The book Me Talk
Pretty One Day is a compilation of essays written by David Sedaris. Collectively, the essays provide an
intriguing overview of Sedaris’ life.
However, the essays can be read as stand-alone pieces and still make
sense. Thus, the focus of this
analysis is the individual essay “Youth in Asia” from Me Talk Pretty One Day.
If David Sedaris’ writing had to be described in only one
word, that word would undoubtedly be: humorous. Sedaris’ dry, witty and sarcastic tone provides much
entertainment and is an effective way of appealing to the reader. Sedaris is an American humorist,
author, and comedian, and is also known for his frequent contributions to the NPR
radio talk show “This American Life”.
That said, the essay “Youth in Asia” focuses on one particular aspect of
American life: pets, and their role in the family. Throughout the essay, Sedaris plows through the complete
list of pets owned by his family, supplying funny and often outrageous
anecdotes about each pet. Despite
the individual differences between the pets, many of their lives ended in the
same fashion: being put to sleep (euthanasia). Through this word, Sedaris reveals his command of the
English language to the audience, as he creates a motif of two Asian boys
playing (the “youth in Asia”) to provide visual entertainment in accompaniment
with the deaths of several of his pets.
This surprising combination of humor and metaphor work fabulously to
engage Sedaris’ audience, which appears to be Americans who are old enough to
connect with and appreciate Sedaris’ wit, yet young enough so as not to be
offended by some of his language and comparisons. I think that the interplay of metaphor and humor does
accomplish Sedaris’ purpose of providing entertainment and humorous adaptations
of everyday problems for the enjoyment of his audience.
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