Martine and Philippa, the two sisters of the Babette’s Feast, have been raised to have good morals. “Their father had been a Dean and prophet, the founder of a pious ecclesiastic party or sect, which was known and looked up to in all the country of Norway” (21). Both sisters not only have a well known father, but also the respect from the people in their community.
Even though Martine and Philippa have money, they live a normal life. They do have a young girl who comes and cleans their house for a fair amount of money, but that is about they only do this to help the youngster out. This is not the only good thing these two girls do for charity; both girls give Babbete shelter.
Babbete had fled from France due to the civil war that was taking place. She didn't have anything but the clothes she was wearing. The sisters decided to give her shelter and help her out. They did have their doubts about Babbete, but little did they know that Babbete was as amiable as they were.
I believe that Babbete was a recompense for all the good things that the sisters have done in hte past for others. Thanks to Babbete, they were able to learn new things, and most important of all, lean how to trust.
Dinesen, Isak. Anecdotes of Destiny ; And, Ehrengard. New York: Vintage, 1993.
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It is true that Babette seems to help the sisters out a lot, but throughout the story they seem to be very suspicious of Babette. EVene when Babette was planning the dinner, the sisters thought that she might poison themm. It is very ironic that the person who tries to help them the most, ends up being the one that they also doubt the most. Do you believe that Babette, after all these years, teaches them how to trust or that they themselves figure out that Babette is worthy of their trust?
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