Assignment Paper

From the list of questions below on Michael Pollan’s article “Omnivore’s Dilemma,” choose two and write a one M-E-A-L paragraph response to each question. Keep in mind it is not a full essay, just a paragraphs including Main Idea, Example, Analysis and Linked to main idea.

1) Pollan begins his piece by introducing readers to the idea of “the omnivore’s dilemma” (1). A dilemma is when a difficult choice has to be made between at least two possibilities, usually equally undesirable possibilities. What is the dilemma an omnivores faces?

2) Pollan describes being an omnivore as “a boon and a challenge, a source of tremendous power as well as anxiety” (1). How can it be all of these things at once?

3) For Pollan, omnivore offers a number of satisfactions, among them “the pleasure of variety” and “the comfort of the familiar” (1). What does he mean here? Have your own eating habits brought you these same satisfactions?

4) According to Pollan, cultures develop “elaborate structures of taboos, manners, and culinary traditions” when it comes to eating (2). Why do cultures develop such elaborate structures? Can you think of any from your own culture that impact your own eating habits?

5) Pollan argues that a shared sense of taste “brings people together, not only in small groups but as communities” (2). How can food create communities? Are you part of a community that eats the same kinds of foods? What are they?