Interpreting Barry using Smith Text

Assignment 2.2

Lynda Barry comic strip “Today’s Demon: Common Scents” gives a message of tolerance. The essay opens the door to societal intolerance of difference. The way we talk, the way we look, or the cultural difference makes ethnicity special. One heritage gives an individual a sense of belonging and pride. Heritage is special. Unhealthy pride causes intolerance. I believe Barry’s main purpose of the comic strip is to show that all cultures have distinctions, therefore tolerance, empathy, and understanding , are needed to commune peacefully as a society. Barry’s topic in “Today’s Demon: Common Scents” is an uncomfortable subject for those who want to stand with the politically correct crowd. It is un-nerving for some who have not decided to follow the alliance of injustice. Society has dealt with intolerance, bigotry, and bias for centuries. Yet instill, culture indifference still exist. Barry’s comic strip demonstrates the intolerances of difference in un-simular cultures. The author writes this comic strip for society as a whole. It can reach by the masses. Easy accessibility of a newspaper or news articles on the web help in delivering information. Comic strips are a part of society’s daily media. In addition, the majority understands the format of the message written in comic strips. Barry’s message of tolerance can be talked about at the dinner table; it can be viewed at the office; and most important the message is delivered. Strategies Barry uses to rely the message in “Today’s Demon: Common Scents” is shown as a comic strip. The comic strip is a method that communicates fun but important ideas. Comic strips are used in politics, news, and the media, just as a friendly reminder “this situation” is still over our head but that needs to be dealt with. It gives a more relaxed message for serious situations.
Another strategy Barry uses is displaying herself as a young child. Most children are usually unbiased and are free from judgment. Children don’t see color, heritage, or pride. Displaying herself as a young child also lightens up communicating the message.

Is it time (for all) to unite as a multi-culture society and allow each culture difference to increase humanity growth into a new society? Can this be done?
Is this possible?

Barry as a young child in the comic strip “Today’s Demon: Common Scents” welcomed the variety of different smells:

I have always noticed the smell of other people’s houses, but when I was a kid, I was fascinated by it. No two houses ever smelled alike, even if the people used the same air fresher.
Barry comments: what’s that kind again?
Neighbor comments: fresh evergreen glen
Barry comments: Yeah. At the bidman’s they got the same kind but here it smells like a fresh, um, bus bathroom.

Some of the smells were uncomplicated, like the cat pee smell of the house next door. The lady had 14 cats. It was hard to stay and visit. She sometimes burned incense with also smelled like cat pee.
Barry action: breathing through my mouth
Neighbor 2: have some peanut brittle, dear. Just pick the fur off if you’re fussy, but it won’t hurt you none. (Panel 52)

The variety peaked Barry’s interest, not only the smell but also the people behind the smell. She became more interested in her neighbors. Visiting all the houses in the neighborhood she learned more and more about the people she lived with. Barry as a young child began to learn flexibility. Flexibility is the ability of being bent, usually without breaking. Barry does not make any judgment about her neighbors she just looks and listen as she realizes the differences.

Learning this skill of tolerance allowed Barry to have an open mind, learn about other cultures while adding more knowledge to her own heritage. It appears doing this one action seemed to be a positive attribute. In most cases, it can only benefit. By opening this door, society can too enhance benefits as a whole to increase or add to one’s own personal knowledge. Now the lack of synthesis in society has shown factual truths of discord.