Eric Schlosser's Fast Food Nation

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The central argument of fast food nation by Eric Schlosser is that the large restaurant chains and corporations and their demand for unification have given these chains too much power over America’s food supply, economy, and society. Also the way that these corporations operate is now the framework for today’s retail economy. Small businesses are going bankrupt because of the franchising that the large companies are pursuing. Logos are an extremely effective way to convey to the ready the severity of the situation at hand. Schlosser uses this often with death tolls, injury rates, and pay. “Many slaughterhouse workers make a cut every two or three seconds, in which adds up to about 10,000 cuts during an eight-hour shift. If the knife has become dull, additional pressure is placed on the worker's tendons, joints, and nerves." (P. 173) This is extremely dangerous for the employees. The author describes the fast food industry as a business which has “infiltrated every nook and cranny" in America, and a result “in 2000 they (Americans) spent more than $110 billion." (P. 3) "The average American ate three hamburgers a week... children between the ages of seven and thirteen ate more hamburgers than anyone else." (P. 198) These statistics show just how …show more content…

He appeals to ethos when describing Jack in the Box's climb to the top of food safety, many still didn't support Jack in the Box and the efforts to improve food safety. "... Jack in the Box... assumed the mantle of leadership on the issue of food safety..." (P. 209) He also appeals to ethos when addressing the court rulings of cases for those injured on the job; this also demonstrates the unfair treatment of workers in the meatpacking industry. "The few who win in court and receive full benefits are hardly set for life... losing an arm is $36,000." (P.

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    Works Cited Schlosser, Eric. A. Fast Food Nation. N. p. : Harper Perennial, 2001. Print.

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