Close Reading #2

Chris Christie and our biases about weight by Rebecca Puhl

http://www.cnn.com/2011/10/07/opinion/puhl-christie-weight/index.html?hpt=op_t1

I chose this article because we discussed this issue in my Government class as well, and I figured it would lend well to some cross curriculum thinking.  I also struggle with this article because I know I can have some of these biases.  Anyway, on to analyzing.

The very first sentence manages to characterize the authors opinion of media coverage of the obese.  Her diction lends very nicely to making the media looked bad.  The word "frenzy" makes the reader think of many things, maybe animals rushing toward a fallen prey or people shoving each other to reach a goal, but no matter what comes to mind, it's not positive.  Again in the second sentence she uses diction for a specific purpose, but this time to support Chris Christie.  She uses the word "deliberated" to describe his debate about entering the presidential race.  The word "deliberated" is very sophisticated, a word only educated people would use normally, this suggests that the subject, Christie, is also well educated.

Also, in the ninth paragraph, Puhl emphasizes that thinner employees may not be healthier.  The second sentence uses syntax to compare the possible health of obese and thin people.  By using the same form, subject verb compliment, she compares the two compliments.  The first of the two being an active life of an obese person, and the second being a lazy and unhealthy life of a thin person.

The entire article pushes for recognition of obese discrimination.  The details offered throughout suggest that not only is legislation protecting the obese necessary, but also desired by the American population.  By reporting details like, "81% of women and 65% of men expressed support for laws that would make it illegal for employers to discriminate against obese employees" (Puhl), the reader forms opinions more strongly in favor of the author's opinions.  If the reader believes that most Americans wish to have such legislation, then they are likely to side with the apparent majority.


Overall, the author creates a forceful voice to entice the reader to believe discrimination against the obese is wide spread, unfair, and needs to be addressed.