Hi everyone!
Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe is an excellent book! I just finished reading it (second time) and am looking forward to our live discussion. I saw the film before I read the book (the first time) and I am eager to compare both with you. I think Fannie Flagg wrote an amazing book (sobbed at the end) and did a wonderful job with the screenplay considering things had to be edited from the novel. I've included some discussion questions as well as some photos, music, and other interesting facts.
The Whistle Stop Cafe today
A great review of the film: Fried Green Tomatoes
Music from the book (pg.118-119):
From the film
The following questions are found in the back of the book, but I thought I would list them here as well for you to view:
1) This novel has a very complex structure alternating between the past and the present and the point of view of a whole host of different characters. did this narrative format work for you? Were there particular narrators you found more compelling than others and why?
2) This novel has a great deal to say about race relations in the South. How did the black and white communities interact in this story both within and beyond the borders of Whistle Stop? Were Idgie and Ruth's egalitarian views on race typical?
3) This is on ly one example in a novel full of non-traditional families. What are some other exampes of familiarl bonds that do not look like a traditional nuclear family? How does this author challenge and epand our understanding of the meaning and structure of family?
4) How did Evelyn's relationship with Ninny Threadgoode change her life? What did she learn from Mrs. Threadgoode? And how did Evelyn help her friend?
5) How does this story explore the process of aging? How do we die with dignity when all those we loved and who loved us are gone? How does Ninny manage?
6) Is domestic violence viewed differently today than it was in Ruth's time? Do you see any changes in Ruth's character after she leaves her abusive marriage?
7) How would you describe the relationship between Idgie and Ruth? Was it more than friendship?
"You're a bee charmer, Idgie Threadgoode, that's what you are..." (p.87)
*More to come*
U should watch the DVD special features on the author.
ReplyDeleteLB-Great questions to ponder. I will have to come back later and answer them.
ReplyDeleteHey OB! No worries. We still have a week before our discussion. I'm using this time to go back and pick things out in the book.
ReplyDeleteU Said: "This novel has a very complex structure alternating between the past and the present and the point of view of a whole host of different characters. did this narrative format work for you? Were there particular narrators you found more compelling than others and why?"
ReplyDeleteI really liked the complex structure. It made the story more compelling. Also alternating from past and present and hearing the story told from different perspectives it added more texture to the environment.
DeleteI agree with you OB and yet like I posted earlier on here, it seemed to make the book and movie almost different stories. The book seemed to focus more on the people and town of Whistle Stop where the film focused on Idgie and Ruth. I liked both, but liked the character development of the girls in the film better.
DeleteI don't the filmmaker had any other choice but to center it around these three women. I think books are easier to focus on broad strokes because u have more time to paint unlike a film. LOL!!
DeleteU Said: "This novel has a great deal to say about race relations in the South. How did the black and white communities interact in this story both within and beyond the borders of Whistle Stop? Were Idgie and Ruth's egalitarian views on race typical?"
ReplyDeleteI thought the depiction of race relations were handled well in this story. The black characters were three dimensional and not portrayed as caricatures, which u often see in stories like this.
I loved Big George. He was a great presence and I loved that he looked after her when Ruth left and Idgie had run away from home. I love that Idgie and Ruth don't treat their black friends any differently. They don't see color.
DeleteI'm glad Ms Flagg mentioned the men in white robes because that was very much a part of southern history. I thought she wrote it tastefully.
U Said: I'm glad Ms Flagg mentioned the men in white robes because that was very much a part of southern history. I thought she wrote it tastefully.
DeleteITA This is always a touchy subject and I thought Ms. Flagg and the film adaptation did respectful job of not breezing over the subject by ignoring the big elephant.
LB-I'm posting my answers now because I will be working late tonight. However, I will come back tomorrow and finish answering your wonderful questions.
ReplyDeleteU Said: "This is on ly one example in a novel full of non-traditional families. What are some other exampes of familiarl bonds that do not look like a traditional nuclear family? How does this author challenge and epand our understanding of the meaning and structure of family?"
ReplyDeleteI loved the way the author shows how family can be whomever and whatever u choose it to be. I think when we become an adult u find your nuclear family can't always provide u with all the support u need. Not to say u are trying to replace your nuclear family but not everyone grows up with the best parents or siblings in the world. Also, sometimes people can't move beyond who they were when they were a teen etc...and adopt certain beliefs and can't grow. I think in this story the author shows how the main character maturity got stunted after the death of her brother and how her family enabled her. I have more to say about thi, I will come back later. Sorry!
OB said: "Not to say u are trying to replace your nuclear family but not everyone grows up with the best parents or siblings in the world."
DeleteIsn't that the truth!!! Or if you are like me, an only child, you make your family through your friends. I loved Stump and I thought he had a great family made up of his mom, Idgie, Sipsy, Big George and all the other "family" members.
Hi OB!
ReplyDeleteNo problem! I'm going to be in and out all day as well, but will be posting when I can. :)
Did you get a chance to listen to the music from the artists I mentioned? I love the songs and have listened to them over and over.
No, I will listen to the music and come back and give u my thoughts.
DeleteHi New and returning readers! Feel free to comment or ask any questions. Remember our discussions are always on going and if you find us a a later time but would like to contribute to the discussion, please do! We are always checking our archives to make sure we haven't missed anyone. :
ReplyDeleteOk, now after having read the book and watched the movie again, in a way, I feel like it's two different stories. But just slightly. As mentioned earlier, there are many different POVs in the book and more characters. In the film, the focus is primarily on Evelyn and Ninny, and Idgie and Ruth. The other characters don't have as much acknowledgment or existence. I think the film gives us more character development for Ruth and Idgie but their relationship is completely different in the book. I'll get back to that.
ReplyDeleteI would give the book a 4 and the movie a 5, solely because I got to know the characters better. What do you think OB? I think scenes played out better in the film, for instance, with Evelyn and her husband/Towanda moments.
I read this book a long time ago. From what I remember the story was simple but the characters were very witty. I do think the film is much better than the book. I don't have the book in front of me and I saw the movie a few weeks ago and returned it to the library already. However, I do have the book on hold for me at the library and I will pick it up tomorrow and come back and answer your questions.
DeleteRegarding Stump, or Buddy Jr.:
ReplyDeleteI liked that he was a bigger character in the book! I loved watching him grow up and learn through little lessons here and there how to become a man. My favorite part with him was him going to Peggy Hadley's prom. That boy did NOT want to go and he was so annoyed by her! hahahaha!!! And she had always been in love with him. Wouldn't you know, all it took was her taking off her glasses and looking him all sweetly in the eye and saying "goodnight" for him to go bananas and lose his mind and marry her!!!! LOVED IT!!!
From Jess (who can't reply on her iphone):
ReplyDeleteOk first TY LB for posting this! I give FGT a 4. I found the constant date changing and back and forth tiring. My ADD brain needs constant stability in a story. So when it goes back and forth MORE then one decade I start to get annoyed. I loved the history Flagg created. It was so real. She painted real characters in the depression and it was great. I didnt like the dead ends in some parts. The movie I have to say was WAY better then the book. It made more sence where it really filled in the blanks the book left out. I found the beginning and end really dissapointing. Mrs. Threadgoode was all over the place with telling the story. AND the end I didnt like that Idgie didnt turn out to be Mrs. Threadgoode like the movie hinted. It read like a screenplay IMO. And Im actually happy Flagg helped with the movie screenplay. Because the movie is better. Just is. Not saying I didnt enjoy the book because I really did. Just wished more was awnsered overall.
Jess,
DeleteReally great review.