Subject-The subject of Dave Barry’s “Batting Cleanup and Striking Out” is that men and women are very different on attitudes and opinions. Male and female uniqueness is illustrated with the author’s examples of cleanliness and athletics. He is saying how different we truly are by saying that women look more into detail about things, rather than men. He joked about this by saying women can see dirt molecules, when men can’t see them until their large clumps. This saying shows how women are more concerned with the little things. And with the example of men wanting to watch a big sports game rather than engage in small talk, shows how men would prefer observing something entertaining, rather than indulging in petty talk, like women fancy.
Occasion-“Batting Cleanup and Striking Out” was written in 1988. The late 1980’s is illustrated through the writing piece by the examples of entertainment and technological advancements. The author says that in his free time he likes to play with his etch-a-sketch, which I would consider an older manufactured toy. Also when he says: “I can hear the World Series radio and TV broadcasts in my ears”, you can imply this is a time where people were costumed to radios rather television sets. The probable place of the essay’s creation is in New York. This is the place of creation because before the article given, it states that Dave Barry was a humorist in the New York Times. So we can assume that he lives there, therefore that’s where the book was created.
The time and Place of the essay’s creation influences the essay by the types of words and phrases used. When he says things like: God forbid, social gaffes, and the sound of the radio in my ears, these are all due to the word choice and technology in that time period. Therefore these phrases influence the content within this essay.
Audience-Dave Barry’s specific audience for “Batting Cleanup and Striking Out” is men and women in relationships. The author’s target audience is revealed by the two sexes constant comparison to each other and their opinions on everyday situations. When the author kept comparing men and women’s different attitudes towards certain events and occasions, it felt like he was giving reasons for why they act that way. So through him explaining why the opposite sex acts like that, he wants the sexes to read it to better understand one another.
The author’s general audience for this essay is every single man, woman, and child in the United States. The author’s general audience is expressed by him giving general information about the behaviors of wives, husbands, and parents. By him giving information about how American men and women behave in certain situations, it is beneficial for all citizens of the United States.
Purpose- Dave Barry’s purpose in “Batting Cleanup and Striking Out” is to inform, as well as entertain us on male and female behaviors. His enlightenment and amusement on this topic is revealed when he says the following: “the primary difference between men and women is that women can see extremely small quantities of dirt.” Obviously this isn’t proven, but he is entertaining and amusing us on the idea that women have better attention to detail, through a comical and informing phrase.
Speaker-Dave Barry, whom wrote humorist columns in the New York Times, believes that everyone should learn how to speak and write proper English. This value is illustrated through a job he had for eight year at a consulting firm. He went to business people to get them to stop writing improperly, thereby showing his passion for literature.
Dave Barry, who plays lead guitar in his Band “Rock Bottom Remainders”, shows his opinion on expressing oneself. He does this by writing multiple books and columns in papers, as well as creating music. All of these ways are great for expressing your voice and personality. Through his career choices as a writer and musician, you can see the importance of expression in his life.
Dave Barry’s expression is evident in this essay when he complains about his wife’s facial expressions when he doesn’t meet her standards. By him expressing his angry reaction to this movement, it helped enhance the purpose of informing us on the differences between the sexes, by showing their disagreements on certain issues.
Tone- Dave Barry exhibits a humorous and serious attitude about male and female differences in “Batting Cleanup and Striking Out”. These attitudes are expressed by his use of comedy to explain serious issues between the sexes. when he says things like, the caring and sensitive guy I am, because of pompeii men do very little housework, and heavyweight racquetball champions from Iowa.., he is using humor and sarcasm to help get his point across. And by him being humorous with these serious topics, he is entertaining and amusing us with male and female differences.
Some good stuff and some not so good stuff in here. Look at your "speaker" section. First off it is wordy. Sections like, "whom wrote humorist columns in the New York Times," can be said in fewer words or not said at all. I want you to say a lot, but not if what you are saying has no substance. Also, I think you are missing the point of addressing the creativity of the speaker is moot. What I want you to prove is how that creativity has a bearing on what Barry is trying to do.
ReplyDelete