The article, “Consider the Lobster” by David Foster Wallace was a very interesting read. I liked how the article was set up as a research essay with a personal element involved. I noticed how the author took a stance on his topic, but also explained both sides. I also felt that this article had an emotional element as well. The author used imagery in order to strike the reader’s emotions. For example, when describing the lobster in the boiling pot he said “…the lobster will sometimes try to cling to the container’s sides or even to hook its claws over the kettle’s rim like a person trying to keep from going over the edge of the roof.” Wallace continues to describe how in the process of trying to escape, the lobster may even rattle the top of the container, causing people to leave the room to avoid hearing the lobster struggle. Reading the description made me feel guilty. My family used to go to the Keys and catch lobster to cook during lobster season. Now that I’m older, I can understand how cruel this act actually is. Additionally, I liked how the author included the paragraph about the absurdity of a potential “Nebraska Beef Festival” where cattle are slaughtered in front of the crowd. This comparison shows how inhumane it is and poses the question: what separates lobsters from cattle when it comes to eating? Furthermore, I feel like this article is also related to vegetarianism. These same issues are the reason that many people stop eating meat. Similarly, people could ask: what’s the difference between eating a dog than eating a cow? And who decides what is acceptable and what is not? Overall, this well-written article poses a lot of controversial questions and makes the reader think.
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