by Crystal King
We all have to eat, so the characters you’re writing about need to eat too. It’s such a fundamental part of who we are that it’s easy to overlook the power that food can bring to your story. Just as in our own world, the foods our characters eat, the drinks they consume, and the rituals surrounding these acts can profoundly shape their lives, cultures, and the very fabric of their societies. As writers, when we pay attention to the gastronomic details of our fictional worlds, we add layers of richness and authenticity that can transform a good story into an immersive experience.
Food and Drink in Religion and Mythology
The intersection of food and faith offers a cornucopia of possibilities for world-building. Throughout history, humans have offered food to the gods, from hearth-baked bread to elaborate animal sacrifices. The ancient Greeks and Romans poured wine libations to honor their deities. Many cultures buried food with the dead to sustain them in the afterlife. The ancient Egyptians filled tombs with honey cakes and beer, while some Native American tribes included favorite dishes of the deceased.
Many ancient rituals involve feeding the gods. The ancient Romans left their scraps on the floor so the ghosts of the family ancestors or the household gods would be nourished. Mosaics, frescoes, and paintings across the ages depict the gods having feasts, imagining what those feasts might be like. The ancient Greeks believed that the gods had a magical fruit, ambrosia, that gave them their power and strength. In my new novel, In The Garden of Monsters, which is a retelling of the myth of Hades and Persephone, pomegranate seeds are, of course, a major part of the plot.
Food also becomes symbolic in rituals. From fasting during Ramadan to meatless Fridays in the Catholic faith, food plays a central role in religious observance.
Many religions imbue foods with deep symbolic meaning: the apple in the Garden of Eden, the bread and wine in Christian communion, hot cross buns at Easter, moon cakes at the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival, latkes at Hanukkah, or in the case of Hinduism, a food familiar in other cultures—the cow—is instead sacred. In her bestselling novel Chocolat, Joanne Harris uses the Christian tradition of Lent to raise the stakes for the opening of a chocolate shop.
The Politics of Food and Drink
The late Anthony Bourdain once quipped, “There’s nothing more political than food.” He was right. The production, distribution, and consumption of food are deeply intertwined with political systems:
Throughout history, those who controlled the food supply often held the reins of power. The Roman “bread and circuses” kept the masses placated. Roman emperors and politicians rose to power by appealing to the poorest citizens and introducing a grain ration for its citizens. This ration, plus giving the people the gladiatorial games, helped those politicians receive the valuable votes needed for laws in the Senate. During the French Revolution, the scarcity of bread—a staple food—sparked outrage and contributed to the revolutionary fervor. Almost one hundred years ago, Gandhi’s salt march highlighted the political significance of even the most basic foodstuffs, leading to a broader movement against British colonial rule in India.
Then there is the food trade. Much of the food trade was built on the backs of slaves, whether feudal serfs paying taxes with chickens and pigs or African slaves who were the foundation of trading all manner of food, from sugar to melons and rum. Spice trade routes have shaped global politics for centuries. Frank Herbert took this idea to the stars in “Dune,” where control of the spice mélange drives interplanetary politics.
Food Security and Social Welfare
In any society, ensuring that people are fed is both a moral and political imperative. Modern governments often implement food assistance programs to protect the most vulnerable. During times of war or crisis, rationing systems become essential for survival. In Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale, food is strictly controlled by the ruling regime, reflecting the broader oppression of the society. The scarcity and rationing of food contribute to the atmosphere of fear and control, where even basic sustenance becomes a tool of subjugation.
In your fictional world, are there public programs that guarantee every citizen access to food, or are there stark inequalities? Perhaps food scarcity drives social conflict, with black markets thriving under the pressure. Alternatively, food abundance might be used as a tool of control, where those in power manipulate access to food to maintain their dominance.
