Student Question
Which words reveal Schlosser's tone towards flavorists in Fast Food Nation?
Quick answer:
In Fast Food Nation, Eric Schlosser uses a sarcastic and ironic tone when he describes the work of flavorists. He ironically employs phrases like “poetic sensibility,” “delicate aromas,” “subtle flavors,” and “composing music” that contrast dramatically with the reality of using chemicals to create flavors. He also becomes rather sarcastic and mocking when he speaks of flavorists who “conjure illusions” while being “charming” and “cosmopolitan.”
An author's tone conveys his or her attitude toward his or her subject matter. In chapter 5 of Eric Schlosser's Fast Food Nation, the author describes the work of flavorists, who are scientists who blend chemicals to create particular flavors in processed food. We can identify Schlosser's tone as both ironic and sarcastic. Let's examine how his word choices reveal his tone.
Schlosser remarks that a flavorist possesses “a trained nose and a poetic sensibility” and notes that their work involves both science and “a fair amount of art.” Remember that we are talking about artificial flavors in processed foods here. This is not a topic usually associated in any way with art or poetry, so we understand that Schlosser's references are sarcastic. Flavorists are working with chemicals (many of them unhealthy or just plain nasty), not musical notes or beautiful words or watercolors.
In the next sentence,...
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the author mentions “delicate aromas” and “subtle flavors.” He is being ironic here, for most people would certainly not describe processed foods as having either of these traits. He then explains that the flavorist must “conjure illusions” about food to make sure that consumers will like it. The flavorist is now a magician pulling a sleight of hand trick, making something artificial and chemical appealing to the consumer palate. Schlosser is once again being sarcastic and a bit mocking toward the work of the flavorist. He is certainly not treating the job seriously.
As the paragraph continues, Schlosser notes that the flavorists he has met are “charming, cosmopolitan, and ironic.” Again, this language does not mesh with readers' expectations about the usual personalities of scientists. We wonder if Schlosser is really serious here, and we can conclude that he probably is not. His tone is sarcastic. These are scientists who manipulate chemicals to provide an illusion of flavor. The concepts of charming and cosmopolitan simply do not fit. This is ironic, however, since perhaps the scientists recognize the irony of their own profession.
The author even quotes one of the flavorists, who compares creating flavors with “composing music.” Flavors blend together like different notes in a musical score, but artificial flavors do so by combining various chemicals. The metaphor becomes ironic, for again we do not normally associate chemicals with music.
Throughout this discussion, then, Schlosser presents an assortment of words and images that sarcastically poke fun at flavorists and their profession, ironically proposing that while such work may seem artistic, it is really a science of deception.