Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe/Chapter 47

Chapter 47

On September 15, 1924, two weeks after Ruth went home; Idgie takes Julian's car and drives to Valdosta, Georgia. She stops in a grocery store and inquires about Frank Bennett, Ruth's fiance. She tells the clerk she is Ruth's cousin. The clerk tells her Frank is a decent guy and everyone loves Ruth. He asks if she is staying with Ruth and Idgie says she isn't. She tells him she is a representative of a perfume company and is passing through on business. Idgie tells him that the family was worried and she wanted to check Frank out. She asks him not to tell Ruth because she doesn't want Ruth upset. She leaves without finishing her strawberry drink.

Analysis

Idgie is again experiencing loss and loneliness. She misses Ruth and wants to check out the man Ruth will be marrying. She travels all the way to Georgia to make sure he is a good man & that Ruth will be happy, which shows that even though is in no way happy that Ruth is going to be with someone else she does want Ruth to be happy & safe.