The Jungle

I chose to do my research paper on the novel written by Upton Sinclair in 1906, The Jungle. The Jungle was a book that ultimately revealed many imperfections that were taking place in our capitalist society, leading to laws that still exist today. Once The Jungle was finally published, President Roosevelt heard of the novel's hype and began to investigate. The disgusting and unbelievable things that were revealed about the meat-packing industry led to the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906 which was altered and now exists as the FDA. I plan on basing my essay around the standards that our food administration has set around the world and how these standards have changed from before and after this novel was created.

Most books, TV shows, and movies can influence a culture or individual in numerous ways. The Jungle gives individuals a feeling of security knowing that what they are eating is highly regulated and created through a clean and pure process. To know this book created America's standards of how food is handled and processed behind closed doors is very unique. A lot of books and shows have influenced me and our society in terms of family, beliefs, etc., but not many books lead to such a huge change in the processes by which our country regulates. I will be mainly addressing the way our country views the food process behind closed doors and how this book opened the eyes to many. What we don't know about we dont think about, and this was definitely the case when meat-packing industries were grinding up all sorts of unsanitary things.

Spring Break!

The author of this short story really emphasized that every little detail counts. She discussed how important the little things are in writing, including her personal decision that she had to make about whether to put a comma or a dash in one of her pieces, a simple decision that she felt had a big impact. Along with simple word choice, she contined to talk about the idea of "show, dont tell." This is a very important concept that many writers leave out. By showing your writer, rather than preaching, it makes the piece a lot more exciting and worth reading. Description of every kind is one of the most important things an author must include.

The paragraphs about the students I believe really outlines the idea of individuality. Every individual has a voice and that opinion matters. Obviously, as everyone has noticed throughout their life, people all have a different point of view and expression of these are key.

I definitely think it was a good idea to add the chapters about both Walt and Krakauer as individuals. To know that Chris was upset about what his father had done without him ever knowing for so many years changes the reason he had no trust in his parents. If there was this other "family" that your parents had ties with it'd change things, and to know this about Chris gave me a better picture. As for Krakauer and his similarities to Chris, it really gave me that credibility I needed. No other author with Krakauer's talents and expertise could write such a novel with the strength that he has in his voice without partaking in somewhat of a journey.

Nothing really changed as for the book, but it definitely backed up the feelings I had. I never really knew why Chris was so unattached to his parents. I realize the farther you get away from your parents some people part becuase of various situations but knowing the background of Chris's family showed me there may even be more complications that just weren't in the text. Taking Chris's side or thinking he's insane and stupid are the two viewpoints that people have had. For Krakauer to have a very personal viewpoint and have a reason for the way he feels adds more support to what he says.

Advertisement.

Advertisements are by far the most effective way to convey a message. Like i mentioned in class, no matter how "out there" and unbelievable an add seems, people still believe it. Advertisements are what attracts me to a fast food restaurant, sporting event, or even a party here on campus. The best part is they reach out to everyone.

For my project I chose to do an advertisement for a supplement, and I actually had a lot of fun doing this. After reading so many repetitive ads working at GNC I knew it'd be easy to plagiarize while doing this, so I spent some time creating my own catchy phrases. These advertisements are "over the top" for a reason, all to give an extremely overwhelming sense of motivation to look the best you can. The company that had the best advertisements and bodybuilder backing them was the company that sold the most products.

Like Toy Soldiers- Eminem

I've never been a huge music person, don't get me wrong I love music, but no song has really moved me too much. I look to music for motivation. This song choice may seem a bit odd, but the message entailed in When I'm gone by Eminem is awesome. "When they know they're your heart, and you know you were their armor." This shows the love he has for his daughter, but this relates to anyone's life. This whole "love" thing is brought to mind in a different light, demonstrated by poor behavior and the regret of never showing that loved one how much you REALLY care about them. "I dont know go play Hailie, baby, your daddy's busy." He is showing the way he wished he didn't treat his daughter, and how she comes first, but he chose to put her second. His songs always highlight the hardships he faced and what he would have changed about his past.

His songs bring some pretty crazy images to mind, mostly sadness that is designed to motivate an individual to not do the things he's done, and to believe in yourself through every step in life. Eminem hasn't had the picture perfect life a lot of us have had so far, and his music demonstrates this perfectly. It's almost as if he's upset when he sings, but this has always been his way of rapping. He came from an all black neighborhood, never gave up, and his dreams came true. He isn't my favorite artist, but I definitely enjoy his music and its always first on my playlist at the gym.

Pathos.

The most effective form of rhetoric in my opinion is ethos. Credibility is the reason I read any form of literature. It gives the reader something to hold on to, and the writer a lot more power in his voice that is shown through his writing. Personally, the more credible I am in my writing the better my paper turns out.

Pathos is definitely most evident in Into The Wild. Krakauer interviews so many people that were influenced by Chris and their emotions are revealed in his writing. They all share their experiences with McCandless and reflect on a certain time in Chris's life. Although I feel pathos is most obvious, logos and ethos are very comman as well.

My mom has mentioned a few times how when she was younger everything was so care free. She could leave something behind and not worry about coming back to it gone. I'm not saying life was "perfect" and "decriminalized," there is just definitely a different society nowadays. Hitchhikers were probably less worried about getting abducted or taken to a place that wasn't desirable, and if they were kidnapped, it wasn't expected. With all the crime today, anyone getting in an unfamiliar vehicle must be aware and have a plan if such a situation takes place. Hitchhiking should be the last ride anyone resorts to, but if they are stranded, hungry, and basically have no other choice, I guess it's alright. I would always have another ride lined up or some other plan of attack, but sometimes people, Chris, don't have much of a choice. By the way Chris has acted throughout the story I can tell hitchhiking was not a big deal to him, and didn't seem like a problem. He had a goal, and hitchhiking was one of those things that was just a priority, for his car was now lost and unavailable for use.