The Myth and Ritual of Coffee in Mario Puzo’s The Fortunate Pilgrim :: Essays Papers

The Myth and Ritual of Coffee in Mario Puzos The Fortunate Pilgrim When I arrived in Italy in May 1998, my first order of business was to test some Italian coffee. Being an avid coffee drinker, and having heard that Italians brew the best in the world, I was quite eager to find a dwarfish bar that would cheerfully quench my craving. I was not disappointed. The cappuccino that I sipped that day was a two-layer affair, a mountain of rich foamy milk atop a modest amount of strong, hot espresso. It was heavenly. As I swirled the thick steaming layers together, I was fascinated by the lively Italian being spoken in the bar, the laughter, and the peace and ease in the bartenders face. I felt honored to be privy to the rituals that were taking place before my eyes. Coffee is a truly a mythological treasure. It serves the dual functions of waking one up and providing one with relaxation. It is both acid and base, bitter and sweet, caustic and comforting. It is used for an array o f purposes to soothe, to cash in ones chips energy, to lend fortitude, to bring people together. Sometimes it is ascribed almost supernatural healing properties. In Mario Puzos The Fortunate Pilgrim, coffee takes these roles and more the drinking of coffee is an vastly important ritual that serves a myriad of social functions and responds to a wide range of human emotions. Wine, arguably the only other substance surrounded by so much myth and ritual, also plays a part in Puzos novel, but it is coffee that is the drink of choice and ritual for Lucia Santa. Early in the novel, the beverage is aptly described as ceremonial Lucia Santa served the ceremonial coffee, then said, Zia Louche, I am going to see the little one. Care for the girl and Lorenzo. Do me this favor. (Puzo 36) Coffee is the focal point of the meeting, a warming beverage to represent the warmth between two people. It is this warmth, this caring human connection, that enables Lucia Santa to ask her friend for a favor. At the same time, the hot coffee lends fire to her courage and conviction, giving her the requisite strength to confront Filomena. (37) Interestingly, coffee becomes a pacifier, a salve, when Lucia Santa returns from Filomenas sept shaken and distraught with her baby Vincenzo in her arms.