When reading most research papers, I tend to zone out multiple times due to lack of interest. Yes, I understand that it was a very intense process for the writer to find all of their data, but I don’t understand why many writers tend to leave out their voice in their writing. It seems as though the paper is packed with facts, with no personal insight what-so-ever. However, in “Consider the Lobster”, I was intrigued throughout the piece. Through specific details and an abundance of footnotes, I really felt David Foster Wallace’s voice shine through in his writing. I believe this is what a research paper should truly look like, and I think it’s a great example for its genre. In terms of how I connect with the writing, I am a passionate animal lover, and I adore just about every animal I see. However, one of the flaws I have always had, is that I eat animal meat as well. When I consume animal products, I have become so used to shutting the idea of their deaths out of my head, that I normally just ignore the fact that I am actually eating that. I knew that others must have felt the same way as I did, but it was amazing to see my exact thoughts placed on paper in Wallace’s words. I’ve seen many documentaries and articles about slaughterhouses, and I’m disgusted by what is happening to those animals, yet I never stop eating meat. In “Consider the Lobster”, Wallace did an excellent job of organizing his story, and making his opinion known. Wallace included many different opinions about the festival, both from people that attend, and organizations that attend in a kind of silent protest. By spending multiple pages talking about the cruel deaths of the lobsters, his words find a way of latching onto you and dragging you down into an abyss of guilt. The only thing that keeps you afloat in this pool of shame, is the knowledge that despite this information, there are still many people that share the same feelings as you do. Although I will still probably continue to eat meat, this article does make it a little harder to ignore how the food ended up on my plate in the first place.
