Human Nature, it's our instinct, our reaction, our thoughts, and our ability to make decisions. It has been examined from every conceivable angle. It has been scrutinized, interrogated, glorified and even corrupted by every medium in the world, but none so extensively as the written word. Literature has explored every component of human nature from pride to envy and insecurity to depression. Fannie Flagg's novel FRIED GREEN TOMATOES pays particular attention to human nature and specific ways we choose to cope with the situations that life places before us. Flagg explores humor, nostalgia, and avoidance as common examples of how, not only her characters, but humans in general confront the circumstances surrounding their lives. Humor is and integral part of human nature. It has the ability to lighten almost any situation and put people at ease. Humor is a common bond between any person on earth, from the very wealthy to the impoverished. Idgie Threadgoode is the perfect embodiment of humor. Her wisecracks and tall tales helped her to face a number of less-than-comfortable situations throughout the novel. A prime example of her use of humor was with Smokey Lonesome. When Smokey fi

expressions on the people's faces, trying to figure out how long that fish was." Instead of mourning over the loss of his arm, Idgie helped Buddy Jr. find amusement in it. Finally, during the Frank Bennett murder trial, Idgie is put on the spot an accused of the murder herself. Her quick retorts and wisecracks leave the prosecution speechless and leave her feeling empowered. " '...And left taking Frank Bennett's wife and child with you?' 'Just his wife, the child came later.' 'How much later?' 'The usual nine months.'" Humor is an extremely effective way to make the best of a bad situation. As we grow older, looking into the past becomes a large part of our lives. Nostalgia becomes more and more a way to deal with difficult circumstance. Many characters display the ability to use nostalgia as an escape from reality. Once again Smokey lonesome is a perfect example. While wandering across the country, he encountered many tough times, but happily looked back at his days at the cafe to help him through. "All those bad times, he would just close his eyes and walk into the cafe again and see her standing there, smiling at him." Smokey's love and memories of the cafe and of Ruth more than likely is what kept him alive for a good portion of the novel. Nostalgia not only allows us to cope with difficult situations in life but also transcends it and comforts us in death. "The... man in the hotel lobby walked over and shook the smiling Atris O. Peavey, who was now quiet and still. 'What's the matter with you?' The man jumped back 'Jesus Christ! This nigger is dead!'.... But Artis was still way up in the woods with his barbecue." It seems appropriate that after such a difficult life, Artis passes and returns to a time in which he was truly content. The most obvious example of a character that uses nostalgia is Mrs. Threadgoode. Through the entire novel she narrates a wonderful story

Some common words found in the essay are:
Atris Peavey, Frank Bennett's, Lonesome Smokey, Evelyn Couch, GREEN TOMATOES, Sipsey TroutvilleShe, Human Nature, Frank Bennett, Buddy Idgie, Warrior River, human nature, green tomatoes, fried green tomatoes, fried green, humor nostalgia avoidance, wife child, arm idgie, nostalgia avoidance, buddy jr, smokey lonesome, novel fried green, situations life, novel fried,
Approximate Word count = 1269
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)