How Ramen Got Me Through Adolescence Analysis

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“We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.” (Abraham Lincoln) Barry and Veronique Greenwood know how difficult growing up is. In a book excerpt by Barry “Don’t even think you can do a DIY project” and an anecdote by Greenwood “How Roman Got Me Through Adolescence” there are many similarities and differences. The messages in both pieces of nonfiction are relatable because they focus on universal issues that many people will deal with in life. They use similar writing techniques, however the authors have very different personalities. The themes and messages in “How Ramen Got Me Through Adolescence” and “Don’t even think you can do a DIY project” are very alike. In the anecdote about ramen by …show more content…

Greenwoods first sign of imagery is in the first paragraph, “The cafeteria was a place of foul odors, gelatinous spills, horrific mixtures of chocolate of chocolate pudding, fruit cocktail and ketchup consumed on dares.”(Greenwood 1) This imagery appeals to all your senses in a grotesque way. In the second paragraph she uses a hyperbole ”As a survivalist must feel upon surveying his processors before hunkering in a bomb shelter. I would be fed.”(1) From this the reader can clearly see how much she appreciates Ramen. Dave Barry’s article also uses examples of imagery and hyperbole. Barry’s introduction asked “You want to install a machine with long, sharp blades whirling at hight speeds directly over the heads of live human beings?” (Barry 2) His question gives a clear mental image of the dangers of installing a ceiling fan. When Barry goes on Johnny Carson’s show, who is very amusing to Barry, he says “I was on for seven minutes at the end of the show, and it went pretty well because I was being interviewed by Johnny Carson, who could make any guest appear spontaneously funny, including Hitler.”(1) Johnny Carson is exaggerated as being a great interviewer. The two authors use similar writing technics, even through their personalities are so

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