Topic > Critical review of The Plastic Pink Flamingo: a Natural History

The Pink FlamingoIn Jennifer Price's essay, "The Plastic Pink Flamingo: A Natural History," she reveals her optimistic view of U.S. culture by comparing the characteristics of iconic pink flamingo for the American mentality with allusions to other cultures and descriptive diction. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Price's parallel with the effects of the flamingo and the American mentality is clearly shown with cultural allusions. As Price reveals his hope and vision that the generation is being reborn, he alludes to the flamingo's associations: "The early Christians associated it with the red phoenix." Jennifer Price includes this specific example to emphasize the relationship between two birds: flamingo and phoenix. In his view, the flamingo, representing Americans, is rising from the ashes, as the Phoenix is ​​known. Waking from the ashes reminds her earlier that the flamingo's life and color were "perfect for a generation, growing up during the Depression, that was ready to celebrate its newfound wealth." Price's cultural allusion to Mexico and the Caribbean, that the flamingo "remains an important motif in art, dance, and literature," further highlights his vision of U.S. culture revolutionizing his education. Americans are understanding, surpassing and developing their artistic talents, giving rise to a boldness that “the people who lived near these places have always considered the flamingo special.” Surrounding towns are taking notice of the unique qualities that “flamingos” have to offer. The diction and qualities of synonyms for various objects are manipulated by Price to allude to his mindset of American culture. His humor is evident in his opening statement: “[The Flamingo] made two important claims to audacity. First it was a flamingo (in italics).” The flamingo's choice was already bad from the start. Price's repetition of the word “audacity” accompanied by “flamboyant,” “extravagance,” and “wealth and dash” is timely for the reader to imply his views on current culture. Price saw it as a joyous and jubilant celebration for all citizens of America. Unlike the Gilded Age of America, which provided glamor to mask corruption and scandal, the pink flamingo “poured” into an “oasis of instant wealth.” The second bold statement, as Price describes, was the choice of color. His rhetorical questions in the last paragraph highlight the importance of choosing a color that “stands out in a desert even more strikingly than on a meadow.” Price's hope for a bold revival can be inferred from his argument that American culture is more extravagant because of the economic travesty it was in before. Price elaborates on his ideals with his own specific adjectives to describe the boldness of pink. “Passion pink, sunset pink…”, Price sees the culture of the United States as one with the “passion” to overcome and the “sunset” that ends an “antiquated” era to begin “looking to the future” in the prospects of the future. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Price creates his vision of American culture with subtlety. His casual tone when writing about the wonders of the pink flamingo parallels his vision of a revolution in America. The turning point and the beginning of an upward climb are all condensed in the speeches of a bold pink flamingo.