Tuesday, October 20, 2020

Reading & Questions for Bourdain, A Cook's Tour: Introduction, Chapters 1 & 3


NOTE
: Remember that Thursday classes meet this week (October 22nd), though this is not due then. We'll introduce the book and some ideas related to it, though the questions below are due next week. Be sure to get the book and start reading, since your next two papers will be drawn from it! 

Read "Introduction," "Chapter 1: Where Food Comes From" and "Chapter 3: The Burn." (you don't have to read Chapter 2, but if you're interested, feel free--you can use it in your paper if you want. But I'm only requiring the three chapters above for now). 

Answer 2 of the following:

Q1: How does the "Last Meal Game" inspire Tony to go on his grand food adventure? What is he looking for or hoping to find? Do his ambitions seem realistic--or ridiculous?

Q2: Upon witnessing the brutal death of a pig for his supper, Bourdain notes how the locals respond to the bloodbath. As he writes, "Imagine your Aunt Minnie brining you a plate of cookies as you sat in front of the TV, a string of human molars strung casually, like pearls, around her neck" (22). Does he condemn the local Portuguese for taking such joy in the spectacle? Or does he learn to appreciate, in some degree, why they do this? Since this is a disturbing chapter, what does he want us to take away from this display?

Q3: One thing he says over and over in this book is "the things missing from the average American dining experience" (28). What are we lacking that other countries seem to enjoy or appreciate? How is our relationship with food and eating lacking? What does he think we've forgotten about food?

Q4: At the end of Chapter 3, Tony is filled with shame as he writes, "Suddenly, this is not fun anymore. I'm ashamed. How could I come to this city, to this country, filled with enthusiasm for something so...so...meaningless as flavor, texture, cuisine?" (63). What causes him to feel this way, and why is he continually ashamed of filming a TV show as he travels across the globe? What's wrong with being a culinary tourist, in his mind? 

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The Final Exam! See below...