me in the novel. As noted by De Mott, "none of the three Tull children manages to cut loose from the family past; each is, to a degree stunted" (De Mott 14). Sheppard likewise claims that Beck "is the black hole round which his wife . . . and children . . . have had to exist" (76).
This theme of abandonment is symbolized by food and by the failure of the Tull family to ever finish any of their celebratory meals together. In this regard, the act of eating together as a family can be seen as symbol for the emotional nourishment which is provided by a healthy family. In addition to the fact that the Tulls always walk out on each other during their family meals, it is noted that Pearl is a "nonfeeder" to her children (Tyler 162). This reflects her failure to feed her family properly, and it also reflects her failure to provide emotional nourishment to her children. Jenny, unaccustomed to receiving emotional support, is described as being very skinny and obsessed with diets. Ezra, who wants to heal his family, becomes obsessed with the idea of feeding people emotionally nourishing food at his restaurant. Cody, resentful of his past, refuses to be much of an eater until he decides he is in love with Ruth and she persuades him to eat her food. Thus, again, Cody's way of winning Ruth associates food with love.
The second theme of Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant is related to Pearl's reaction to being abandon
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