After Cowboy Chicken Came to Town seems to ultimately center around the concept of American capitalism, particularly its negative aspects. While the article starts with the success of Cowboy Chicken, an American fried chicken restaurant that an American entrepreneur started in China, the success seems fleeting in comparison to all the trouble it soon causes. After a short time, Mr. Shapiro and Peter, the owner and manager, decide to expand the restaurant into a buffet, a classic American concept that seems so bizarre to the Chinese who are accustomed to much smaller availability of food. The Chinese quickly become obese, and after some time, many become ill after consuming such massive amounts of fried chicken and cheesecake, American foods that shock the stomachs of the Chinese. While this essay never blatantly critics the American way of capitalism, it seems to imply that capitalism will, if it hasn't already, destroy America, or any other country it consumes. Ha Jin clearly displays how the American way of buffets and fast food contribute to obesity and poor health in people, as well as the stress and forced nature of a capitalistic business. I'm interested to see if the appearance of McDonalds and other American dietary styles in countries overseas leads to as many health issues as it has in America, or if this is simply an American flaw.
Vocabulary:
Bandora - a musical instrument, similar to the guitar, played in the Renaissance era
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