David Sedaris, “Otherness” Essay, Research Paper

Otherness

One may view David Sedaris, without the knowledge of his background, as abnormal or even weird. However, throughout the two stories, ?A Plague of Tics,? and ?Ashes,? he breaks down the wall of ?otherness? and allows an audience to take a look at his own personal life. Sedaris incorporates all sorts of humor to somewhat ease the tension of revealing his life and the awkwardness the audience may feel while reading his stories. The autobiographical point of view allows the audience to get a real sense of self-representation and truth, although at times the stories Sedaris share seem peculiar to the outsiders.

Using an artistic and humorous tactic, David Sedaris is able to deconstruct his own otherness and allows readers to relate his story to his or her own life. Although never mentioned in the ?A Plague of Tics,? it?s believed that Sedaris possess the disease Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (or OCD). Assuming that the story would feature the downslide of his disease, it?s evident that the story is anything but depressing. Instead, he shares the crazy antics that compliment the disease. Reflecting back on his childhood, Sedaris remarks about the duties that had to be done after reaching that exact ?six hundred and thirty seven step,? to his home after school (Sedaris 8). ?After kissing the fourth, eighth, and twelfth carpeted stair?I was commanded to stroke the burners of the stove, press my nose against the refrigerator door?and blindly jab a butter knife in the direction of my favorite electrical socket (Sedaris 10).? After completing his daily after school routine, Sedaris still feels the urge to satisfy his obsessive and odd impulses, resulting in additional foolish antics throughout the day and night. The slapstick humor, which is incorapted into the piece, reveals that Sedaris is in fact crazy. While, the humor is the writing, the physical part of slapstick comedy is still found in the subject itself, which in this case is Sedaris. It?s psychotic, but funny to think that any typical human would stick a metal knife into an electrical outlet, however these antics are normal for a person habiting the disease OCD.

When Sedaris introduces additional characters this allows the readers a better chance to relate more to his problems or situations. Sedaris?s mother instantly pops into mind when thinking of deconstructing the ?otherness? in John. She shows a side that outsiders can relate too. At times she may find John?s actions odd and annoying, however she never puts him down or betrays him. Most of the time she makes light of the situation. Talking to John?s sixth grade about his violent head shaking she suggests that the teacher should ?interpret [his] head shaking as a nod of agreement (Sedaris 16).? A little sarcastic tone helps to ease the situation and control the mood of the story. The mood before Sedaris?s mom delivered this line was dry, although straightforward. More like, an awkwardness because of the weird situation (Sedaris?s OCD antics) in which they were brought together for. Now, the mood is on the lighter side. The awkwardness is taken out, and mockery of the situation is brought about.

Setting the stage for a more modest setting, Sedaris?s opening line in ?Ashes,? declares an awaking realization. ?The moment I realized I would be a homosexual for the rest of my life, I forced my brother and sisters to sign a contract swearing they?d never get married (Sedaris 234).? Getting the audience?s attention with a witty and startling statement, Sedaris intrigues his audience to read further into his masterpiece. The statement generates ideas and thoughts in the audience?s brain, about what the Sedaris? family is truly like.

?Ashes,? is a fine example of the deconstruction of ?otherness.? One may be able to relate better to this story, rather than ?A Plague of Tics,? because it contain more familiar occurrences in life. Take for instance Sedaris?s mother?s battle with cancer. Although, scared and confused about her circumstances, she still manages to joke about her cancer. Uncovering of the recent test results of the significant tumor in her lung to David, she jokes. ??They tell me it?s the size of a lemon,? ?Not a tiny fist or egg, but a lemon. I think they describe it in terms of fruit so as not to scare you, but come on, who wants a lemon in their lung?? (Sedaris 237).? Sedaris makes light of the situation, but the mother is acting with a sense of dry humor. The statement, although sarcastic, reveals a sense of worry or anxiety about what is to happen to Sedaris?s mother in the future. In situations such as cancer or death, people tend to either react optimistic, harshly, or as Sedaris?s mother try to avoid the truth. Sedaris explains this, ?She didn?t reason, she threatened; and if that didn?t work, she chose to ignore the problem (Sedaris 237).? This deconstructs the ?otherness? of the Sedaris family by relating back to how people cope with dreadful news.

David Sedaris?s stories, ?A Plague of Tic? and ?Ashes?, are from an autobiographical standpoint. He illustrates his life as it happens to him. Like a documentarian, Sedaris is able to pick and choose what he wants in his work. If wanted to, Sedaris could leave out any important information he wishes not to share. However, reading these two stories, it shows that he exposed the most interesting aspects of his life. Combining detailed personal experiences with humor, he deconstructs preconceptions about what readers may be thinking. Sedaris pulls the readers forward, hoping they will relate to him. Humor plays a major role in this game of deconstructing. Humor, whether light or crude, shallow or dark, draws audiences to let free and enjoy. Humor is also a way for authors to get around and hide their own feelings. Lastly humor can also protect the reader. The reader could in fact never know true emotions that the author may be feeling about the situation. They could be either completely over looked or never even thought about. Humor has a way of fooling its followers. It hints towards one way and then hints towards the next making you laugh, giggle, and moan all way long with it. Sedaris?s two stories both contain different comedy techniques, but both are effective. ?A Plague of Tics,? is filled with whimsical and bizarre stunts that are talked about with a slapstick humor. ?Ashes,? is more serious, so it?s said to be of dry humor and sarcastic. The mixture of humor and true self-representation brings together the readers and writer, to emphasize deconstruction of ?otherness?.

Proving to be a most interesting author, Sedaris remarkably writes from the heart. He shows the constructive side of both his OCD and his odd family. He may view things differently and peculiar, but audiences are able to relate back easily through humor and unique techniques. ?The Plague of Tics,? and ?Ashes,? are two outstanding and informative pieces of work. Sedaris has the ability and talent to impress an audience and to reveal that ?otherness? is not a dreadful word.