion of acceptance, approval, and friendship.
Negative examples in literature
Negative Example:
"If a well-run meal or snack that tends good things for community and understanding, then the failed meal stands as a bad sign"(11).
- A meal gone wrong in literature ends in enemies, broken relationships, or other negative events resulting in the leaving of a character. Just like in harry potter...
Examples in Other Books
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban: Chapter two, Aunt Marge's Big Mistake
Communion
Turning point
Reaction
Dinner turns ugly.
Aunt Marge's leaving, and the end of a bad dinner, creates an enemy between Harry and Aunt Marge. It also creates an enemy relationship between Harry and his other Aunt, uncle, and cousin.
The spark to a new adventure
But, it is the start of a quest.... Just like when Foster says in chapter 1, the quester must leave his home to began his journey.
Off on his own
This failed communion brought Harry to the beginning of his quest, but hurt his family relationships in the process.
Learning More of Communion Through Other Texts
Think, Pair, Share!
- Each student will read the passage from Monkeys.
- With the notes students have taken, they will discuss and answer a question with a partner.
- We will discuss the text as a class and share answers/views.