Comparing Divakaruni's The Mirror Of Fire And Dreaming

1207 Words5 Pages

mothers used when they had money” (CB 35). Alupakoras are golden brown balls of potato mix, dipped in banter in a huge wok and deep-fried.
Even the second part of the trilogy, The Mirror of Fire and Dreaming,is incorporated with several references to food. This novel takes the readers three hundred years back in time when nawabs ruled over Bengal. Thus the special focus of the novel is on the detailed descriptions of the luscious and tempting food enjoyed by the nawabs of Bengal. Patricia D. Lothrop states in this regard:
Divakaruni’s novel offers the flavors, sounds, sights, and stories of past and present Bengal. The description of a jinn is masterly, and the values (don’t run away; think for yourself; don’t expect to be good at everything; use kindness and humility, not force) are solid, but unexceptionable.
The apprentices at the Brotherhood are served lavish and elaborate Bengali delicacies made fromthe vegetables and fruits grown at their own farm. Divakaruni gives an elaborate account of abundant, exuberant and sumptuous meals served:
. . . served fragrant, steaming rice; soft wheat chapatis fresh from the tawa, still puffed up; rich stews of lentils in jewel colors; eggplant simmered in a spicy …show more content…

The food at the dinner party hosted by Haider Ali is served ingold plates. It comprises of fragrant rice pulao, savoury fried chicken, goat and lamb curries, and vegetable kurmas of several kinds. Each guest is also given a hookah to smoke.According to the customs of the nawabs of Bengal, a woman usually does not appear in front of male guests or serve them food. However, Haider Ali asks his niece Paribanou (Nisha) to serve dinner to noblemen to show the guests that he considers them his brothers and Paribanou is like their own

Open Document