The first time I laid eyes on the book Everything’s an Argument, before having been enlightened by its argument that everything is an argument, I was unusually drawn to the cover, mostly to its bright colors, interesting pictures, and overall unique style. I would like to emphasize that the meaning of the title, which by the way was written in bright yellow letters, had not yet quite sunk in.
As I began reading the book throughout the week, learning about arguments in different contexts and how they are used to appeal to the heart, to the character within, and to our reasoning, I soon realized how this book’s cover, this blue piece of carton was so blatantly arguing with me! Yes, an argument was made and I was suckered in by all the aforementioned tactics. It is quite clear to me now, after reading only the first five chapters of Everything’s an Argument, how the authors were sneakily and quite cleverly awaiting to establish a great set of ethos by providing supporting evidence their claims.
Therefore, having at least a basic knowledge of how to identify an argument, I would like to revisit Gaffigan’s use of humor to argue against the nationally known Hot Pockets. It is clear, as he is a comedian, that he is appealing to our hearts, pathos. He is making us laugh and simultaneously, whether we would like to or not, making us agree with him at that particular moment that Hot Pockets are indeed essentially unhealthy and a poor food choice. At the same time, his usage of humor in getting his message across is also an appeal to ethos as is could be the determining factor of whether he can connect his character successfully with his audience. Will he turn off his audience by going too far or will this joke be just as funny as the others if not more? Pathos and ethos are not the only rhetorical strategies utilized by Gaffigan of course. The comedian goes on to use a variety of tools, most obviously, the repetition of the jingle of the product, which changes with the context of his argument. By utilizing this dynamic repetition he is able to emphasize and reemphasize the point that he would like to make: Hot Pockets are unhealthy and are mostly eaten by the lower classes.
I do have to admit that although we have been bombarded by claims and extremely supporting evidence that our language seems to be dominated by argument and that everything is an argument, I still have lingering doubts. I find myself asking, just as the book does, “If everything is an argument, is the clothes we wear also an argument, the sports we love, the statement “I Love You” ?
