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.