Introduction next to death and taxes, fast food might be the most unavoidable experience for americans. America will spend more money on fast food than higher education. The dark side of the allamerican meal questions and answers discover the community of teachers, mentors and students just like you that can answer any question you. To a degree both engrossing and alarming, the story of fast food is the story of postwar america. As american as a small, rectangular, handheld, frozen, and reheated apple pie. Prior to the rise of large meatpacking plants, people would become ill from bad food in small, localized arenas. The book is a work of nonfiction with chapters that cover the dangers of the fast food economy, from slaughterhouse conditions to health issues to environmental devastation. Its not only a critique of fast food, the chemicals we are ingesting and the health problems we are facing, it is also critical of a system that allows exploitation of young, old and immigrant workers, and of the suburban sprawl. He visited fast food restaurants, he visited meatpacking plants, and. Based on the text you are reading, answer the following questions in complete sentences in a reading journal. The dark side of the allamerican meal by eric schlosser is not just a book about food, but also a wideranging critique of american society. The story leads to southern california, where the emerging automobile culture and interstate highway systems helped change the american diet after world war ii.
Schlosser goes into great detail about the research he had done to prove his point. On any given day in the united states about onequarter of the adult population visits a fast food restaurant. Jan 17, 2001 fast food nation points the way but, to resurrect an old fast food slogan, the choice is yours. The fast food nation lesson plan is downloadable in pdf and word. Fast food nation points the way but, to resurrect an old fast food slogan, the choice is yours. Fast food nation summary from litcharts the creators of. In some ways it reminds me of upton sinclairs the jungle. In this expose, awardwinning journalist eric schlosser explores the effects of the american fast food industry on global health, labor conditions, and the environment. For more on the relationship between lowwage workers and the fastfood industry see barbara ehrenreichs nickel and dimed. Eric schlosser begins his account of the american fast food industry by focusing on one region of the united states in particular. Everyday, thousands of americans intake fast food in high quantities. The dark side of the allamerican meal, by eric schlosser. Thus far in the book, schlosser has focused on specific people in specific locations colorado springs, greeley, etc. Eric schlossers expose revealed how the fast food industry has altered the landscape of america, widened the gap between.
The book points out ray krocs idiosyncrasies, some of which were politically incorrect, and many of which would be illegal today. Eric schlossers expose revealed how the fast food industry has altered the landscape of america, widened the gap between rich and poor, fueled an epidemic of obesity, and transformed food production throughout the world. Apr 16, 2010 fast food nation many feel that the fast food industry is providing a valuable service by catering to consumer needs. In 1998 schlosser wrote an investigative piece on the fast food industry for rolling stone. Fattening up a controversial article published in rolling stone in 1999, schlosser considers all the ways in which fast food has lessened the quality of life in america.
Overall the novel, fast food nation, was well written, but a little too lengthy. Determine which chapters, themes and styles you already know and what you need to study for your upcoming essay, midterm, or final exam. The word file is viewable with any pc or mac and can be further adjusted if you want to mix questions around andor add your own headers for things like name, period, and date. As with its cousin, super size me, which focused on the dangerous health issues connected to fast food consumption, you dont need to be a vegetarian to be horrified by fast food nation. According to the wellknown book, fast food nation, a survey discovered that 88 percent of respondents worldwide could identify the golden arches of mcdonalds, while a only 54 percent recognized the christian cross. The fast food industry has strong influence on the economy and society of american. He vows to trace the impact of fast food companies both backward and forward in the food chainfrom the farmers who raise steer and grow potatoes, to the agribusinesses that process the food, to the restaurants like mcdonalds that sell it, to the consumers who eat it.
But schlosser argues that these statistics are misleading, since only those franchises still in business are. The dark side of the allamerican meal from the worlds largest community of readers. Fast food nations message claims fast food nation analysis. Almost every facet of american life has now been franchised or chained. For people who dont have time to prepare meals, for households in which both parents work, theres no question it provides a service.
Nobody in the united states is forced to buy fast food, writes schlosser. A reaction to fast food nation, a book by eric schlosser. Fast food nation is a fascinating and very readable book. I couldnt resist sharing two powerful quotes found toward the end of the book something to keep in mind if you tend to hit the fast food joints on the weekend as an easy out to making something at home. Eric schlossers fast food nation is an attempt to describe how american eating and foodproduction patterns have changed since world war two. Fast food nation makes a great effort to identify many of the cultural, personal, and political issues in play within the fast food industry, though it does little to incite change. What are the differences between fast food nation the. Fast food nation is an informational book that lets readers in on the actual food process. The dark side of the allamerican meal, is a thoughtprovoking, researchbased account of the rise of the fast food industry and the resulting consequences of the drive for lowcost, rapidly prepared meals. The servers, farmers, ranchers, and factory workers have little power or control. These citations may not conform precisely to your selected citation style. Litcharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in fast food nation, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work. Now, because meat is distributed all over the nation, an outbreak of food poisoning in one town may indicate nation wide epidemic.
With its strong arguments and factual evidence, the author. Inside youll find 30 daily lessons, 20 fun activities, 180 multiple choice questions, 60 short essay questions, 20 essay questions, quizzeshomework assignments, tests, and more. The dark side of the allamerican meal questions and answers discover the community of teachers, mentors and students. Teach your students to analyze literature like litcharts does. Apr 06, 2001 during my research for the book, i ate an enormous amount of fast food. What began as a twopart article for the magazine turned into a groundbreaking book. Instant downloads of all 1296 litchart pdfs including fast food nation. Fast food nation, like numerous other recent films infused by social and political protest, reflects perplexity and bewilderment in the face of the complex problems posed by the present situation. Fast food has hastened the malling of our landscape, widened the chasm between rich and poor, fueled an epidemic of obesity. Fast food nation is the kind of book that you hope young people read because it demonstrates far better than any social studies class the need for government regulation, the unchecked power of multinational corporations and the importance of our everyday decisions.
