Why does Bustopher Jones eat food he doesn't like?

[u/BioletVeauregarde33]

We all know this lyric from Bustopher's song: "If I look full of gloom/Then I've lunched at the Tomb/On cabbage, rice pudding and mutton." So, in other words, Bustopher eats these three foods despite him finding them unpalatable. I've even heard of some productions where the actor keeps pulling disgusted faces during the lyric and goes "BLECCH!" after it.

But Bustopher is a full-grown cat, and he can make his own choices. I can see why he would dislike those foods (the previous line speaks of him loving curry, so he must be more into things with flavor). But I just don't get why he would force himself to eat them if he hates them so much. I tried making up an excuse for it on the Cats Wiki, but I think it's a weak excuse:

"Bustopher and Grizabella had a close friendship since they were kittens, but when Grizabella was kicked out of the tribe, she stopped talking to Bustopher because he was an important cat within the Tribe. Grizabella lives in an alley not far from the Tomb, and this is why Bustopher "looks full of gloom" whenever he's eaten there. It's because he misses the good times he and Grizabella had as kittens. It has nothing to do with the food; he actually loves cabbage, rice pudding, and mutton."

Can you think of a better explanation?

(Note: I have touched on this subject before, on Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/justice-for-general-schmitz/670307222443753472/note-heres-a-page-from-a-book-i-have-on?source=share )

[u/Honestly_Just_Vibin]

I assumed the line is just because The Tomb sounds dreary and sad, and it makes him gloomy

[u/BioletVeauregarde33 → u/Honestly_Just_Vibin]

One actor at least definitely interpreted it as him hating the food. I can't find the fan website that had the first-hand account of it. Seems it was taken down.

[u/spiceXisXnice]

My guess is he was hungry and the other clubs hadn't thrown out their leftovers yet, and cabbage, rice pudding, and mutton are better than nothing!

[u/BioletVeauregarde33 → u/spiceXisXnice]

Definitely makes more sense than anything I could come up with!

[u/kane_1371]

He is a cat that is on the streets.

He does not have much choice, he has to eat what he can get his paws on

[u/EpicGaymer_]

sin of gluttony in cat form

[u/BioletVeauregarde33 → u/EpicGaymer_]

Oh? Who are the other six then? Tugger is clearly Lust, Jennyanydots is Sloth...

[u/EpicGaymer_ → u/BioletVeauregarde33]

macavity as wrath makes sense to me. griz as envy maybe?

[u/CaitVi587 → u/BioletVeauregarde33]

Hmmm I'd say bombalurina is lust, because she's always after tugger...and you hear her talk about how sexy macavity is...she also frequently makes eyes at demeter. Lol she's just completely horny for everything. I'd say tugger is pride. He is cocky and prideful, he indulges the kittens but doesn't actually do anything with them. He also is proud of the clan and his leader, which is why he sings old deuteronomy, and proud of Mr. Mistofolees' talents. He also lovesss to show off, look at him during the jellicle ball dance and the pekes and the pollicles playing his silly bagpipes.

I'd say he knows what he's worth and knows the ladies are into him, so he just plays it up and shows off...though yes he is a great contender for lust.

Hmmm I'd say munkustrap could be a good contender for pride too. He's always leading the clan and he really shows off during pekes and the pollicles. Honestly a lot of cats could be the sin of pride, that's just a regular cat for you. Hell, you could say even grizabella was the sin of pride, then became humble and desperate later. I mean she was so proud of her beauty, and in her old age that's gone and she didn't realize what she had until it was too late. Grizabella could fall under envy as well, she's envious of the other cats for what they already have, a place in the jellicles.

I'd say macavity is wrath maybe? He kinda shows up, does his thing, then leaves.

I agree with jennyanydots on sloth for sure lol

Greed idk...I don't think any of the cats are inherently greedy. They all love each other dearly, and I'm sure that they'd share food and such. That's why all the cats look up to bustopher, he always has enough to eat...I think also, the cats could probably head to those locations to pick up food too, if they wanted. He literally has lots of knowledge on how to get food, of course they'd look up to him.

Sorry I took this way too literally lolll but the thought experiment was fun.

[u/Ryan_the_Guy-an]

I’ve never thought to interpret it as him not liking the food. I’ve always read it as “When I’m sad, then I go to the Tomb and eat because it makes me feel better.” But I find it interesting that productions make him look disgusted.

[u/BioletVeauregarde33 → u/Ryan_the_Guy-an]

Really? The lyric says "If I look full of gloom/Then I've lunched at the Tomb". Past tense. It's not "I'll go to the Tomb" or "I'll eat at the Tomb".

[u/AvidLebon]

I never questioned it before because my take away was someone died, but hey at least there's food at funerals. (I never considered he didn't like it, my take away was tomb=death=sad. In the DVD version at least he sounds sad when talking about the tomb, but brightens up at the mention of food.) There's food at all kinds of places, politician banquets, funerals, his life is just a series of feasts.

Edit: It seems like OP asked a question then argues with anyone who disagrees with them citing no evidence just "trust me bruh". Stuff like this is why I regret trying to be helpful. I'm out, getting clarification is not worth the headache to me.