In the story That lean and hungry look the author Suzanne Britt talks much about the differences in "fat" people and "skinny" people. She discusses that the fat people are seen as "neurotic, sick, sad people" (282). She states that fat people aren't that way and that skinny people are in fact the ones who are mean and unhappy with life. She also talks a lot about how skinny people are more logical in their thinking, but fat people have a more rounded view on life. To be honest I don't know if I agree with everything she says about the differences between fat and skinny. I am not overweight but I still know how to have fun and how to relax at the end of the day. I enjoy working out and eating somewhat right but I can still appreciate the "value of a hot fudge sundae" (282). While I was reading this essay I kinda felt put down, much like many overweight people probably do. I truly believe its a personal choice; if someone, like myself, feels better both mentally and physically by working out and staying in shape that doesn't mean someone cant feel the same way by eating and watching television.
The quote I feel is very important to the essay is, "Long after fat people have removed their coats and shoes and put their feet up on the coffee table, thin people are still sitting on the edge of the sofa, looking neat as a pin, discussing rutabagas. Fat people are heavily into fits of laughter, slapping their thighs and whooping it up, while thin people are still politely waiting for the punch line" (283). She pointing out the fact that thin and fat are different and that people view them differently. People view thin as uptight and perfectionist, and fat people as relaxed and realistic. I believe this is important because it paints a picture for me. I can really see how people might view someones size as a indicator of fun or logic.
Though I enjoyed reading this essay I was a little confused about it as well. I don't understand satire very well because I tend to take things for face value when I read. Especially when the writer makes what they are saying seem so literal. So hopefully what I wrote here makes sense for most, though for the ones who totally understood it, it may not.
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2 comments:
I was also a little confused because I don't really know how to interpret satire well either. I think we all can interpret it differently, but from what you wrote I do understand what you're saying.
at the first i was kind lost till i reread which made bit of sense to my understanding. at first the question i had in my mind was who makes fun and crack jokes of a the good things of a human character like being polite and neat and organized but that is the whole point of the satire i guess
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