Fast food nation the groundbreaking work of investigation and cultural history that has changed the way america thinks about the way it eats and spent nearly four months on the new york times bestseller list now available on cassette. Though created by a handful of mavericks, the fast food industry has triggered the homogenization of our society. The american way the first part, takes a historical view of the fast food business by analyzing its beginnings within postworld war ii america while meat and potatoes examines the specific mechanisms of the fastfood industry within a modern context as well as its influence. Fast food nation by eric schlosser books the guardian. Fast food nation topics for discussion eric schlosser this study guide consists of approximately 47 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of fast food nation. In an age when ronald mcdonald is the second most identifiable fictional character to young children after santa claus, fast food embodies a number of modern american characteristics. Ive been juggling several books and have just now finished eric schlossers fast food nation, which i blogged about a while back.
The characters exist mainly to illustrate certain key points of the book this is especially true of the mexican immigrants. Every day in the united states, 200, 000 people are sickened by a food borne disease. In 2001, fast food nation was published to critical acclaim and became an international bestseller. His chief objection is not that it tastes badfar from it, he insists, going on to examine, for instance, why mcdonalds fries lauded by the likes of julia. A vocabulary list featuring fast food nation by eric schlosser, introductionchapter 4. That is one of the main reasons people buy fast food. If the book presented concrete solutions, i do not recall many of them, it works better as a highlight reel of atrocity rather than a meditation on possible. Fast food has impacted business, mass production, and health of americans.
Fast food nation by eric schlosser, introductionchapter. A nations diet can be more revealing than its art or literature. Fast food nation does make some important points about the industry, but it doesnt quite work as cinema. During my research for the book, i ate an enormous amount of fast food. Now, because meat is distributed all over the nation, an outbreak of food poisoning in one town may indicate nationwide epidemic. Reading guide for fast food nation by eric schlosser. As the subtitle of his book, the dark side of the allamerican meal. This trend is likely to continue as many fast food giants pledge to clean up their act when it comes to the health of their customers and the planet. Organization of fast food nation point of viewtone i thought that the author made a good choice in his point of view because it seemed very credible because he has done all the research and then wrote about it. Throughout the text, he emphasizes the point that fast food is a corrupting force that impacts nearly every aspect in america whether its in relation to health, politics, economy, society, etc. How has the real value of wages at fast food restaurants changed over time. Aug 24, 2008 the book is a work of nonfiction with chapters that cover the dangers of the fast food economy, from slaughterhouse conditions to health issues to environmental devastation.
Fast food nation many feel that the fast food industry is providing a valuable service by catering to consumer needs. He has received a national magazine award and a sidney hillman foundation award for reporting. Fast food nation by eric schlosser, introductionchapter 4. Dangerous health issues the focus in fast food nation.
Fast food nation ends with a call for consumers to demand better treatment of workers and more healthful, safer food. Schlosser writes that this is a book about fast food, the values it embodies, and the world it has made. The health risks of unhealthy eating habits in fast food nation, a film by richard linklater. An eyeopening look at aquaculture that does for seafood what fast food nation did for beef. New york times bestseller schlosser has a flair for dazzling scenesetting and an arsenal of startling facts.
Fast food nation part 1 chapter 1 summary course hero. What is the average job turnover rate in the fast food industry. Schlosser clearly demonstrates that this industry alone has been. May 01, 2009 ive been juggling several books and have just now finished eric schlossers fast food nation, which i blogged about a while back. Free online study guide, notes, and analysis for the full novel. Where did the term come from and how does it apply to the fast food industry. It thoroughly explains what happens at the slaughterhouses all over the country. Learn the important quotes in fast food nation and the chapters theyre from, including why theyre important and what they mean in the context of the book.
The fast food nation lesson plan contains a variety of teaching materials that cater to all learning styles. Fast food nation goodreads meet your next favorite book. Mar 01, 2012 fast food nation points the way but, to resurrect an old fast food slogan, the choice is yours. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Aug 10, 2001 fast food nation ends with a call for consumers to demand better treatment of workers and more healthful, safer food.
In considering the effect fast food has had abroad, schlosser emphasizes the significance of his research. Include any vocabulary terms you needed to look up and define. The book demonstrates how americas fast food system resembles an empire more than a republic. Fast food nation chapter 10 study guide thebestnotes. Schlosser charts this transformation by tracking many different people. Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on litcharts. What are the differences between fast food nation the book. Schlosser wrote the novel fast food nation in attempt to show america the dark side of the fast food industry. Whether you see burgers, chicken nuggets, and footlong subs in your future or not, read on to.
During a relatively brief period of time, the fast food industry has helped to transform not only the american diet, but also our. The movie presents these same issues in the context of a story. Colorados front range, or a group of cities including denver, colorado. The dark side of the allamerican meal fast food nation. Often lowwage workers, relegated to kitchenless hotel rooms have limited food options. This chapter depicts the rise of fast food restaurants through the rags to riches life story of entrepreneur carl n. Moreover, there is a classelement at stake in fastfood consumption. Fast food nation is a fine piece of muckraking, alarming without beling alarmist. Fast food is certainly ripe for this perspective because it is a chief american export.
Eric investigates on the different locations where food is prcessed and learns how everything started in the business or in the world. Schlosser attributes the rise of fast food in large part to the. Behind the counter critical reading questions directions. Jan 17, 2001 fast food nation is a fascinating and very readable book. Name three problems and discuss the causeeffect relationship between fast food and each problem. Take our free fast food nation quiz below, with 25 multiple choice questions that help you test your knowledge. Those key points come across just as clearly in the book that is the source material.
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