Introduction

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In his show, Bourdain sought to experience life as the locals do, discussing more than just their signature dishes but instead, gaining a deeper understanding of their cultures. The exigence behind learning about small, unfamiliar locations comes from the stereotypes one assumes about other cultures, which exist between Americans and citizens of the countries they disregard. There is a disconnect between Americans discussing Puerto Rico as a destination and discussing Puerto Rico as a country with valid issues that need to be addressed. Through his show, Bourdain expands the thinking of those who watch it as he unearths a narrative of a nation that faces strife as a colony of the United States. Because he allows the natives in the show to describe their experiences for the audience, he is able to exemplify the ways in which narratives function most appropriately when being conveyed by those who experienced it. Looking at Parts Unknown with a rhetorical lens allows for an analysis that looks beyond the simplicity of a food show; each decision made helps the perception of the narrative by appealing to the ethos and pathos of the viewer. To find commonality between the American and Puerto Rican citizens is to begin to acknowledge the privilege American citizens have and to open a dialect about how the country can do better in aiding a territory claimed by the U.S. By talking with locals and learning about their lifestyle, Anthony Bourdain creates a narrative that evokes understanding from the audience by forming what rhetorical scholar Krista Ratcliffe refers to as a  “non-identification” with the Puerto Ricans and those watching the show. 

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Read the entire essay here: https://qc-writers.com/tag/entertainment/