"Me Talk Pretty One Day" is a novel written by David Sedaris. Rather than discuss the novel in its entirety, this blog is just on an excerpt from pages 11-20. Sedaris tells the story from first person point of view, in the form of one massive, extensive anecdote. In this excerpt, Sedaris tells his readers about his experience in France. He writes that he traveled for the educational opportunity, intending to go back to school, learn the language, engage in the culture. However, his intentions aren't exactly fulfilled. Sedaris soon learns that its quite difficult to learn a new language and embrace a brand new culture when you are in the fourth decade of your life, and its even more difficult when your teacher verbally abuses you.
He expresses his struggles in a variety of ways. Humor is a big aspect throughout the excerpt, it helps to keep the reader engaged and interested in what he has to say. Sedaris uses the simplest form of colloquial language to attempt to express what it felt like sitting in his French class: gibberish. This helps the reader to understand just how little of a grasp Sedaris had on the language. Sedaris' writing also appeals to the pathos, or emotional aspect, of the readers. Whilst reading, you feel a sense of remorse and guilt for Sedaris in specific, as well as the other students in his class. The title itself kills two birds with one stone. It does a great job of illustrating the concept of the essay, and provides humor. I'd say that the intended audience is honestly anyone at or above the reading level of an 8th grader.
Sedaris, David. Me Talk Pretty One Day. N.p.: n.p., n.d. 11-20. Print.
He expresses his struggles in a variety of ways. Humor is a big aspect throughout the excerpt, it helps to keep the reader engaged and interested in what he has to say. Sedaris uses the simplest form of colloquial language to attempt to express what it felt like sitting in his French class: gibberish. This helps the reader to understand just how little of a grasp Sedaris had on the language. Sedaris' writing also appeals to the pathos, or emotional aspect, of the readers. Whilst reading, you feel a sense of remorse and guilt for Sedaris in specific, as well as the other students in his class. The title itself kills two birds with one stone. It does a great job of illustrating the concept of the essay, and provides humor. I'd say that the intended audience is honestly anyone at or above the reading level of an 8th grader.
Sedaris, David. Me Talk Pretty One Day. N.p.: n.p., n.d. 11-20. Print.
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