How To Read A Book Like A Professor Chapter 2

Communion in Literature

• "Breaking Bread Together" represents the act of sharing and promoting peace among individuals.
• A "Sexual Meal" remains a concept that has never been represented as consumable.
• "Consuming Desire" is described through vivid imagery of eating, emphasizing a more visceral experience with phrases like "chomping" and "licking fingers."

Symbolism of Meals

• Communion transcends a mere meal; it embodies a deeper significance that doesn't necessarily require a sacred context.
• Sharing food acts as a demonstration of loyalty, kinship, and generosity, such as a soldier sharing rations or a boy sharing food with a stray dog.
• Sometimes, a meal can be purely functional, stripped of deeper significance.

Rituals and Gatherings

• Across religions, communal meals often serve as social or liturgical rituals that unite adherents in fellowship through shared sustenance.
• "Communion" occurs whenever people come together to eat and drink, fostering connection and community.
• Celebrating "Life" through communion emphasizes its role in promoting vitality rather than marking death or holiday observances.

Social Context of Food

• Meals can be enjoyed among family, friends, and acquaintances, highlighting the social nature of food sharing.
• "Religious Communion" revolves around shared meals that carry a holy purpose, reinforcing spiritual connections.
• A "joint" signifies a substance that is partaken in during communal eating, marking the experience as ritualistic and significant.

Implications of Meals

• The success of a well-run meal is seen as a positive sign for community cohesion, while a failed meal serves as a "Bad Sign," indicating potential discord or misunderstanding.