Regulation and Safety
The presence or absence of food safety regulations can say a lot about a society. In Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle, the lack of food safety regulations in the early 20th-century meatpacking industry leads to horrifying conditions and public outcry, eventually prompting significant regulatory reforms. The novel illustrates how the absence of regulation can lead to widespread harm and societal change.
Agricultural Policies and Technology
The development and implementation of agricultural policies have profound effects on a society’s food production and distribution. In George Orwell’s Animal Farm, the pigs manipulate agricultural policies to consolidate power, leading to food shortages for the other animals. The novel highlights how those in control of food production can wield immense power over society.
Food as a Weapon
Food has been used as a weapon throughout history, from the ancient tactic of cutting off the food supply to cities under siege, to modern economic sanctions that starve nations into submission. In your narrative, perhaps the lack of food is slowly breaking the besieged inhabitants’ spirits. Or maybe a powerful nation is using vital supplies as a bargaining chip. The use of food in such a manner could add layers of intrigue and tension.
Food in Social Relationships and Cultural Identity
Food is more than just sustenance; it is a powerful connector in human relationships and a marker of cultural identity. Marjan Kamali’s The Lion Women of Tehran uses food as a way for characters to bond and form memories that will last a lifetime.
In your world, how do characters use food to connect with or distance themselves from others? Are there specific rituals or customs tied to food that define cultural identity?
Comfort and Memory
Food has the power to provide comfort in times of distress. Marcel Proust’s famous madeleine in In Search of Lost Time triggers a flood of childhood memories, illustrating how a simple taste can unlock profound emotions. In The Road by Cormac McCarthy, the father and son’s discovery of a can of peaches in a post-apocalyptic world becomes a moment of rare joy, highlighting how food can symbolize hope and survival.
Consider how food might play a similar role in your story. A character might prepare a particular dish when they need reassurance, or a specific flavor might trigger a memory that changes the course of the plot. Food can be a subtle yet powerful tool for deepening your characters’ emotional lives.
Celebration and Mourning
Food is integral to how we celebrate life’s milestones and mourn our losses. From wedding feasts to funeral meals, food is often at the center of these significant events. In your fictional culture, think about the role food plays in celebrations or mourning rituals. Perhaps these foods symbolize fertility, abundance, or the transition from life to death. Exploring these traditions can add depth to your world-building and provide insight into your characters’ beliefs and values.
Food in Economics and Technology
The economic and technological aspects of food production, distribution, and consumption reveal much about a society’s level of development. In Margaret Atwood’s Oryx and Crake, the dystopian world is shaped by advanced genetic engineering, where corporations control the food supply by creating genetically modified organisms designed to meet specific needs. The novel delves into the ethical ramifications of such technology, exploring the societal consequences when food becomes a product of scientific experimentation rather than natural agriculture. This future society raises questions about the cost of technological progress and its impact on humanity’s relationship with food.
How is food produced and distributed in your story? The level of technology available to your characters can profoundly affect their way of life, their diets, and their relationship with food.
Food and the Environment
The relationship between food production and the environment is complex and often fraught with conflict. In Julie Carrick Dalton’s The Last Beekeeper, the impact of climate change on agriculture is a central theme, exploring how environmental changes (such as the disappearance of bees) affect food production and the lives of those who depend on it.
The interaction between food and the environment can be a rich vein for world-building and storytelling, highlighting the interconnectedness of all living things.
When you sit down to write, consider not just what your characters eat but also why they eat it, how they obtain it, who they share it with, and what it means to them. Let the aromas waft from the page, and let the flavors dance in your readers’ imaginations. Whether it’s a shared meal that cements an alliance, a forbidden fruit that drives the plot, or a character’s comfort food that reveals their past, the world of food offers endless possibilities to enhance your storytelling.
Food and drink are far more than mere sustenance, both in our world and in the realms of fiction. They are the threads that weave through the tapestry of culture, religion, politics, and personal identity. By paying attention to the gastronomic details of your fictional world, you create a richer, more immersive experience for your readers.
