Theme and message

The most important theme in the short story is that of relationships. “Leftovers” explores the main character’s relationships with his mother and his wife. This theme is enhanced by the motifs of love, grief, and food. Mason is grieving after his mother’s recent death and seeks comfort in memories of her making food, which was a way for them to show their mutual affection. This form of manifested love is in contrast with the lack of love and affection Mason feels from his wife, as their relationship has become cold and makes him unhappy. The message Nickolas Butler is trying to send with this story is that sometimes grief helps people meditate on their life and become more aware of their situation. The story also suggests that if one feels unhappy in a relationship, it is perhaps better to end that relationship even if it hurts.

Relationships

The short story explores the theme of relationships by looking at the main character’s relationship with his mother and his wife. Additionally, the plot touches upon the relationship between the mother and the wife.

The story starts by exploring the conflicting relationship between Mason’s wife Renee and his mother. From the beginning of the story, we find out that Renee and the mother had a mutual dislike for each other: “His mother had never quite approved of Renee, would’ve hated to find her there, in the kitchen…” (ll. 9-10); “And Renee, equally obstinate about his mother. Renee had hated his mother’s ‘fashion’, her interior decorating, her taste in fiction, her cooking.” (ll. 12-13). However, Mason's mother also makes a kind gesture by sending Renee some food leftovers: “...Here, bring some home for Renee. Tell her I missed seeing her this evening.” (ll. 34-35).

It is possible the women’s conflict is caused by the fact that they were competing for the affection o...