In the book, Fried Green Tomatoes at The Whistle Stop Cafe, by Fannie Flagg, I read about two women, Virginia (Ninny) Threadgoode, and Evelyn Couch. Mrs. Threadgoode is a sweet elderly woman living in The Rose Terrace Nursing Home in Birmingham, Alabama in the year 1986. Beginning with The Whistle Stop Cafe, Mrs. Threadgoode tells Evelyn about the life and times in Whistle Stop, Alabama, a time ranging from the early 1900' to the late 1960's. Most of the setting is at the nursing home, but the story also is told at Whistle Stop. A weekly bulletin, written by Dot Weems, circulates the story, telling about events occurring in Whistle Stop. The author wants her readers read beyond the written text to figure out the lesson within. Throughout her book, Flagg tries to teach her readers about love and friendship, and that your weakest ability can be your strongest triumph.

The main idea of this book is to show what others can accomplish through this friendship. Flagg's examples of friendship can be seen all over the book. The relationship between two characters in Mrs. Threadgoode's story, Idgie and Ruth, can be explained in this passage from the book said by Idgie to Ruth, "‘I'd die for you. How about that? Don't you think somebody could die for love?'" (86). Idgie cares so much for Ruth, that she would do anything to make Ruth feel better, even kill someone, or die herself. The other major example of friendship in this book is that of Evelyn and Mrs. Threadgoode. When Mrs. Threadgoode dies, Evelyn shows how much she cared for her in this quote: "Evelyn stopped the car there, sobbing like her heart would break, wondering why people had to get old and die[.]"(384). Evelyn missed her dear friend so much, showing that she had grown to love Mrs. Threadgoode. The other purpose for this book is to incite the readers into understanding more than what is written on the page, but the lesson within. Before Ruth forgives Idgie after lying to her, Ruth receives a note saying, "If you cage a wild thing, you can be sure it will die, but if you let it run free, nine times out of ten it will run back home." The lesson to be learned is forgive and forget, no matter what the problem is. Evelyn also uses this lesson to forgive her husband, and several other people in her life that have made her upset or angry.

Evelyn Couch is an overweight, depressed, insecure, middle- aged woman. She lives in Birmingham, Alabama, and is married to Ed Couch, but feels as if she is trapped. She grew up believing that women were supposed to get married directly after school, have children, and not work. However, now she doesn't think that way anymore. ". . .-[T]he world had become a different place, a place she didn't know at all[.]" (40). Initially Evelyn is, as she describes it, a slob. When a boy at the supermarket calls her names and pushes her down, Evelyn feels worthless. "She sat there on the ground, her elbow bleeding, old and fat and worthless all over again." So, to avenge her anger, she dreams up "Towanda, the Magnanimous, Righter of Wrongs and Queen without compare[.]" Towanda can kill everyone and everything that make Evelyn mad, and when Evelyn comes back to reality, she feels as if she has accomplished something. After awhile, Evelyn realizes that she could be so much more if only she would try. Evelyn cleans up her act, loses some weight, and gets a job selling cosmetics. She is also a friend for Mrs. Threadgoode to look forward to on visitor's day, and someone to talk to. This said by Mrs. Threadgoode says how much she enjoys visiting with Evelyn, "‘Well don't you ever let me sleep through visitor's day. You promise?'" (323).

Idgie Threadgoode is somewhat of a wild hare. Ever since her brother, Buddy, died, she has followed a life of solitude. She leaves home soon after, and the only person that knows where to find her is big George. The only other person Idgie lets get close to her is Ruth. At first, Idgie doesn't like being told what to do, and is a very solitary person. But when Ruth comes to Whistle Stop, Idgie learns to care for her and others. "‘. . .[W]hen Ruth came to live with us, you never saw a change in anybody so fast . . . '" At the end, Idgie learns to care so much for Ruth, and wants to help her any way that she can. Throughout the story, Idgie helps others in many ways. Idgie helps Ruth raise Ruth's son, Stump (Buddy Jr.) and teach him to care for others. Idgie also helps the poor by throwing food from the government trains at night. This shows, that even though she is trying to be a rebel, she is generous and caring, whether the consequences are severe or not. Because of Idgie's boldness Evelyn learns to jump into life, and actually try to stick up for herself. Idgie's reputation helps Evelyn become a better person, and gives Ruth, and the others around her a challenge to love her.

Two themes can be seen throughout this book. The most important theme is that friendship is the key to everything; without it, nothing can exist in harmony. Idgie and Ruth form a friendship built on love and care for each other. Idgie would do anything for Ruth, and Ruth wants Idgie to become a better person, and more trusting. On the other hand, Mrs. Threadgoode and Evelyn's friendship forms from boredom. Evelyn has nothing to do while Ed visits with his mother, in the same nursing home, so she sits by Mrs. Threadgoode, and listens to her story. "[T]he moment she sat down, the old woman beside her began to talk. . ." (5). Evelyn probably never would have guessed that the avid story teller sitting next to her would become her new best friend.

The other major theme is: whatever weakness, everyone is strong in their own way. Stump learns that although he is missing an arm, he can do virtually anything he wants. He proves to the entire town that he can be as good a sports player as a two-armed player. "Despite his handicap, he [Stump] has been able to complete 33 out of 37 attempted passes this year. He is able to take the snap from center and hug the ball to his chest. . ."(260). This was taken from the October 15, 1947 issue of the Birmingham News, after Whistle Stop's football team won another game.

Idgie's weakness is trust for others. Only after several years does she learn to trust Ruth, and when the story is over, she has learned that there is more to friendship than trust. She has to love, care, and cherish everyone in her life. The story of Idgie and the Whistle Stop Cafe teaches Evelyn to become stronger. With her weight loss, new job, and letting go of hatred, she learns to forgive others along with herself. In short, the main characters in the book learn from each other about the value of friendship and ability.

Because of the fluctuation between the two times, I got to experience the differences in the expenses such as food and clothes, peoples actions, emotions, and togetherness. I liked the way Mrs. Threadgoode would begin narrating a story, and the next section of the book would be self narrated, and elaborates on the story. Since this book varies between two completely different times, two different stories take place, and can be confusing in some parts, but this book can reach out to anyone.

While reading Fannie Flagg's novel, Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe, the reader learns about friendship and love, and about being strong when some think you are too weak and can't do what you are destined to do. Flagg certainly accomplished her purposes of showing friendship then, and now. The reader can look deep within the text to decipher the lesson to be learned on their own, giving each reader a different view and opinion.