Fast Food Nation: Study Questions
Journals: For much of the semester, you will write journal entries based on your own thoughts and observations and on questions provided for the book we’re reading this semester, Fast Food Nation. These exercises will be a chance to explore the themes of the book and practice using outside sources, quoting, and critical thinking in response to a text. Every response for each chapter question will require at least one quote, properly introduced and punctuated—and be typed! Responses my be no longer than two pages with a 250 word minimum (including words and definitions). Each response will consist of two paragraphs: 1) An answer to one of the provided questions w/quote 2) YOUR thoughts about the chapter and/or question--no summary in paragraph two. In addition to the paragraphs, you will have at least four vocabulary words identified and defined with page number references provided. MLA from required.
The journal will not be graded for grammar, spelling, etc. I am mainly concerned with a good, solid effort. Completeness and appropriate focus and use of at least one quote are the main criteria for grading though I will point out problems with the use of the source that I will expect you to pay attention to and correct in the following journal responses. Repeated failure to properly set up quotes, however, will result in fewer points.
Introduction:
1) Explain the irony of the scene that Schlosser depicts regarding Cheyenne Mountain.
2) Identify statements that appear to act as a thesis: specific enough to identify the author’s intent but broad enough to include development of a whole book on the subject.
I “The American Way”
Chapter 1: “The Founding Fathers”:
1) What similarities of character, background, etc. do the “Founding Fathers” have?
2) Explain how cars and highways influenced the growth of the fast food industry.
Chapter 2: “Your Trusted Friends”:
1) Explain the concept of “synergy” and give examples.
2) How has the fast food industry worked its way into our schools? What do you think of this trend?
Chapter 3: “Behind the Counter”:
1) How does the fast food industry keep its workers from unionizing?
2) What problems and risks come from young people who work in the fast food industry (hint—not just crime)?
Chapter 4: “Success”
1) What are some of the risks and benefits of opening and operating a franchise?
2) Explain the problem and irony of the federal small business loans for franchises (SBA).
II “Meat and Potatoes”
Chapter 5: “Why the Fries Taste Good”:
1) How have big-business farms (“agribusiness”) influenced potato farming in the United States?
Chapter 6: “On the Range”:
1) What are the problems facing independent cattle ranchers today?
2) Explain the impact/import of the Chicken McNugget.
Chapter 7: “Cogs in the Great Machine”:
1) Why are recent immigrants good for the meatpacking industry?
2) What is the value of a high turnover rate?
3) Why does the meatpacking industry have such a high rate of turnover?
Chapter 8: “The Most Dangerous Job”:
1) What are some of the techniques the meatpacking companies use to avoid dealing with injured workers? How has the federal government helped?
Chapter 9: “What’s in the Meat”:
1) How does meat become contaminated?
2) How and why has the meatpacking industry avoided dealing with the issue?
Chapter 10: “Global Realization”:
1) Define the “archetypal symbols” listed at the top of page 226 and explain what is symbolized by each item of the list. Also define “irony” and explain how/why one might find Schlosser’s list ironic.
2) Define “libel” and explain what big mistake McDonald’s made in suing Steele and Morris. What does Morris see as the main problem w/companies like McDonald’s?
Epilogue:
1) Give one example of a business that does not follow the usual pattern of exploitation and poor quality.
2) How can we change things?
Afterword:
1) Why is mad cow disease a “powerful symbol of all that is wrong about the industrialization of farm animals,” as Schlosser says on page 272.