Eric Schlosser's Fast Food Nation

The central argument of fast food nation by Eric Schlosser is that the large restaurant chains and corporations and their demand for unification have given these chains too much power over America’s food supply, economy, and society. Also the way that these corporations operate is now the framework for today’s retail economy. Small businesses are going bankrupt because of the franchising that the large companies are pursuing.

Logos are an extremely effective way to convey to the ready the severity of the situation at hand. Schlosser uses this often with death tolls, injury rates, and pay. “Many slaughterhouse workers make a cut every two or three seconds, in which adds up to about 10,000 cuts during an eight-hour shift. If the knife has become dull, additional pressure is placed on the worker's tendons, joints, and nerves." (P. 173) This is extremely dangerous for the employees. The author describes the fast food industry as a business which has “infiltrated every nook and cranny" in America, and a result “in 2000 they (Americans) spent more than $110 billion." (P. 3) "The average American ate three hamburgers a week... children between the ages of seven and thirteen ate more hamburgers than anyone else." (P. 198) These statistics show just how

many Americans, especially families with small children depend on these fast food chains.

Schlosser used ethos to show the reader that he has the same beliefs of the average American; this gets the readers attention and helps them believe what he is saying.

He appeals to ethos when describing Jack in the Box's climb to the top of food safety, many still didn't support Jack in the Box and the efforts to improve food safety. "... Jack in the Box... assumed the mantle of leadership on the issue of food safety..." (P. 209) He also appeals to ethos when addressing the court rulings of cases for those injured on the job; this also demonstrates the unfair treatment of workers in the meatpacking industry. "The few who win in court and receive full benefits are hardly set for life... losing an arm is $36,000." (P.

185)

Eric Schlosser uses pathos often in long stories that appeal to emotions which show the unfortunate situations that come with the fast food industry on every level. The author tells the story of a young boy, Alex who was infected with E. Coli O157:H7. Schlosser description is graphic and gruesome especially about a small child; it would be horrifying for any parent to read. "...progressed to diarrhea that filled a hospital toilet with blood... drilling holes in his skull to relieve pressure, inserting tubes in his chest to keep him breathing, as Shiga toxins destroyed his internal organs... Toward the end, Alex suffered hallucinations and dementia, no longer recognizing his mother or father. Portions of his brain had been liquefied..." (P. 200) The author also appeals toward the lower class that may have dealt with these situations; this draws in many readers who can relate to the conditions of these individuals, "... lack of full-time employment, receive no benefits, learn few skills, and exercise little control over the workplace... float job to job"(P. 6) This leaves a strong impact on the readers if they can sympathize with him. The author appeals to the reader’s fear of losing something important, regardless of how hard they try. "They take whatever you give them, and then, if there's a better offer, leave you hanging and move on to the next best deal." (P. 164) Again, this shows the corruption within the meatpacking industry.
Schlosser also uses imagery to make the reader feel as though they are right net to the action. In the first paragraph he describes the landscape of Colorado which he often refers back to, "...from the distance, the mountain appears beautiful and serene, dotted with rocky outcroppings..." (P. 1) The author continues to describe the slaughterhouse, while describing the working conditions. "You see hardhats, white coats, flashes of steel. Nobody is smiling or chatting, they're too busy. An old man walks past me, pushing a blue plastic barrel filled with scraps. A few workers carve the meat with Whizzards, small electric knives that have spinning round blades." (P. 170) The more invested the reader is to the story the stronger his argument is. He also uses imagery to describe the smell that comes from the slaughterhouse is Greeley, Colorado. "You can smell Greeley, Colorado, long before you can see it. The smell is hard to forget but easy to describe, a combination of live animals, manure, and dead animals being rendered into dog food..." (P. 149) This again supports his argument against the slaughterhouses.
Finally Schlosser uses diction and repetition to emphasize his main argument and it reveals his overall tone. He chooses words that would give the reader a feeling of urgency and disgust which many workers had within the slaughterhouses; he also uses very strong, active words. "The kill floor is hot and humid. It stinks of manure... keep an eye on them constantly, dodge them, watch your step, or one will slam you and throw you onto the bloody concrete floor." (P. 170) The author uses the phrase “Again and again” multiple times to show the repetitive attempts to find a solution to the issues that are in the fast food industry. In addition he uses sarcastic diction to make it seem like the cattle are being forced into a situation in which they are being tricked into something cruel. "As the ramp gently slopes upward, the animals may think they're headed for another truck, another road trip- and they are, in unexpected ways." (P. 172)