10 on 1: Babette’s Feast, Essay Example

Babette’s Feast is a Danish film that was released in 1987 in a remote location in Jutland. The film features two sisters enjoying their secluded and humble life among parishioners in a church once led by their late father. Suddenly, Babette, a French woman, knocks at their doorstep after fleeing from a bloody revolution in her native country. With no family to shelter her, the sisters send her to a sanctuary. Later, the sisters take Babette as a servant to help them in maintaining their property and helping in charity work. After fourteen years of service, Babette wins a lottery that was maintained by a friend in France. The two sisters feared that their helpful servant and friend had an opportunity to return home. Instead, Babette asks for a chance to cook French dinner in remembrance of the two sisters’ father. Although the two sisters accepts her offer, fear and suspicion grows in the small congregation as they wonder whether Babette’s extravagance would conflict with their native ascetic beliefs.

The first question that arises is the importance of Babette’s 10,000 francs. In this film, 10,000 francs represents the lottery ticket that Babette won after fourteen years. Owing to the fact that Babette was in a foreign country, Denmark, and wanted to return home, the sisters thought Babette would use the money to return home. On the contrary, she decides to prepare dinner that would mark 100^th birthday of sister’s deceased father. After cooking, the sisters are surprised that there were live animals included in the menu and that Babette intended to serve wine. One of the sisters dreams of hellfire, and, as a result urges other urges other not to taste the food. From this discussion, the 10,000 francs has been used to develop themes of satisfaction and religion in the film. Babette and her sisters believed that money could create satisfaction while also acknowledged that there is plenty of food in heaven.

In this example, does the uncomfortable state of villagers in the feast reflect on their ascetic beliefs? After the arrival of Lorens, former suitor to Martine, there is a stir from the congregation due to his status in Queen’s court. He regales about the abundance of food and drinks in the dinner. The rest of the congregation is superstitious about French foods and beverages since they claim that they represent earthly pleasures in a religious community. On the contrary, Babette’s treat alleviates their superstitions and distrust, elevating them spiritually and physically. The end of this dinner marks a new beginning when all ancients wrongs are forgotten and fresh loves are rekindled. A mystical redemption and reconciliation of spirits settle over the dinner table.

Do the two unmarried woman sisters and Babette make sacrifices that affect their personal lives? The two sisters live a solitary in the sanctuary. They draw converts to their father’s church although the congregation was dwindling and comprising mainly of aging people. As their father demanded, the decline proposals from many suitors just as their father wanted. Each daughter is courted by renowned suitors, but rejects them all. In addition, Babette uses all her 10,000 franc in cooking French dinner for the Jutland community. She is committed by build friendship with local natives in order to reconcile her native country, France, with Denmark. After spending all the money, she is unable to return to her country and decides to continue working for the two sisters and as a servant.

What is the significance of the two sisters and Babette in serving the poor? When Babette arrives in Jutland, the two sisters take her to the sanctuary to serve in their father’s church. Later, they are impressed with her humility and ask her to join in helping the poor. Although Babette acts as a servant, the two sisters are also servants to the church and to children home. One of the sisters quits her role as a singer to help in serving orphans. Additionally, Babette take up the role of serving children home voluntarily. Although she has the drive to return to her native country, she feels she has a role to play in Jutland.

Babette’s Feast is a film about superstitions and reconciliation. In her view, Babette wanted to use exotic and sumptuous ingredients in her French cooking to bring out the good side of France. She sacrifices all her money in organizing the dinner to display her character of selflessness in matters of national importance. Although the congregation is superstitious before the start of the party, her actions, and service override their ascetic beliefs. Notably, sacrifice is an important element in this film as illustrated by financial investment on foods and drinks. It marks a new beginning where the community accepts new customs and beliefs originating from France. In addition, sacrifices show respect as illustrated by the two sisters. One of them rejects many suitors while the other quits her singing career to serve in the church, as it was the wish of their deceased father.