49 pages • 1 hour read
Jennifer RyanThe Kitchen Front: A Novel
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2021A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Symbols & Motifs
Recipe Books
Although food forms the heart of the novel, numerous treasured recipe books appear as extensions not only of the food, but of those who cook, taste, and enjoy it. Much like meals themselves, books in each instance symbolize something greater than its core pieces: a gateway to memories and history. Early in the novel, when Nell and Mrs. Quince are considering the first round of the contest, they look to ancient recipe books that have been stored away in Sir Strickland’s manor. They come across a book from their household dating to 1728, more than two centuries before the story takes place. Through it, they get a glimpse into the food of the past and the practices of seasonal cooking, predating new laws that restrict hunting certain animals to certain times. The book also uses different spellings and terminology that illustrate the way culinary language has changed over time.
Another recipe book that plays an important role is the current Fenley Hall guide owned by Mrs. Quince. When Mrs. Quince understands that she doesn’t have much longer to live, she passes her recipe book onto Nell. In this way, both Nell and the reader understand that the book is more than simply a collection of notes; it’s a symbol of Mrs. Quince’s place in the world, her legacy, and her trust in her mentee. The recipe book serves as a threshold for Nell to pass through on the next level of her journey: “She would have to cook by herself, using her own expertise, with only the treasured recipe book for guidance” (323). Later, as Nell explores the book further, she discovers that the book has an even greater history to share: It was owned by the hall’s prior cook, Mrs. Newton, who served as mentor to Mrs. Quince (then Eileen) in the same way Mrs. Quince mentored Nell. In this way, the recipe book represents Nell’s place in a much larger history of strong, brave women expressing themselves through food.
Another recipe book that plays a smaller though equally powerful role is the one belonging to Audrey and Gwendoline’s mother. Of all the women, Gwendoline has the most difficult relationship with food because it represents her broken relationship with her mother. Food was something shared between her mother and Audrey alone, and Gwendoline expresses her pain by remembering her mother’s book: “Audrey had their mother’s recipe book, while she was left behind, as always, trying to make everything from scratch” (159-60). In this way, Gwendoline sees the book as a symbol not only of her mother’s favoritism, but of her own constant battle to make her own way in life.
Bees
In the novel, bees become a link to Audrey’s childhood and a way to breathe life back into her challenging days. Like cooking, they come with their own set of folklore and superstitions: “[T]radition dictated that you didn’t buy bees. You had to exchange them for things, services, or love” (75). This parallels the novel’s message of food as an act of connection.
Another tradition dictates that one needs to talk to bees and keep them informed of events and upheavals in the household. This elevates them to something greater than produce or livestock, more akin to a symbiotic relationship or community. Audrey shares this tradition with her sons, which leads them to speak to the bees about their family dynamic and Audrey’s lost husband. Later, Zelda uses this tradition to try and prove herself worthy of Audrey’s household: “[S]he didn’t flinch, didn’t anger them. She just existed among them” (302). The moment forces Zelda to be honest with herself about her situation and allows Audrey to see her uncharacteristic vulnerability, which brings them closer together.
Later, Audrey uses some of the bees’ honey to prepare her final dish for the cooking contest. In order to steal the honey, Audrey and her sons need to treat the bees with respect and compassion. When they taste it, Audrey reflects that the honey contains flavors of the flowers grown in her own garden. Here, the honey comes to represent a deep connection with the land. This link Audrey has to her own home forms the center of her story, with most of her ingredients coming from her own homestead and being put toward the fight to save her home. For Audrey, the bees become a symbol of connection and hope. She remembers and clings to a line once spoken by her mother: “In any case, bees know that everything will work itself out. […] Whatever happens in life, everything will be all right in the end” (79).
Recipes
The recipes supplied within the novel are used as both a recurring motif and a literary device. Unlike some of the techniques described within the narrative, they vary in historical accuracy; the recipes are intended to be a window into wartime cookery, but also practical guides that readers can use and apply in their own lives. For example, each recipe lists the cooking temperature in both Fahrenheit (for North American cooking) and Celsius (for European cooking). In reality, British wartime recipes would have used Fahrenheit or, more likely, no temperatures at all. The recipes shown in the novel are also more detailed than traditional recipes would have been, using the style of modern cookbooks.
In some instances, the author alludes to wartime substitutions—for example, “Mrs. Quince’s Wartime Special Occasion Cake” lists in its ingredients list: “2 eggs, or 2 tablespoons dried egg powder, reconstituted” (342). “Audrey’s Eggless Apple and Honey Cake” calls for “½ tablespoon icing or confectioners’ sugar (if you don’t have any due to the rationing, use plain flour)” (361). The discrepancy between eggs and egg powder is alluded to several times throughout the novel, and the cooks in the story often look for alternatives to their precious sugar. These adjustments in the featured recipes are not meant to be taken seriously but heighten the sense of immersion and give the reader a sense of what it would be like to prepare food during this time period.
Each recipe featured is also one that plays a role in the story. For instance, Mrs. Quince’s cake is a beloved recipe that holds sentimental value for Nell while “Paolo’s Chicken Cacciatore” is a turning point in Nell’s life that opens her up to new experiences. Others, such as “Gwendoline’s Eggless Chocolate Sponge Cake” (223), reflect moments of connection and renewal for the characters. By giving the reader a closer look at the way these meals are put together, the author gives the story a new creative dimension.
