SOAPSTone

Batting Clean-Up and Striking Out

By Dave Barry

Subject-

The subject of Dave Barry’s “Batting Clean-Up and Striking Out” is the differences in men and women. Men and women’s differences are illustrated by the author’s use of explanation throughout the article about the main differences in men and women. He mentions that women are sensitive about filth. Women always notice dirt around the and always have to make sure that it gets cleaned up. Men, on the other hand pay no notice to dirt; men are sensitive about sports. If a sports game is on they have to watch it so that they don’t miss a good game. The author explains how these differences are true through one gender and not the other.

Occasion-

“Batting Clean-Up and Striking Out” was written during the 1980’s and/or 1990’s. The essay’s time of creation is displayed in the introductory paragraph that gives some facts about Dave Barry. The paragraphs states that most of his works were published in the 1980’s and 1990’s. This means that this article was probably published in that time period as well. The probable place for the essay’s creation is Miami, Florida. The introductory paragraph states that he lived in Miami and worked for their newspaper. If he lived in Miami this article was probably written there.

The time and place of the essay’s creation influence the essay in the things that he chose to use as stories to provide support for his argument. The author uses baseball to show men's sensitivity for sports and in the 80's baseball was very popular, but it is not as popular now.

Audience-

Dave Barry’s specific audience for “Batting Clean-Up and Striking Out” is men and women that are in a relationship. The author’s target audience is exhibited by the use of examples that he uses about him and his wife. He uses examples such as when he cleans the house or the dinner they went to so that he can target men and women in relationships. His real life stories about his marriage target people that have a partner and influence men and women in relationships.

The author’s general audience for the essay is men and women of America. The author’s general audience is shown by the author’s emphasis on male and female differences in America. His emphasis on these differences in America targets all Americans because it shows how men and women are different.  It doesn’t show differences in a specific group of men and women just men and women as a whole.

Purpose-

Dave Barry’s purpose in “Batting Clean-Up and Striking Out” is to show that men and women are different in the things that they are sensitive about. The contrast between men and women’s sensitivities is revealed by the author saying, “The primary differences between men and women are that women can see extremely small quantities of dirt.” The author mentioning this shows the reader that there are differences in men and women and their sensitivities. This shows that women are very sensitive to dirt while men are not. The purpose is further revealed by the quote, “The opposite side of the dirt coin, of course, is sports. This is an area where men tend to feel very sensitive and women tend to be very callous.” This illustrates how women do not have the sensitivities as men. Men are sensitive about sports and not filth.

Speaker-

Dave Barry, born in Armark, New York, believes that women are sensitive about filth. This value is illustrated by his emphasis on women’s sensitivity about dirt in the article. He says, “The primary difference between men and women is that women can see extremely small quantities of dirt.” This shows how he talks about women being aware of dirt at all times. The author’s value supports the purpose because the author truly believes it therefore he can convince his readers more.

Dave Barry, Haverford College graduate, believes that men are sensitive about sports. This value is illustrated by his emphasis on men’s sensitivity in sports. He says, “This is an area where men tend to feel very sensitive.” This shows how he believes that men really are sensitive about sports and they always have to watch them. The author’s value supports the purpose because the author truly believes it therefore he can convince his readers more.

Dave Barry’s use of imagery is evident in the stories that he tells because the reader can imagine them. The author’s use of imagery helps to get across his point that men and women are different because it makes it more clear for the reader. His piece is also more effective because of it.

Tone-

Dave Barry exhibits a comical and judicious attitude about the differences between men and women in “Batting Clean-Up and Striking Out”. These attitudes are expressed by the author’s humorous tone when telling stories of his past that relate to the differences between men and women. Also the author judges all men and women when he is explaining his argument. He acts as if all men are one way and all women are another way when they are not at all. The author’s humorousness shows that he is very comical and the way he judges everyone shows that he is judicious. This tone helps the author to show how the differences of men and women are important but they can also be funny; for example, his use of the stories about his life.  Also he helps to show that all men and women have differences but women are the same and men are the same by having a judicious tone.