MovieChat Forums > Die Blechtrommel (1980) Discussion > Probably a stupid question....

Probably a stupid question....

posted 18 years ago by am_buglet_82
11 replies | jump to latest

...but bear with me.

This is based on the book, so those of you confused with this question, don't worry about it, it's not in the movie.

In the book, Oskar talks about himself, Maria, Kurt, and Maria's sister selling synthetic honey.
What exactly is synthetic honey made out of?
I know synthetic means "man made"...well, if bees didn't make this honey, then what is it made of?

I warned you this is probably a stupid question.

-Amanda

"She will remember your heart when men are fairy tales in storybooks written by rabbits"

[–] Desmond_Crekker 18 years ago

In times of war or Poverty , their was made a creamy paste of sugar, which was called Synthetic honey which resembles in look and taste honey of bees. It was very cheap in production and quality.

[–] am_buglet_82 18 years ago

Ok, thank you! :D

-Amanda

"She will remember your heart when men are fairy tales in storybooks written by rabbits"

[–] flyer333555 17 years ago

Hi-

Not in the book or movie probably but in WWII Germany they also drank ersatz coffee, for the same reasons. Instead of ground coffee beans they used peanut shells.

[–] Mr_Wolf_80 17 years ago

Isn't it that thing in the little packet on which Oskar spit and that then he gives to the girl? I thought it was sugar

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[–] Bavarian 17 years ago

Isn't it that thing in the little packet on which Oskar spit and that then he gives to the girl? I thought it was sugar

No, it was "Brausepulver", soda powder.
Take a look here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sherbet
http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brausepulver

P.S.: synthetic honey = mixture of inverted sugar syrup and glucose syrup (corn syrup), sometimes aromatised with a drop of real honey.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inverted_sugar_syrup

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glucose_syrup

[–] Mr_Wolf_80 17 years ago

Mmmm... I see!
Why spitting on it, then? Why didn't he put it into water?

I'm Winston Wolf. I solve problems.

MILAN CHAMPIONS OF EUROPE!
7 CHAMPIONS! WE HAVE 7 CHAMPIONS!
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[–] Bavarian 17 years ago

Why spitting on it, then? Why didn't he put it into water?

The spitting was some kind of a metaphor for the exchange of body fluids.

Moreover, spitting on it and eating the soda powder by Maria was, uhm, hard to describe, a more intimate thing, some erotic element too and a proof of trust, confidence by her.

Normally people don't like tasting other peoples spittle. But when you have some kind of trust and personal nearness, some kind of relationship, you do sinful things like french kissing, maybe even evil things like, uhm, well, cunnilingus. *blushing* ;-)

Lots of allegoric and metaphoric stuff in Die Blechtrommel...

[–] end2endburner 17 years ago

I'd like to add that is was common trait by little kids not only to drink it regularly, but to spit on it or eat it pure. So this is nothing out of the ordinary. Nevertheless it's unusual to eat it with other peoples spit, though. So imho Bavarian describes the scene perfectly.

[–] 17 years ago

[deleted]

[–] wax1802 16 years ago

I can't belive this film isn't more well known. What a shame. Oddly enough, it was on cable tv (probably HBO)in the 80s. That's how I first saw it,in Oklahoma, as a youngin' no less.

[–] crazedsavages 16 years ago

I remember seeing this film in the early 80's when I was about 13...
It was def on HBO; a friend and I had just finished watching "Body Snatchers", with Donald Sutherland, and then "Tin Drum" came on...
It was a total freak out!!!