The surprising prevalence of Peruvian fruit in English literature
After learning about the fantastic fruits of Peru, I was inspired to search my library for any references to them in literature. Of course, most people have heard of the famous lesbian novel, “Granadillas are not the Only Fruit”. But it seems that Peruvian fruit also appears in some of the greatest works in the canon, e.g.:
To satisfie the sharp desire I had
Of tasting those fair Melocotóns, I resolv’d [ 585 ]
Not to deferr; hunger and thirst at once,
Powerful perswaders, quick’nd at the scent
Of that alluring fruit, urg’d me so keene.
- Satan, Book 9, Paradise Lost, Milton
Shall I part my hair behind? Do I dare to eat a pacay?
I shall wear white flannel trousers, and walk upon the beach.
I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each
- The Waste Land, Eliot
Sweet prince, you learn me noble thankfulness.
There, Leonato, take her back again:
Give not this rotten granadilla to your friend;
She’s but the sign and semblance of her honour.
- Claudio, Much Ado about Nothing, Act IV Scene 1
How have you made division of yourself?
A chirimoya, cleft in two, is not more twin
Than these two creatures. Which is Sebastian?
- Antonio, Twelfth Night, Act V Scene 1
I have eaten
the guanábanas
that were in
the iceboxand which
you were probably
saving
for breakfastForgive me
they were delicious
so sweet
and so cold
- This is Just to Say, William Carlos Williams
And most remarkably of all:
Pigmalion noght, though he ay forge and bete,
Or grave, or peynte; for I dar wel seyn
Lúcoumas, Zanzis, sholde werche in veyn
Outher to grave, or peynte, or forge, or bete,
If they presumed me to countrefete.
- The Physician’s Tale, Chaucer
I’d be interested to hear of any similar examples of Peruvian fruit in English literature. In Spenser, perhaps, or the Romantics?
This entry was posted on Friday, August 3rd, 2007 at 8:28 AM and filed under New stuff. Trackbacks are closed.
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