Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in With the Fire on High, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Coming of Age and Teen Parenthood
Creativity vs. Professional Norms
Food and Connection
Caregiving, Independence, and Identity
Support, Community, and Mentorship
Summary
Analysis
In the school kitchen early one morning, Emoni puts her rolls in the oven and then approaches Chef Ayden. He looks tired—he’s been here every morning to supervise, and Emoni has never wondered if he has a family. She says she has ideas to elevate the food at the Winter Dinner, which is traditionally simple and comes from a can. But they could do individual portions of mac and cheese, or chorizo stuffing bites. Grinning, Chef asks her to write up her ideas so they can figure out portions. Emoni returns to her bread, feeling like hope is rising inside of her.
It's a sign of Emoni’s burgeoning maturity that she realizes she knows so little about who Chef Ayden really is. She’s becoming more curious about other people, and she’s humanizing adults. Asking to revamp the Winter Dinner menu allows Emoni to use what Chef Ayden has taught her and marry it with her natural talent. That Chef Ayden seems perfectly happy to support Emoni in this endeavor shows how trusting their relationship has become now that Emoni values his instruction.
Themes
