Chilli Cheese Dogs My Father And Me Pat Conroy Analysis

To begin, the food we eat can trigger our thoughts and memories of the times we had with our loved ones. Whether one is smelling burgers at a family barbeque, eating a feast during the holidays, or biting into that hot, homemade cookie, one’s senses are awakened when one smells or taste food, and it brings one back to the fond memories of the times we have family. I will be discussing my personal memories and how I identify with the father in the story,”Chili Cheese Dogs My Father And Me”, by Pat Conroy.
To illustrate, in the story, “Chili Cheese Dogs My Father And Me”, by Pat Conroy, a father and son begin to express their love for one another with their mutual passion for food. In the story, the father had a difficult life serving his

country so he recalled the sweeter moments of the times he had eating delicious foods. Some of the foods included, kimchi, which is basically a Korean cuisine consisting of fermented vegetables, which he enjoyed having in Korea while he was serving in the military. He also enjoyed “red hots” which were just ordinary hot dogs, that were sold at the Chicago White Sox baseball games. The father had very strong convictions about certain foods and believed that everything he liked was the “best of the best”. When I went camping last summer with my family, we all had hot dogs and smores around the campfire and I remember it being the two most delicious foods I had in a long time. But the thing is, they were just ordinary hot dogs and smores, nothing too exciting. But what made it so appealing and delectable was the nostalgic factor. I can recall everything that happened that whole day leading up to the campfire grill at night, and just having the best time of my life with my family. Whenever I eat a hot dog or have s'mores for dessert, I can visualize the amazing time I had with my family that night. The fathers in the story excuse for the hot dogs being the “most delicious” was how it tastes better at the stadium with a crowd full of people. My excuse would be how the hot dogs taste better when I’m out camping in the woods by a fire. Either way it is the same exact scenario and it expresses how foods can bring out the memories in all of us.
In addition, amongst family and friends food can bring us together and make people bond. Conversations around the dinner table can solidify relationships because it allows you catch up with your family, without the distraction of cell phones or social media. Talking one on one with your family members is a good escape from everyday stresses and allows you to have a good time overall. When my family is gathered on Thanksgiving, I know that there will be a lot of laughter, story telling, and sometimes even friendly arguments. In the short story, the son and father mutually started to bond when they started to spend a lot of time with one another. But the food is what brought them closer because it gave them something to do and talk about.
In conclusion, the personal memories I created and how I distinguish with the father in the story, “Chili Cheese Dogs My Father And Me”, were proved. To sum up, the father in the story enjoyed life a little bit more by eating his favorite foods while he was serving in the military. Even though his life was difficult while serving, he escaped the harsh reality by eating delicious foods and bonding with his son. Whenever he ate food like kimchi or red hots, it reminded him of the times he had while growing up. This scenario is similar to my life because whenever I eat hot dogs and smores, it brings me back to the times I had with my family while camping.