The subject of Dave Barry’s “Batting Clean-up and Striking Out” is the difference in attention to detail and sports as a priority between men and women. This comparison is illustrated through the use of the world series game and the clean bathroom example. These examples are clear indicators of the differences between men and women in these categories.
“Batting Clean-up and Striking Out” was written during 1996. The essay’s time of creation is displayed in the description at the beginning of the essay. There is no disputing fact, but more specifically I believe it was written in winter because it is after the world series which is in the fall. The probable place of this essay’s creation is in Dave Barry’s home. I think this because he had no mention of being anywhere else in the world.
The time and place of the essay’s creation influence the essay in that it was written after several events had occurred which led him to realize his message. We know that it was written after these events because he used them as examples.
Dave Barry’s specific audience for “Batting Clean-up and Striking Out” is men who are in some sort of relationship with a woman. The author’s target audience is revealed when Barry explains how he dealt with the bathroom situation. He is making an example of what all men should do when that kind of situation arises; he knows he cannot win and that is what he does instead.
The author’s general audience for the essay is all men. The author’s general audience is expressed when he singles out that women send him letters. If his audience was also women then he wouldn’t have made that distinction.
Dave Barry’s purpose in “Batting Clean-up and Striking Out” is to contrast men in women in certain aspects of life. After reading his essay he wants his audience to understand the differences and why they occur. The contrast is illustrated by recognizing that “men generally don’t notice [dirt] until if forms clumps large enough to support agriculture.” In the sentence prior to this one he explained how women can see dirt that is microscopic; thus, the clear difference between a man’s and a woman’s attention to detail.
Dave Barry, a humorist, believes that women pay more attention to detail than men. This value is illustrated by his use of the dirty bathroom example. He was asked to clean the bathroom, and he cleaned it even though he thought it was already clean. Then when his wife looked at it she thought it was still dirty. This attention to detail that women have is half of his purpose.
Dave Barry, once called the funniest man in America, also believes that women in general do not have a love for sports even close to the average mans. He demonstrates this with the social gaffe example of his friend Maddy. The women didn’t care at all about one of the biggest sporting events in the world. This lack of concern clearly displays and is the second half of the purpose.
Dave Barry’s use of sarcasm is evident when he describes the toy soldiers his son has next to his bathtub. The sarcasm he uses make the purpose feel less serious, yet it still makes it meaningful.
Dave Barry’s use of imagery is evident when he speaks of the bathroom at the bar he used to hang out at. This amount of dirtiness shows when men become aware of filth and why women pay more attention to detail.
Dave Barry exhibits a sarcastic and humorous attitude about the comparison between men and women when it comes to attention to detail and love for sports in “Batting Clean-up and Striking Out.” These attitudes are expressed with phrases like “God forbid he ever” and when describing how babies feel about eating dirt. The author’s tone makes the purpose less credible because it is clear he is not serious about this essay.
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