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.

Academics at Batesville High School

          Since the passing of No Child Left Behind, the majority of schools have lowered their standards, consequently lowering the nation's educational ranking as a whole. No Child Left Behind is wonderful; everyone should be given an education. However, the United States is not progressing as it should be.
          It is thought by many that in order for everyone to reach a certain point in education, the expectations must be lowered. No. It should not be this way. Those who are not as academically successful as others should be offered extra help to reach the same place as those that are more successful. Unfortuantely, our country has the opposite view of an ideal education. Students that strive for success are forced to step down in order to ensure that nonchalant students get a "passing grade". While all of this is taking place in our schools, we are complaining about how our educational ranking in the world is dropping. Ha. What a joke.
          Batesville High School, although it does not realistically offer the best education in the country, does a better job of helping the individual student. Almost every teacher is completely willing to help any student outside of class. If someone does not understand the material being taught, the teacher will undoubtedly help in any way possible. This enables the class to progress as they should, and the struggling student is helped outside of class. This is how every school should be, rather than lowering academics as a whole to satisfy those who struggle.

Sound Mind, Sound Body

          The picture above is an ad found in a magazine, promoting Asics products to athletes, specifically runners. The company, trying to sell as many products as possible, show the viewers that the asics are comfortable and make a runner's workout as pleasant as she wants.

          This ad was made by a well established athletic brand, Asics. They are well known for having good, trustworthy products. This truly makes viewers believe that the ad is legitimate, rather than being a lie with a pretty picture.

          Regrettably, there is not much logos used in this ad. Fortunately for Asics, their establishment and the layout of the ad itself still draw in new customers every day. The girl in the picture is seeminly calm and enjoying her run, rather than being in pain and forcing herself to exercise. This, along with the company's reputation, supports the implication that Asics are a nice, comfortable running shoe.

         

Keep a Design Notebook

          It was easy finding things that I liked, but it was rather hard for me to find things that I thought had bad design. I really had to be picky to find them. Doing this experiment taught me that although it is important, it is not all about looks. The product must work well and as effortlessly as possible in order for it to be bought. Of course, that is obvious, but I thought that this experiment made it clearer why this is so important.

Good designs: 

It is small but not too small, fitted to your hand, and pink!

The lid that comes with this is screwed on, so it will never fall off.

The spiral makes it easy to flip pages, and the folded one at the bottom lessens the likelihood of the pages getting caught in an unfinished spiral. 

Twisty eyeliner (I have no idea what it's actually called) instead of a pencil. So much easier to twist the end than having to sharpen it when it gets dull.

A headband is useless (to me atleast) if it does not have teeth. When you use it, you can not see them so it is not any less attractive than one without.

Bad designs:

This is a creative cover and I like it, but the cutout makes it too easy to rip the cover.

I think all doorknobs are ugly. Elaborate or not, I think they are weird looking..

Hard cover books are much sturdier and last longer, but they are harder to read (for me anyways) and when ure trying to pack for something, it is more convenient if the book could move a little.

Real pencils are classic. They will be used for a very long time. But you always have to sharpen them, which really is not a problem, but compared to mechanical pencils, it makes real ones seem like a burden.

Mirrors are life savers. But they are horrible for picture taking. It is irritating. It's a group picture for a reason. If I wanted a picture of only myself, I would take one, but I don't. Maybe they could invent an anti-flash mirror or something. :D

Faith and Reason

Some say Earth was created,

Some say formed.

From what I know of faith,

I hold with those who favor creation.

But if I was to think twice,

I think I’ve heard enough of reason

To say that formation

Is reasonable

And would meet ends.

Memories

What happens to memories?

Do they fade
like a balloon released?
Or hide like a child --
Then reappear?
Do they run like a dream abandoned?
Or stay nearby --
Like a treasure?

Maybe they just rot
Like a fruit in the sun.

Or do they bloom?