Danger in the Kitchen: An Analysis of 'The Art of Cooking' by Dave Barry

           Barry’s reasonable, persuasive tone portrays to the reader his utter opposition of cooking. He uses ethos, humor, diction, and logos to support his claim, conveying the dangers and absurdities of cooking to his audience, and relating the “art” to everyday life.

He uses ethos, opening with a true story that personally happened to him. While his family was awaiting guests, “[his]” mom was cooking” beef in a “double boiler” that unfortunately “exploded violently,” sending chunks “flying…with tremendous force.” Although this does not happen on a regular basis, considering this is a true, personal account, this story increases Barry’s credibility.

Consistent with his signature style, Barry uses humor and diction to specifically express certain ridiculous factors of cooking. After the “Big Beef Bang,” he felt that any cooking should be required a “welding helmet.” It is not uncommon for him to create his own words as he did with the Big Beef Bang. Also, a welding helmet has the connotation of something that protects one’s face from mutilation caused by extreme conditions. This humorous diction helped underscore the frightening possibilities by hyperbolizing kitchen mishaps. Once there initial fears are overcome, producing a half-decent meal becomes an adventure of its own, for the recipe’s creator, who happened to be “snorking down cooking wine” begins inventing ingredients such as “free-range whelk corneas.” By addressing this tendency of requiring imaginary gourmet ingredients, he reveals his exasperation at the impossibilities involved in cooking.

Lastly, Barry uses logos to contrast his previous statements and support cooking by indirectly relating the “art” to everyday life. In order to be a “successful cook,” certain recipes must be “[adapted]” by “making substitutions.” Parallel to the “real world,” in order to be successful, adjustments must be made to reach any given goal. There will always be obstacles to overcome, and if something does not go exactly as planned, one must know how to make these adjustments.

Cooking, although often a pain in the neck, covertly teaches necessary ethics despite its dangerous tendencies. Like many other seemingly useless things we are forced to do, cooking does have a purpose other than putting everyone within a 50-mile radius in mortal danger.

"Kill 'Em! Crush 'Em! Eat 'Em Raw!"

1. John McMurtry's essay begins with a personal anecdote about the results of playing sports - especially football - since childhood. When he can no longer ignore his physical condition, he seeks treatment and is hospitalized. How does the anecdote lend credibility to his argument?
          -The anecdote at the beginning establishes ethos, because he is talking about something that personally happened to him. Anyone can talk about a topic, but it is not as credible until the speaker is experienced in that field. Since he had been involved in football for the majority of his life, his claims are believable, for he has lived through it.

2. Paragraphs 5-7 compare and contrast football and war. Is this comparison convincing? How does the comparison appeal to logos?
          -McMurtry logically compares football to war. He pulls multiple aspects of both and makes them one and the same. For example, he talks of the football and war terms, such as "field general," "long bomb," "take a shot," and "front line." It is not difficult to see how these all apply to both, for they are similar not only in words, but in meaning. Although there are many similarities, McMurtry also pointed out the differences. His main point was that in football, injuries excite the crowd -- it's what they have been waiting for all night! However, casualties and deaths of war are looked upon with grief from the country as a whole.

3. In Paragraph 9, the tone shifts. How is the shift achieved? Explain how the shift mirrors a transition in McMurtry's argument?
          -From the beginning, he is giving football a bad reputation. He talks of how dangerous it is, and how chronic and infinite the injuries can be. On the other hand, he also supports it and expresses his love of the game. However, in Paragraph 9, he switches to a more adamant attack on it. He still supports it, but he really opens the eyes of readers to how much the game and concepts itself really do hurt people.

6. Consider the language of football, especially the words shared by the military. What sports other than football have a militaristic side?
          -Football is probably the most similar to military. However, all team sports including a ball is similar to the military. Every member is important, and every member must work together to be the most successful. These sports also have strategies that they must learn that better their chances of achieving their goal, just like in war.