Babette

BABETTE / FEMALE ROLE MODEL

The figure of Babette from Blixen’s Babette’s Feast has always been a source of inspiration, and I take great pleasure in lecturing and talking about this woman-figure.

With a strong relation to France and world history, Babette takes us through a palette of emotions by telling the incredible story of her life.

The story of Babette links some of the great themes of life in one, short tale: history, love, gastronomy.

For Babette, it is a joy and consolation to bring delight to others, to see them enjoying themselves. This joy, the fruit of fraternal love, is not that of the vain and self-centred, but of lovers who delight in the good of those whom they love, who give freely to them and thus bear good fruit.

I have given numerous presentations on this theme; one of the most wonderful occasions was without doubt in 2018 when I was invited to talk about Babette at the Garrick Club in London by the Garrick Club Association.

”By thy Mask I shall know Thee” says the Cardinal in Blixen’s tale ”The Deluge at Norderney” from Seven Gothic Tales” published in 1934 under the pseudonyme Isak Dinesen. The book is published on 9 April 1934 by Harrison Smith and Robert Haas in New York, and gets an enthusiastic reception by the public. On 22 April, the publisher reveals Isak Dinesen’s true identity.

Playing with masks, unveiling them and putting on new ones is an art of Blixen’s.

In Gabriel Axel’s magnificent movie ”Babette’s Feast” from 1986, he tells his version of Blixen’s story about the French chef Babette who escapes from The Paris Commune in 1871. She becomes the interface so to speak between her French identity and the local Danish community.

Yet it is difficult to wear more than one mask at a time. You have to settle with one. One by one.