Poetic Devices In David Sedaris Us And Them

In the section I selected from ‘Us and Them,’ the author, David Sedaris, uses a plethora of literary devices to comedically depict a mundane conversation and a boy’s mother’s reaction to it. The conversation depicted in the passage, and its following few lines, are perfect representations of the flow of feelings produced by uncomfortable conversation.
Throughout the passage, the author makes consistent use of hyperbolic statements for comedic effect, both overtly and covertly. The first, and perhaps less comedic example of hyperbole is in the very first line, with “out in the hallway I could hear my mother straining for something to talk about.” By saying this the narrator is implying that his mother’s strain to converse is so immense that …show more content…
Some of the implication of words used, or not used, can be very subtle; for example: ““A boat!” She said.” In this, the author seems to make a point of saying “she said” rather than “she exclaimed,” implying that the mother is saying things just to be polite, instead of out of genuine curiosity. Sometimes the author uses a group of words to imply a certain meaning, for example with “Oh, a trailer.” With these three words the author manages to encapsulate the essence of a conversation that neither party wants to be involved in. By repeating what the man just said, the narrator's mother simply talks without having anything to say. Finally, at times the author employs use of full sentences, ripe with specific words to advance his comedic agenda. The best example of this is, “Right, but is it wooden, or you know. . . I guess what I’m asking is what style trailer do you have?” The word choices in this sentence support the greater message of awkward conversation the author is intending to impart. The question “is it wooden, or you know…” seems to imply that the asker herself doesn’t know, and is simply stalling until either the words come to her or someone puts the conversation out of its misery. The mother asks “what style trailer do you have?”, a question without any real bearing, implying that she knows nothing about trailers, and is just trying to get the conversation over …show more content…
The story up until my passage was focused on the mystical Tomkeys, with plenty of room dedicated to the narrator speculating on their lives. Aside from a few lines prior to it, my selected passage is the first real interaction with the Tomkey family, providing insight into what they’re like. Thematically, my selected passage functions as the climax of the story, the break in the speculative build-up. Despite this, the build-up of the family is intended to not be worth the return, with the family being a slightly blander than average middle-class family. Following the climax, the mother finally seizes the candy, fed up with the wait, and perhaps her company as well. Comedically, the passage also serves as the boring bridge of the story, covering the gap between two sections of the narrator being a selfish kid with his candy, and bringing a different flavor of humor into the story. My passage is the part of the story that holds the whole thing together, keeping the humor fresh, while moving the story