This study will analyze Kaye Gibbons novel Ellen Foster, focusing on the motif of food as a means of understanding the development of the character of Ellen, specifically in terms of her ability to move from such mundane (but obviously basic) needs as food to a love for her "colored" friend Starletta.
The preoccupation of Ellen with food serves as a recurring motif throughout the book. This motif is used by Gibbons to highlight the hunger Ellen experienced as a younger child, the continuing sense of physical and emotional insecurity which is intimately related to that lack of food, and the self-centered concerns of the character that are reflected in her obsession with food. The fact that by the end of the novel Ellen is able to finally gain some sense of herself, of security and happiness, and finally come to see the great worth of her friend is a sign that she has moved well beyond her self-centeredness and take the risk of truly loving another human being. This is especially meaningful in the relationship between Ellen and Starletta because, up to that point of opening herself to her love for her friend, Ellen made clear that she considered herself superior to Starletta because of her friend's race.
On the second page of the book, Ellen refers to food, noting that in her foster home
There is a plenty to eat here and if we run out of something we just go to the store and get some more. I had me a egg sandwich for breakfast, mayonnaise on both sides. And I may fix me another for lunch (2).
Despite the fact that Ellen has as much food as she needs or wants in her new home, the very fact that she makes so much of it is a sign that she still does not take it for granted, that she continues to fear that at any moment she could lose the security symbolized by having "plenty to eat," and that she is still obsessed with securing for herself the most basic of human needs. She has "plenty to eat," but at this point she still ...