Close Reading of "Of Turkish Wine and Backwards Logic" -- Nov 18th

"Of Turskish Wine and Backwards Logic"  --  Andrew Finkelhttp://latitude.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/11/15/of-turkish-wine-and-backward-logic/ 
Andrew Finkel has a passion for the country of Turkey which is evident in in his articles on the country.  The diction, imagery, and language employed in his article "Of Turkish Wine and Backwards Logic" communicates his passion for the subject. 

Finkel's word choice is effective in many ways.  He uses both higher language which gives his writing a sophisticated feel, but also common, creative words which keeps his piece relevant.   For example, in the very first sentence he writes that of "Turkish strain of NIMBY" he experienced.  NIMBY is a rather hipster term, and in fact isn't even a real word, but an acronym for "not in my backyard".   Similarly,  he uses another unique word to describe himself discounting other critics, saying that ""I had always pooh-poohed the Cassandras who believe Turkey is hopelessly divided".  Pooh-poohed could have easily been replaced with its definition, "to make light of", but used here it adds another layer of creativity, and the reader can better relate to his meaning.   To contrast these slang-like terms, Finkel is sure to use other terms such as "alacrity", (brisk and cheerful readiness) which the typical American is unfamiliar with to give the article a sophisticated feel.  

Along with the superb diction, the (figurative) language used excites the reader,  and helps them understand Finkel's passionate message.  In describing a friend's decision, he says that "no one had twisted his arm".  This is true, both figuratively and literally, as fact.  No one had touched his friend, and no one had threatened him in his decision-making.   Another exciting phrase Finkel uses to describe how the current alcohol issue had hit close to home was "[b]ut now Kulturkampf was at my dining table."  Kulturkampf, a German word meaning "culture struggle" with a historical connotation was NOT actually at his table, but the idea of a struggle between the government and society was developing right in front of him.   Lastly, his plan to solve his problem, "I would swirl, sniff, slurp, and spit my way through" is yet another great example of language that while interesting, should not be interpreted as fact.  

To bring the reader right in, Finkel uses languages to create an image in the reader's mind.  Describing his favorite location where he visited a restaurant "in my nook of Istanbul" gives the reader a little mental image of a small, cozy corner that belongs to him.  In his little nook where he interviewed a restaurateur  he found that his "logic was exactly backward" than his own.  This image of being "exactly backward" helps the reader picture the stark contrast between these two ideas, and also reinforces that Finkel's beliefs are stronger than any others.  (Or so we are led to believe.)  And finally, images of the rich "show[ing] their nobler side by investing in stone-mill olive oil presses or boutique vineyards" brings the reader to an old land which Finkel hails as home.

Finkel's fine use of the different rhetorical techniques such as diction, imagery, and language help the audience understand his passion, even on a topic that most people in the US aren't familiar with.