Natcho Cheese

In Short Friday, we are introduced to Shoshe and Shmul-Leibele, an elderly couple living modestly in their small house in a small town. The couple are both honest and always give to the poor or anyone in need. They are pious and take pride in upholding the rules and traditions of their Jewish faith. Shoshe and Shmul-Leibele are very committed to their faith, as almost all parts of their lives revolve around honoring their traditions and values. Shoshe, a committed wife shaved her head on her wedding day, dresses modestly, works hard at her home duties and takes prides in her devout simpleton husband.


In Babette’s Feast, we meet Martina and Philippa, two elderly sisters also living a modest life in their yellow house in a small town of Norway. The sisters are the daughters of a Dean, a religious man who established a congregation. The sisters are equally committed to their religion as Shoshe and Shmul-Leibele. Having forsaken love, fame and other earthly pleasures, the two sisters are devoted to maintaining the memory of their father and what few are left of the original congregation. Babette, is taken in by the sisters and much like Shoshe, takes charge of the kitchen and most of the house duties.

The greatest similarities between the novels however, are apparent during the main feasts. After scrimping by on meager portions all week, Shoshe manages to haggle with vendors and acquires fish and fine ingredients to prepare for her Sabbath meal. Shoshe works long and hard at preparing the bread loaf, the pastries and main dishes. Equally as effortful, she (with some help from her husband) cleans her house from top to bottom and meticulously prepares the tableware and linen for the grand dinner.

The day of the feast is referred to as the shortest day of the year since the town had been snowed in and no one was aware of the time of day. As Shoshe and Shmul-Leibele prepare to eat they open with the benediction, drink raisin wine, whiskey and sing hymns as they feast. Shoshe and Shmul-Leibele indulge as all the while candles cast a heavenly glow inside the room giving it a feeling of an earthly Paradise. At the end of the night Shmul-Leibele falls asleep from exhaustion but later awakes with an overwhelming desire to make love to his wife, and gives into his passion for her. Once again they fall asleep, and upon awakening they realize that they have died. As Shoshe and Shmul-Leibele lay together trying to make sense of what happened, an Angel of God comes and takes them to Paradise.

Much like Shoshe, Babette prepared very meager dinners for the two sisters for whom she cooked for the fourteen years she served them. Upon being granted the wish of making the dinner for the Dean’s 100th birthday celebration, she spares no expense and purchases the finest ingredients. Babette worked hard and passionately in preparing the feast, even hiring a helping boy. Babette also goes to lengths to purchase tablecloths, fine china and glassware to serve her fine food on.

Just as it had snowed in Short Friday it did so also on the day of the dinner party. As the guests came inside numb from the cold, they were greeted by the heavenly glow of the dinner candles. This warm glow coupled with the vision of their founding father inspired the congregation to join hands and break out into song. During the course of the meal, the congregation holds true to a promise made to Martine and do not say a word about the marvelous food they are eating, the only one not in on the secret is the General who is beside himself with ecstasy at the food and drink they are being served. The dinner party goes on to become a spiritual and euphoric experience for the congregation, as they sing and forgive each other for past wrong doings. At the nights end we discover Babette has used all her lottery money to fund the party and Philippa puts her arms around her and cries as she assures her that in Paradise she will enchant the angels and be the great artist God meant her to be.