SparkNotes says, in description of T.S. Eliot's Burnt Norton:
This famous line (garlic and sapphires) juxtaposes a series of random things...the collage-like arrangements of this section form a nearly coherent whole, a meaningless song that sounds traditional but isn't. Again fragments and ruins stand in defiance of human aspirations... "
Excuse me for quoting a source that may or may not be considered credible to us. But I do believe that these lines have some insight to offer concerning Reichl's choice to make 'Garlic and Sapphires' the title of her novel.
Burnt Norton is the name of an old ruined country house, and in the first verse of his poem Eliot describes a rose garden there. He makes these two somewhat opposite ideas flow and fit together in the image he paints for us. Simarly, garlic and sapphires are two completely disjoint words and yet somehow they still flow.
I love the idea of "fragments and ruins stand(ing) in defiance of human aspirations," and I think this has a lot to do with Reichl's story. I think the sapphires represent human aspirations. A definition of 'aspire' is "to work towards a profession or occupation."
Within the story, they represent the stuck up critics who believe that only their own opinion is correct. These critics have worked for their aspirations, and committed the human mistake of putting down others.
The garlic represents the "fragments and ruins." Garlic is a seemingly plain herb, yet it has a strong and sharp taste.
Within the story, the garlic represents the normal, everyday people that Ruth aspires to become when reviewing top restaurants. Molly, Mirium, and especially Betty appear to be normal people, yet they stand in defiance against critics who only review restaurants that the elite can afford. Reichl takes fragments of people's lives and molds them into a strong character that is willing to take the heat from her readers as she gives an honest review.
These were a bunch of random thoughts- i apologize if they are confusing. What do you guys think?
I am hoping there will be some other mention of Garlic and Sapphires in the book. If that quote from the most recent reading was the only mention of it, is it really important or thought-provoking enough to be the title? I do not like it when authors try to be really metaphorical when it is not really necessary. I am hoping "garlic and sapphires" will make itself known further in the book and earn the right to be the title.
ReplyDeleteI do think ,however, the description of the metaphor in your post was interesting and thoughtful.
"Garlic and sapphires in the mud..." I thought about how onions are usually thought of as nasty, smelly, maybe vulgar things and sapphires are treasured, expensive, and upper class. But if they're in mud, then they become the same thing. I don't really know where I'm going with this but something along those lines. Ruth was acting like she was all high-and-mighty. She needs to bring herself down a notch. Take a mud bath. She is the same as the people who read her articles and wish they could eat at those restaurants as well as the people who fly from across the world to eat there. Pour some mud on the world and everyone is the same.
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