Let Them Eat Dogs by Jonathan Safran Foer Article Analysis Essay Example

In the article “Let Them Eat Dogs” by Johnathan Safan Foer he expresses his ideas about how socially unacceptable in certain locations eating dogs has become. He goes through writing 3 pages of different cultures around the world that view dogs the same as “animals.” With how people have gotten to the point where they view dogs as domesticated pets and part of people’s families. Compared to other societies where any undomesticated animal, doesn’t matter what kind it is, is socially acceptable as food and how we should treat other animals just as equally. Was Foer in the right for agreeing how we should be eating dogs?  

From the start of this article the author states how our world has truly become sympathetic for dogs. Foer says, “Don't eat companion animals.”(Foer, page 1) Finding other resources also claiming how we shouldn’t be eating intelligent animals. Due to them having a brain that follows commands or even just because they have feelings. Continuing to then say how other animals are intellectual animals as well. To which cows, pigs, chickens, horses, etc. should be treated the same way as dogs are. 

Throughout the author blends in how many other cultures use dogs as a source food. From his use of logos to appeal to the audience of readers. He even provides on the second page a recipe from the Philippines with the main ingredient being dog. To examples of cultures treating dogs equally to any other animal eaten in their meals. Foer also provides factual statements about how this would also help out our environment with global warming and the food chain around the world. In addition, Foer contrasts how every animal technically all has mental capacities on the first page. To which he wants to understand that dogs shouldn’t be respected on a higher level. Since every animal slaughtered has all the same aspects of what a domesticated dog has whenever trained, or even a stray. Foer later on goes to state, “Dog meat has been described as "gamey" "complex," "buttery" and "floral." And there is a proud pedigree of eating it. Fourth-century tombs contain depictions of dogs being slaughtered along with other food animals.” To try and appeal to the audience of why this wouldn’t be such a terrible idea.

Some techniques easily seen is the way the author words his article. In certain points he creates somewhat of a conversational tone with a rhetorical base. Knowing the readers can't respond, yet he replies as if he is an argument to why dogs shouldn’t be taboo to eat. He then uses the skill of providing factual information of other locations all over the world to help prove his point. This argumentative side of the article however seems to be one of Foer’s weaker techniques to appeal to his point. Lacking the realization of how readers don’t seem to care as much if things are done differently in a certain part of the world. Compared to his stronger sense of skill in the conversation technique. He’s able to provide his side of why he should be correct. In which that could change the perspective of any person in the audience from the use of logos.

Overall, Foer’s idea of eating dogs shouldn’t be taboo is very easily recognized. From comparing dogs to having the same aspects of cows, horses, chickens, pigs, etc. to how they are eaten across the globe. He provides reasonably as to why our food chain would be better and environment if we were to eat dogs. Though since dogs are respected so highly in this day and age in the United States it’s a more challenging topic to argue. Foer uses logos to try to help aid him in the argument that we should eat dogs, but only a self-respecting reader can decide for themselves.