Can't Disobey a Rule that Doesn't Exist

Although the essay on Gary Soto's piece might not be included in this week's discussions, the rewrite was this week. I came across an underlying irony in revising my essay: Soto must retain the moral that stealing is wrong in order to experience the guilt he craves. After stealing, he still asks the rhetorical question regarding the howling in his plumbing, "Was it God?" (Soto 80). Despite defying God, he still feels like it could be Him that is speaking to him through the pipes under his house in the "cool shadows" (Soto 79). This provides a contrast of the darkness under the house versus the light associated with the potential divinity that exists there. Even in the darkness of Soto's refuge from blame, a shred of holiness exists fighting to get through to him. Also, Soto retains the religious feelings like the gaze of God that makes up the "glare of the pie tin" (Soto 86). The glare is what convinces him to take refuge then greets him as he emerges. This before and after appearance of God's gaze serves to exemplify how Soto will keep some religious influences before his sin and after regardless of what occurs in between because of the nature of his guilty pleasure. He must embrace part of the rules of Christianity in order to gain pleasure through breaking them. Otherwise, he would have no guilt and no exhilaration.

Ethinc Food Fetishes

The cultural applications of "Fish Cheeks" by Amy Tan are very prevalent; however, I found the basic topic of ethnic foods intriguing. Tan describes her ethnic food in the way the typical white American, played by Robert, would: "appalling mounds of raw food"(Tan). She had squid that "resembled bicycle tires," tofu that "looked like stacked wedges of rubbery white sponges," and "slimy rock cod" (Tan). Her negative diction describing her own ethnic food derives from the fact that she is only thinking of how Robert will see their food and culture. In truth, those were all of her favorite foods. This contrast in how cultures view their own ethnic food compared to how they view other cultures' got me thinking. According to the European Food Information Council (EUFIC), food preferences are based on more than taste and appearance. In fact, the most important thing is how we experience the food. When food is associated with a positive experience like sugary cake and ice cream on a birthday, it is more likely a person will enjoy that type of food and similar flavors. The opposite is true for food associated with negative experiences like an argument over dinner. In addition to associations with experiences, food preferences and aversions are influenced by exposure to food, even prenatally. Through repeated exposure to specific foods, taste preferences to them are often developed. Also, there exists an innate neophobia, fear of new food (EUFIC). Although neophobia is often easy to overcome for older children and adults, these concepts may explain another influence on Amy and Robert's Christmas Eve dinner.