Babette's Feast

One image from Babette’s Feast remains in my mind for its symbolism. When the Swedish officer exits the little Danish town the first time, he leaves after one of the pious meetings and is escorted out by Martina. Up till this point, I wasn’t sure if she returned his affection but when he rose to leave the table and she followed him outside, my questions were answered.

She helps him put on his coat, and then walks outside to see him off. As he leaves, the screen focuses on her standing alone with a candle in her hand. If I remember correctly, the camera zooms in slowly on her holding the candle, and immediately I had a thought: If the candle goes out in the slight wind, their love will fade. If it stays lit, their love will remain.

Sure enough, in the seconds the shot remains on Martina standing alone with her candle it remains strong and bright, and I mentally predicted that they wouldn’t forget one another.

In the course of the film the Swedish general comes back to the village and the viewer finds out that he has never forgotten about Martina but still loves her. She has not forgotten about him either, one learns. Even though he had not returned but rather married another and lived the majority of his life far away from her, he insists, “I have been with you every day of my life. Tell me you know that.” “Yes, I know it,” she replies.

And I am left happy that my attempt at noticing symbolism proved successful.

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