The Plastic Pink Flamingo: A Natural History

In Jennifer Price's , "The Plastic Pink Flamingo: A Natural History", Price uses a 52 % ​condescending/mocking tone, an allusion, and juxtaposition in order to convey her views on American culture.

Price starts off immediatly with a condescending tone in the title with her use of the word "natural". It is obvious the plastic flamingoes are not natural, therefore setting the tone for the article. The continuation of Pri​​ce's attitude toward American culture is seen again in paragraph two when she states, "...architects employed the playful Art Deco style...this was a little ironic, since Americans had hunted flamingoes to extinction...but no matter." Price provides the reader with this piece of irony to show how wrong it is to be producing fake, plastic animals that were once real and that were killed by those same people who would soon mass produce them.

The juxtaposition Price provides starting in paragraph one, "Miami Beach's first grand hotel, The Flamingo, had made the bird synonymous with wealth and pizzazz..." she then finishes up the comparison in paragraph two, "flamboyant oasis...instant riches." This diction conveys that the middle class version of wealth that is very childish. This juxtaposes the tackiness of a plastic, pink flamingo and the upper class in America.

Price also uses allusions in her essay, including : Tom Wolfe, Karal Ann Marling, both of which are quoted, and Elvis Presley. The quotes given from Wolfe and Marling are another interesting comparison made by Price. In Wolfe's quote he uses words such as, "electrochemical" which provides the connotation of something that is fake or man-made, and Marling uses "sassy pinks" which gives the flamingoes a more fun and child-like quality -- nostalgia. When using these quotes Price is providing both sides of her argument.

Price's rhetorical strategies are used in order to show the consumerism that has become the forefrontof American society.

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This was the first rhetorical analysis we were asked to write a full essay on in class, and I remember it being difficult to put into words how the devices used by the author and the effect that they have on the reader, as well as how to interpret the authors purpose of those devices. Although it was difficult to get past this barrier, I was able to find a meaning behind this piece, which is the absurdity of howlarge American consumerism has become, and I learned that once you find any interpretation of an essay and are able to prove your opinion through the essay you can properly analyze a piece of writing.

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