Wood, Ralph C.Taylor, Laurel Audrey.Baylor University. Dept. of Religion.2007-12-032007-12-0320072007-12-03http://hdl.handle.net/2104/5092Includes bibliographical references (p. 113-118).According to Christian tradition, inappropriate eating is the occasion of humankind's fall from communion with God and one another, even as salvation from that inevitable isolation and death is effected through a Eucharistic feast in which God offers God's very Self to satisfy human hunger, reuniting human being to Godself and to each other. Thus it is that, in an almost primordial way, eating affects both salvation and damnation. The Christian tradition has acknowledged this phenomenon by parallel emphases on the need to penitently refrain from food as well as the need to joyously partake of food. The Church year dramatically embodies this paradox in the form of alternating feasts and fasts. Flannery O'Connor's "The Violent Bear it Away" and Isak Dinesen's "Babette's Feast" vividly illustrate the theological significance of feasting and fasting, both of which presuppose and expound a sacramental affirmation of the body as well as the inherent goodness of food and eating. A proper Christian understanding of feasting and fasting, therefore, especially in tandem with feminist criticism, offers a radical way of witness to a culture in which food is so problematic, weight preoccupation so commonplace, and eating disorders so prevalent.iv, 118 p.152647 bytes427574 bytesapplication/pdfapplication/pdfen-USBaylor University theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. Contact librarywebmaster@baylor.edu for inquiries about permission.Fasts and feasts -- Christianity.Food -- Religious aspects -- Christianity.Fasts and feasts in literature.ThesisWorldwide access