I'm so glad you asked this question. I did not respond to any of the character questions after the first because I had such mixed feelings about all of them -- even nasty Muscat wanted to please the priest, and Vianne and Armande were often cruel. I didn't much like any of them.

I read the book years ago, before the movie, and loved it because chocolate was the star.

It seemed to be a fable where the people were broadly sketched and intended to mirror the transformation of a bitter powder into a marvelous delicacy. The descriptions of chocolate making were the real love story of the book.

Chocolate is a character in MY life. I just love the stuff. I call it my drug of choice.

I think it can be a 'character' of sorts. It was a tool through which the others in the book viewed their life issues - chocolate could be seductive, healing, represent evil temptations, fun for life, memories, family traditions, change, secret hopes/desires.

... and sensuality and pleasure.

It's my favorite drug, too - life is just better when there's a piece of dark rich chocolate in your mouth!!!

Wow, great answers so far! I agree with you guys and think it definately was a leading character in the story. I think it stood in a way, for the temptations of life, good and bad and how people dealt with them.

And chocolate is my drug of choice too, along with the caffeine in Diet Pepsi and coffee.

aha,our favorite drug in life.

I think in the story it was more a tool,a tool for Vianne to vieuw people,for the people to open up to Vianne,so a too to connect .
greets,
es

Most definately. I think everyone has said everything, but I would pick up on the fact that food can often be a good connecter with people whatever it is.Chocolate has its own properties though especially for women. I think I'd better go eat some

But, Liz! Dark chocolate goes so well with both coffee and merlot!!

Oh how we know Luvdepp....the quest for the Diet Pepsi!!!


Yes, chocolate is a temptation and I really liked stroch's description. I had not thought of that parallel before:

"It seemed to be a fable where the people were broadly sketched and intended to mirror the transformation of a bitter powder into a marvelous delicacy. The descriptions of chocolate making were the real love story of the book."

Ain't that the truth!!!!

I agree, lumineuse! I love dark chocolate with wine -- and coffee -- and Diet Coke -- and all by itself......


And, yes, chocolate -- as KYwoman said -- is "seductive, healing, represent evil temptations, fun for life, memories, family traditions, change, secret hopes/desires," .... and happiness.

When I'm happy, I eat chocolate. When I'm sad, I eat chocolate. When I'm just so-so, I eat chocolate.....

bluebird

Chocolate--milk or dark--is ever so good with coffee. I will grant you that, Lumi. In fact, I'm popping a chocolate Easter egg in my mouth right now as I drink my coffee. Not bad!

It represents hedonism. It is the thing we want but that society has made us think we should not have. It is the thing that will harm us if taken in excess, but the thing which in small doses makes life's hardness easier to bear. So I don't think it's a character, but it is a concept.

Coincidentally, as I read the question about chocolate, my radio told me what's coming up in the next hour:
"A trio of plant diseases with ominous names -- black pod, frosty pod, and witches' broom -- threatens chocolate production worldwide. One expert says that if frosty pod and witches' broom gain a foothold in West Africa, production of cacao beans, the basis of chocolate, could be reduced by one million metric tons per year, knocking out almost a quarter of the world's cacao crop. What does that mean for our chocolate addiction? Call in with your questions and comments at 1-800-989-8255 (2-3 Eastern)."

OHHH NOOOOO!