In 'How Soccer is Ruining America: A Jeremiad' by Stephen H. Webb, is an essay that was written in order to mock the demographic in America that believes soccer is ruining the country. The overall tone of the essay bleeds sarcasm. It is written as if he is taking the same stance as these 'naysayers' of soccer, and often makes fun of himself throughout the Jeremiad. This is apparent in his synthesis paragraph as he states that "Last year all three of my kids were on three different soccer teams at the same time." (Webb ). Then goes on to further state that "Nonetheless, I must say that my kids and I come home from a soccer game a very happy family." (Webb ) These two sentences contradict is entire essay, making the irony apparent throughout the entire essay. With this in mind, the rest of the pieces fall into place. In Webb's third point he states that "Sporting should be about breaking kids down before building them up", and states that soccer is part of our "therapeutic society" despite that fact that soccer in of itself takes extreme training and practice in order to master. One has to learn how to not use one's hands in order to play, which is a hard habit to break when humans are known for their use of hands. This, effectively, breaks a kid down before building them up in being skillful with the rest of their body.
Further going into word choice to express his mocking tone he inserts certain phrases that one would hear being spoken by the demographic he is mocking. Phrases such as "Conservative suburban families, the backbone of America." have an effect of humor when you think of the demographic in question. Webb goes further to open up his essay with play on words "Soccer is running America into the ground." (Webb) What is humorous is that soccer is primarily a game about running and kicking, and that soccer is somehow "running America into the ground."
Further going into word choice to express his mocking tone he inserts certain phrases that one would hear being spoken by the demographic he is mocking. Phrases such as "Conservative suburban families, the backbone of America." have an effect of humor when you think of the demographic in question. Webb goes further to open up his essay with play on words "Soccer is running America into the ground." (Webb) What is humorous is that soccer is primarily a game about running and kicking, and that soccer is somehow "running America into the ground."