Speak Ch 28 - Giving Thanks
Danelle Hovenkamp・2 minutes read
The narrator examines the chaotic Thanksgiving their family endures, focusing on their mother's stress over Black Friday sales while struggling to prepare a turkey, which involves unconventional methods and leads to disaster in the kitchen. As the day unfolds, the father’s attempts to salvage the situation culminate in ordering pizza after his cooking fails, showcasing the family's unique and humorous approach to the holiday.
Insights
- The narrator's Thanksgiving experience reveals the intense pressure placed on their mother, who is overwhelmed by the demands of her retail store and the expectations surrounding the holiday, illustrating how commercialism can overshadow family traditions and create stress rather than joy.
- The father's attempt to contribute to the Thanksgiving meal, despite his lack of culinary skills, underscores the theme of familial chaos and adaptability, as he ultimately abandons traditional cooking efforts for a more practical solution by ordering pizza, showcasing a humorous yet poignant shift in how the family navigates their holiday.
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Recent questions
What is Thanksgiving about?
Thanksgiving is a holiday celebrated primarily in the United States and Canada, where families gather to give thanks for the harvest and blessings of the past year. Traditionally, it involves a festive meal that often includes turkey, stuffing, and various side dishes. The holiday has historical roots linked to early colonial settlers and Native Americans, who shared a harvest feast. Over time, Thanksgiving has evolved into a time for family reunions, reflection, and gratitude, often marked by parades, football games, and the beginning of the holiday shopping season.
How to cook a turkey properly?
Cooking a turkey properly involves several key steps to ensure it is safe and delicious. First, it's important to thaw the turkey completely if it's frozen, ideally in the refrigerator for several days. Once thawed, the turkey should be cleaned and seasoned, often with herbs, butter, and spices. Cooking methods vary, but roasting is common; the turkey should be placed in a preheated oven at around 325°F (165°C) and cooked until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the breast and thigh. Basting the turkey periodically can help keep it moist. After cooking, let it rest before carving to allow the juices to redistribute.
What are common Thanksgiving traditions?
Common Thanksgiving traditions include gathering with family and friends to share a meal, often featuring turkey as the centerpiece. Many families also engage in activities such as expressing gratitude, sharing what they are thankful for, and watching parades or football games. Some people volunteer to help those in need, while others may participate in community events. Additionally, many families have unique traditions, such as specific recipes passed down through generations or games played after dinner, making each celebration distinct and personal.
Why do people stress during holidays?
People often experience stress during holidays due to various factors, including high expectations for family gatherings, financial pressures from gift-giving and meal preparation, and the desire to create a perfect experience. The hustle and bustle of shopping, cooking, and planning can lead to feelings of overwhelm, especially when balancing work and personal commitments. Additionally, family dynamics and unresolved conflicts can surface during gatherings, adding to the stress. It's important for individuals to manage their expectations, prioritize self-care, and communicate openly with family members to alleviate some of this holiday pressure.
What is Black Friday shopping?
Black Friday shopping refers to the day following Thanksgiving in the United States, known for its significant sales and discounts offered by retailers. It marks the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season, with many stores opening early and offering special promotions to attract customers. The term "Black Friday" originated from the practice of using black ink to denote profit in accounting, as retailers often move from the red (loss) to black (profit) during this busy shopping day. While it can be an exciting opportunity for bargains, Black Friday is also associated with chaotic shopping experiences, long lines, and sometimes aggressive behavior among shoppers.
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Summary
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Thanksgiving Chaos and Unconventional Traditions
- The narrator reflects on Thanksgiving, contrasting their family's experience with the historical context of the holiday, noting that their mother becomes extremely stressed due to the pressures of Black Friday, which follows Thanksgiving, and her unrealistic sales goals for her retail store. She is depicted as overwhelmed, relying on cigarettes and black coffee while obsessively calculating her store's performance.
- On Thanksgiving morning, the mother is still working on her laptop, neglecting sleep, and frantically preparing a 10-pound frozen turkey, which she attempts to thaw in a sink filled with hot water. The narrator feels a sense of obligation to maintain family traditions, despite their mother's chaotic approach to cooking, which includes using an ice pick to remove the turkey's insides.
- As the day progresses, the father attempts to help with dinner after the mother leaves for the store, showcasing his own struggles with cooking. He uses a hatchet to butcher the turkey and expresses a desire to make stuffing like his mother used to, while also trying to manage the chaos in the kitchen, including washing the turkey with detergent.
- The father's cooking efforts lead to a disastrous turkey soup that he finds unsatisfactory, prompting him to order pizza instead, specifically a double cheese and double mushroom pizza, while humorously burying the failed soup in the backyard, highlighting the family's unconventional Thanksgiving experience.
