Rigged To Blow Summary

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The blowout preventer in the text “Rigged to Blow” by John Ballem is an important narrative element in the story. A blowout preventer is used the event of an oil pipeline rupture and helps to siphon off the oil from the main line and block off the remaining oil to ensure the least amount is spilled. It is a form of containment for the oil. In the literal context of the story, the blowout preventer is disarmed by unknown assailants. However, Ballem suggests that there is also figurative representation for the blowout preventer. The figurative narrative defines the blowout preventer as a form of containment for the negative impact that oil companies have environmentally and socially. “Rigged to Blow” attempts to create a visibility for these issues but naturalizes their role in the problem because Latimer’s involvement in the extortion case becomes a disavowal of Astro’s injustice. Latimer becomes the …show more content…

“Zoey” is framed as a female university student, agrees with liberal ideologies, and states that her core values are environmental response, peace, human rights and workers rights. He tries to discredit liberal perspectives through “Zoey” by making her the political embodiment of liberal ideology. She becomes a figure in which he can argue against with his conservative political stance. Levant claims that his conservative values allow him to properly see the Alberta oil sands for what they are, a clean source of energy and a necessary evil. He also simplifies the rationale behind why oil production in Alberta is better because he disavows Alberta oil sands grievances by placing blame on OPEC countries because of their oppression of

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