The distinction between the wealthy and the less-fortunate made by Berger in “Carving Up The Feast” is uncharacteristically blurred at an event such as a baseball game. Many families choose this particular event as a family staple, a classic American “day off.” Relax, kick back, drink a beer and watch the game. The kids will love it. Celebrities score box-seats at high-profile games, while even families that cannot afford expensive tickets can frequent college games or even high-school or local events. The binding thread here is the food served: whether it is Tom Cruise smiling as he wipes mustard off his fac

Mary Douglas classifies food as conveying “messages about different degrees of hierarchy, inclusion and exclusion, boundaries and transitions across boundaries” (86).

In this case, where combinations of foods are making up a more complete structure, intertextuality plays a key role in determining how we view these combinations. Meanings accumulate over time. Event upon event shaped how Americans view the hot dog or a cup of beer. Just as easily, wine could be served in mini-carafes at games and be guzzled down while shouting “Go Team!” and “That call should get you fired!” Yet that image seems goofy, comical and downright non-American. Who drinks wine at baseball games? No, we see it on movies, hear it in stories, read it in books and have been in the middle of the fun hype since before we were able to comprehend it. Hot dogs, beer, peanuts, pizza. As our culture has taught us, these words and images, when heard or when seen, connote a good time, no fuss or hassle, and the simplicity and pride of being American.

A hot dog is symbolic, standing for something it in no way resembles. The relationship between the present signifier and the absent signified is completely arbitrary. Nothing in that pink (sometimes red) fleshy, rubbery strange-looking floppy pork remnant points to or denotates “American.” It does not directly resemble an American, or any part of our culture. Yet one look at a hot dog, and the first thing that jumps to mind is Americans having fun and kicking back. Hot dogs are served during cookouts in the summertime, during sporting events, while camping, at carnivals, concerts and festivals, and on the beac

Some topics in this essay:
Hollywood York, All-American By-Products, Caucasian Americans, Tom Cruise, Mary Douglas, Thirsty Soda, Princess Diana, hot dog, baseball game, sporting events, hot dogs, role food plays, wine served, food served, americans pride, white rice, options available, hot dog beer, role food,