Fried Green Tomatoes

Fried Green Tomatoes illustrates the struggles in life during the 1980s as well as the Depression. Issues such as love, friendship, and abuse are portrayed in addition to psychological concepts throughout the movie. Some of these psychological concepts integrated in the film include depression and food dependence.  Ninny Threadgoode, the elderly woman in the movie, exhibits the most significant psychological concept in Fried Green Tomatoes, memory. Reminiscing on Ninny’s past shapes the movie as these memories seem to greatly affect the lives surrounding her. 

Evelyn Couch lives with her grumpy husband Ed. Ed’s complaining plus the fluctuation of hormones in a menopausal housewife causes Evelyn to be depressed. All Evelyn wanted was to please Ed and his family, who did not care for her. For example, Ed’s aunt dislikes Evelyn so much, Evelyn is not allowed in her nursing home room, ironically where she meets Ninny Threadgoode. Ninny is an energetic elderly woman who loves storytelling. Over time, Evelyn begins to visit Ninny on a regular basis in result of the wonderful advice Ninny gave. In addition to the advice, Ninny also provided Evelyn with laughter, something she had not experienced in a long time. During the Depression in Whistle Stop, Alabama is the setting of Ninny Threadgoode’s story she shares with Evelyn. Idgie Threadgoode is the main character, telling of her life following the death of her brother, Buddy, who was killed by a train.  Buddy’s old girlfriend, Ruth, is asked by Idgie’s family to help her deal with the loss and return back to how she was. Since the accident, Idgie had become defiant towards everyone. Ruth and Idgie develop a strong attachment. Ruth then leaves with Frank Bennet who is abusive to Ruth. When Ruth is pregnant, Idgie goes to save Ruth and brings her and her baby, Buddy Jr., back to Whistle Stop. After receiving the funds, Idgie open a store, the Whistle Stop Café, to provide for Ruth and Buddy Jr. The featured item on the menu is fried green tomatoes.  Frank Bennet travels to Whistle Stop in order to steal Buddy Jr. fro,m Ruth in revenge. Unfortunately, Frank was murdered by an unknown assailant. Instantly, the finger is pointed at Idgie who is arrested with Big George, the African American cook. In the trial, the minister offers an alibi for both Idgie and Big George, causing all charges to be cleared. Later, Ruth struggles with cancer and dies, leading to the closing of the Whistle Stop Café. Approaching the end of the story, Ninny informs Evelyn that Frank Bennet had really been hit upside the head with a cast-iron skillet by one of the cooks at the café. After the weeks of Ninny telling Evelyn this story, Ninny goes to Whistle Stop to find that her house had been condemned. Evelyn quickly follows Ninny there, then offers for Ninny to come live with her and Ed. Ninny goes and lives with Evelyn and Ed until she dies. Evelyn becomes a more confident and independent woman from her relationship with Ninny. One example is, arguably, the most hysterical scene in the late 20^th century when Evelyn is at the grocery store and two younger girls take her parking spot. Evelyn then accumulates the name “Towanda” when she is angry, giving Ed the option of Towanda if he must complain about everything.