The Night Wanderer

The food and drink that different characters consume is an important symbol throughout the novel, for the characters’ interactions with food represent their emotions. Almost every example of food in the novel illustrates how characters perceive themselves and others. For example, the syrup brings back positive memories to both Pierre and Keith, helping them to bond. By contrast, Tiffany uses the dismal French fries of her last date with Tony to express her outrage over his betrayal. Often the type of food matters less than the way it is presented. After one of Tiffany and Keith’s explosive fights, Granny Ruth makes fried chicken, green beans, and potatoes, but Tiffany only eats half the meal. Although the meal itself is a proper dinner that represents their family’s attempt at togetherness, Tiffany rejects it in her anger. The author frequently uses food as a symbol to explore variations on the theme of Juxtaposing Ancient and Modern Lifestyles, and special emphasis is often given to the modernity or tradition of acquiring or consuming various foods.

Food is additionally relevant because Pierre cannot eat it without getting sick, and this physical attribute symbolizes his fundamental separation from all that humanity has to offer, for his vampiric nature compels him to reject human connections and emotions. He pretends to take bites of food to blend in, and when he consumes any human food, such as the syrup, it helps him to reclaim a vestige of his humanity. Accordingly, the blood for which he hungers is separated within the novel from “food” and is portrayed as a dangerous and sinister desire; Pierre’s determined fasting therefore represents his commitment to return to who he once was.