Example Of Essay On Christian Meaning And Symbolism In Babettes Feast

No one needs to be an expert in film analysis to observe then conclude that Babette’s Feast, which was directed by Gabriel Axel and was released for public viewing in 1987, could qualify as a religious film, is about fine cuisine, or religious awakening. The reason behind such analysis is that the film revolves around the life of two religiously devote woman and the small community that they preside, and the central event is a feast of fine cuisine. Nevertheless, it takes a much deeper analysis in order to realize that Babette’s Feast is more than just fine cuisine and spiritual awakening – it is an art masterpiece that hides within its characters the symbols of the Christian faith.
One of the most profound doctrines and the source of hope among Christians is the doctrine of resurrection. According to the Christian teachings, everyone in this world, after they have died, will be given the chance to live again. This process of “living again” is termed resurrection. Resurrection pertains to the process wherein the body, which has decade to the ground, will be raised up again and the same spirit that inhabited it - while it was still a living flesh – will be placed again in it so that the two will live again as one. The living resurrected soul shall then be judged according to their works – those who have been valiant in keeping the Christian teachings will receive the “fullness of joy” or “eternal life.” Note that eternal life is the pinnacle of the blessings that could be given to any obedient Christian. The doctrine of resurrection is so important that when the apostle Paul wrote to the members of the Christian church in Corinth, he explained that, “But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith is also vain. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins” (1 Corinthians 15: 12 – 19). The being who is responsible in making resurrection possible is Jesus Christ. The Christian teachings further explain that it is through his sacrifice that he was able to defeat death. This sacrifice is the sacrifice of his very life – the ultimate and the most profound sacrifice of all. It is also through his sacrifice that he gained the power over death, to unite again the body and spirit of man to create the living soul that is capable of inheriting the priced blessing of all, which is eternal life.
Gabriel Axel must have had an extensive indoctrination of the Christian faith, or at least knew the doctrine of resurrection so well that he managed to personify all the aforementioned principles in Babette’s Feast. The major characters could represent certain facets of the doctrine of resurrection. In the film the characters Martine and Philippa symbolizes pure spirituality or the spirit, their suitors Lorenz Lowenhielm and Achille Papin secularity or matter (bodies), Babette symbolizes Jesus Christ, and Babette’s feast symbolizes the Christ triumph over death – the power to unite the spirit and the body or the spiritual with the material.
In the story, the two sisters Martine and Philippa lived the spiritual teachings of their religious sect. One of their major teachings is to undermine material or physical appetite. In order to practically manifest this doctrine, they do not each luxurious food or tasteful food. They also never married because a married life would spark physical pleasures which they wanted to avoid. Lorenz Lowenhielm and Achille Papin came to the lives of the aforementioned sisters, with the intention of befriending them and hopefully becoming their future husbands. The two men were mesmerized by the by the physical and spiritual beauty of the two, but since their ideologies will not meet, they chose to pursue their respective course in life – the two men were in-tune to achieving secular success. One day a stranger knocked on the doorsteps of the two sisters. The stranger’s name was Babette. Out of compassion, the two sisters took Babette to their home – Babette became their house keeper and helper, cooking food for them and the congregation. It was also through Babette that they have managed to feed many poor and needy people. It was Babette who prepared the exquisite dinner which is “Babette’s feast.” Initially, the two sisters were reluctant to allow such feast to transpire in their congregation. But, in the end, the entire congregation and Lorenz Lowenhielm were able to partake of the feast. Upon partaking of the feast all were astonished at the exquisite taste of food prepared for them. The taste of the food made them experience a spiritual awakening, that while they were eating, they began to talk to each other and forgave each other trespasses. In other words, they began to feel a fullness of joy. At the end of the feast, they were so happy that they held each other’s’ hands, formed a circle and then danced merrily beneath the moonlight. Their happiness was at its peak – there was no happiness like it that any of them experienced prior to the feast. With this event, it clear that the food or the feast, indeed, symbolizes the power of Jesus Christ to unite the spiritual – the food itself is material but its effects are spiritual to the people who ate it. Lorenz Lowenhielm also came into agreement with the two sisters – which could be interpreted as the unification of the body and spirit. It was in this unification that they felt the happiness which they have never ones felt before they partook of the feast. Interestingly, it was through the sacrifice of Babette that the feast was made possible. Accordingly, the money used to buy the ingredients as well as the amenities for the feast were al bought by Babette. The money which was used in buying the said materials came from Babette’s winnings in a lottery, which should he could have used for himself to return to his home and live a new and less stressful life as he is the fabled Chef.
In conclusion, Babette’s Feast, do contain much religious symbolism, particularly of the Christianity’s doctrine on resurrection. Gabriel was able to successfully do this by using human characters and events in the film to correspond to different and distinct Christian doctrine concepts. It is also conclude in this essay that it takes a good understanding of the Christian faith and a deep analysis of the film in order to recognize the deeper religious and secular relevance of the said film.