The Kentucky Derby was written to persuade and entertain the reader. The essay fuses Thompson’s writing, the author, and Ralph Steadman’s illustrations to create an image of cultural corruption and indecency. He gives us a chronological recount of the events leading to the day of the Derby. He spends the entire essay talking about drunken maniacs attending the race. He also revealed that he was one them as well. The use of descriptive and vulgar language by Thompson paints a clear image in the mind of the reader of what he is referring to or what he is visualizing and allows us to experience it as if we were right there next to him. Thompson’s writing is meant to be humorous at first however, it contains cultural critiques and provide readers