StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...

Meat as Faith: Jims Transformation in T.C. Boyles Carnal Knowledge - Essay Example

Cite this document
Summary
At first glance, T.C. Boyle's "Carnal Knowledge" appears to merely revolve around the world of meat, highlighting the differences in opinions between animal rights abusers and protestors. The story, however, speaks on a larger level about the effects of blind adherence to causes…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER95.5% of users find it useful
Meat as Faith: Jims Transformation in T.C. Boyles Carnal Knowledge
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "Meat as Faith: Jims Transformation in T.C. Boyles Carnal Knowledge"

Download file to see previous pages

"I saw those ads in the magazines, the ones that showed the veal calves penned up in their own waste, their limbs atrophied, and their veins so pumped full of antibiotics they couldn't control their bowels," says Jim "but when I took a date to Anna Maria's, I could never resist the veal scaloppini." Jim is aware of the cruelties that animals suffer hands of humans and has seen the "ads" about the treatment of animals but does not care enough to act about these cases. Rather, Jim allows his stomach and carnal sense to dictate his decisions, which is why he can "never resist the veal scaloppini.

" On a larger level, Jim represents anyone who understood the reasons for choosing a path of morality but declined because the road appeared too difficult. When Jim is prompted to act, it is not out of a deeper understanding of the hardships animals face but rather because he is intent on the direct rewards of his protesting, Alena's affections. "I thought about meat and jail and the heroic proportions to which I was about to swell in Alena's eyes and what I intended to do to her when we finally got to bed.

" Jim evokes Christians who place faith in God for the sole reasoning that they will be rewarded in heaven, rather than accept their faith because Christianity represents the correct path towards a just and moral life. Thus, Jim cares about Alena and what he intends "to do to her" much more than he does about the actual rights of animals, which will, in turn, cause Jim's transformation back to his "old" self. Throughout the story, Jim finds himself sympathizing with and missing being a meat eater.

Although Jim's love of Alena has managed to make him act in a certain manner, his affection for Alena are unable to completely sway his beliefs. During the turkey escape scene, Jim says "I was thinking of all the turkeys I'd sent to their doom, of the plucked wishbones, the pope's noses, and the crisp browned skin I used to relish as a kid. It brought a lump to my throat and something more: I realized I was hungry." ( ) Alena has been unable to shift Jim's thoughts about animals entirely because Jim's love and appreciation Alena is based on a carnal lust rather than a deeper appreciation of her character.

Like the turkey that is splattered against Alena's dashboard at the end of the story, Jim and Alena's relationship is ultimately doomed. Some readers may argue that Jim lacks the ability to support animals' rights, which is the reason why he returns to being a meat-eater at the end of "Carnal Knowledge". Jim's recognition, however, that "it's only meat" shows that he has now weighed both sides of the animal right's issue. Also, while Jim eats a McDonald's sandwich at the end of the story, he reflects about "the cavern opening inside me and how to fill it.

" Not only does this "cavern" represent the physical element of Jim, it also stands for his spiritual side. Alena only served as a distraction for Jim and never fully managed to "fill" the "cavern" within him. Jim develops in "Carnal Knowledge" from a non-supporter of animals' rights to someone who recognizes the reasons why he does not believe in protesting animal abuse. Jim is lured into the world of animal rights supporters because he seeks a physical connection with Alena. In turn, Jim's characters shows that we are only as strong as our convictions.

If we support

...Download file to see next pages Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“Meat as Faith: Jims Transformation in T.C. Boyles Carnal Knowledge Essay”, n.d.)
Meat as Faith: Jims Transformation in T.C. Boyles Carnal Knowledge Essay. Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/miscellaneous/1509988-meat-as-faith-jims-transformation-in-tc-boyles-carnal-knowledge
(Meat As Faith: Jims Transformation in T.C. Boyles Carnal Knowledge Essay)
Meat As Faith: Jims Transformation in T.C. Boyles Carnal Knowledge Essay. https://studentshare.org/miscellaneous/1509988-meat-as-faith-jims-transformation-in-tc-boyles-carnal-knowledge.
“Meat As Faith: Jims Transformation in T.C. Boyles Carnal Knowledge Essay”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/miscellaneous/1509988-meat-as-faith-jims-transformation-in-tc-boyles-carnal-knowledge.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF Meat as Faith: Jims Transformation in T.C. Boyles Carnal Knowledge

The Erie Canal and its effects

here is so much history in the Erie Canal.... The construction of the canal started in 1817 and ended in 1825.... It connects Lake Erie in the west and the Hudson River in the east.... The canal is magnificent and some referred to it as the eighth wonder of the world.... … The Erie Canal and its effects....
5 Pages (1250 words) Research Paper

History of Transportation in New Jersey

The history of Transportation in New Jersey consists of many historical railroads, canals and airlines, some of these places still exist today.... If we look at the canals than the first thing which comes in our mind is Morris Canal which was a canal that built-in a cycle of water driven to dispose the surface level in Northern New Jersey, United States....
4 Pages (1000 words) Essay

The Panama and Suez Canal

The history of the Panama Canal dates back to approximately the 16th century.... The Panama Canal is called a ship canal because it was specifically constructed for the passage… The Suez Canal is also known as the Highway to India.... The Canal is in Egypt and connects the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea and is a man made water route....
10 Pages (2500 words) Essay

Testing Chloride Concentration in South Florida Canal

This paper deals with the problem of chloride substance in South Florida Canal.... It should be noted that the South Florida canal is made up of various water sources that play important roles in the ecosystem.... These water bodies are usually affected by various anthropogenic activities.... hellip; The author of the text casts light upon one of the environmental problems - the water condition in South Florida Canal....
5 Pages (1250 words) Research Paper

Marine Transportation

Since the introduction, containers have been carried by larger and larger ships.... Discuss the reasons for the dramatic changes and impacts on maritime infrastructure asserting whether the ships will grow any bigger The global society has continuously engaged in utilities… In order to meet the growing demands of products, the shipping industry has sought to improve its utilities citing to the fact that the industry owns over 85% of the global cargo freights Reasonably, the growing demand for different commodities in different economies around the globe forces for the massive transportation of containerized goods, which on the point of destination will be offloaded and transported inland to the actual location through road and rail transport....
5 Pages (1250 words) Assignment

Orlans Vision of Carnal Art

The goal of this essay is to analyze the Orlan's vision of carnal art and body art.... According to Orlan, what one would refer to as body art, means carnal art to her.... She stands out from another artist by presenting her definition of the carnal art together with body art.... According to Orlan, the process rather than the result is the most important part of carnal art.... At this point, one would easily tell the direction to what Orlan wants the viewers to focus their attention at, and the role played by the carnal art....
2 Pages (500 words) Essay

Chloride Concentration in South Florida Canal

The following paper deals with the problem of chloride concentration in South Florida canal.... According to the text, the canal has a significant role to play in the ecosystem.... The quality of water affected by such factors as its salinity.... … The author of the paper stresses that the problem of high chloride levels in South Florida canal can be solved through the participation of all parties involved....
7 Pages (1750 words) Essay

Logistics of the Panama Canal Expansion

This paper “Logistics of the Panama Canal Expansion” considers the various logistical factors involved in the current expansion of the Panama Canal.... The challenges faced by this project include acquiring the necessary workers and designing the locks to accommodate trends in larger vessel designs....
10 Pages (2500 words) Essay
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us