The Meal, a poem by Susan Berger, symbolically describes how human beings require more than just food, shelter, and clothing to thrive. Our material needs can be met or can even be over indulged, yet we are not happy. We require food for the soul to feel fulfilled and fully alive. Ms. Berger poignantly paints a picture in her poem of children who have all their material needs met yet are starving for emotional and spiritual nourishment. Even in the Bible it is written that Man cannot live by bread alone. .
The poem begins with the image of children sitting down to eat a meal with the family. The scene is described in detail to show the perfectly groomed children, emphasizing no mistakes or flaws in their outward appearance or behavior, having washed their faces until they are pale/ their homework is beautifully complete (1/2), and their hands are perfectly oval and as smooth as pine nuts (4-5). The Girls have perfectly braided their hair and have tied their ribbons without a single mistake (6). The reader can feel with these few chosen words that despite their outward appearance, these children are miserable. Even the rhythm of the poem is flat and the mood is somber.There is no feeling of warmth, nurturing, or love, but rather the speaker presents an uptight, stifling, and somewhat rigid tone with stark images reflecting the emptiness or void of warm, friendly, happy emotions. The rhythm is flat and the mood is uncertain. Like the quiet before a storm there is an undercurrent of an emotional storm brewing. There is no color or richness, like a quiet piece of music with a hint of dissonance.
It is not clear in the poem exactly what circumstances are creating this bleak environment for the children. Perhaps it is authoritative, strict parents. They might be trying too hard to raise their children to be well behaved. Although children who are raised under authoritarian parents are well behaved, they grow up to have lower self-esteem, lower self-confidence, lower social skills and are at risk for more depression and anxiety.
