Me Talk Pretty One Day- Rhetorical Analysis Essay

Iren Wang APENG

Award winning graduate and writer, David Sedaris, in his essay “Me Talk Pretty One Day,” narrates his experience learning french from an abrasive teacher. Sedaris’ purpose was to tell his story by recounting his experiences as an old student and conveying his struggles of learning a new language in a new country. Sedaris establishes his purpose by employing the rhetorical devices of figurative language, word choice, or perhaps the lack of words, and personal case examples.

David Sedaris’ use of personal case examples allows him to communicate his story with a relatable aspect which makes him feel more approachable to the reader. The reader may feel Sedaris is more approachable because his description of his thoughts allow the reader to experience deja vu as if they have already been in similar situations. He evokes a sense of empathy and understanding in the reader due to his use of personal case examples. His story about his learning experience in France can be related back to the reader in the sense of having to experience new things in a new environment or having an unpleasant teacher. For example, in paragraph 2, he recounts that “vacations were recounted, and questions were raised concerning mutual friends” which is used to establish common ground with the reader and show that he also has experiences the loneliness of being new and the first day of school. By talking about his surrounding and his view, it allows the reader to recall their experience. This allows the reader to empathize with Sedaris because they can understand his pain and suffering. Therefore, because he narrates his own opinions and thoughts, it allows the reader to connect with Sedaris on a more personal level.

In addition, David Sedaris also uses figurative language to further convey his experiences as a student. His use of different figurative languages such as imagery and personification allows him to paint a picture of the scenario and allows the readers to better understand his situation. Sedaris uses figurative language to demonstrate his feelings and this allows the readers to understand and comprehend what he is feeling. For example, in paragraph 5, he says “That’s the way they do it around here-everyone into the language pool, sink or swim.” This demonstrates the use of imagery to explain how they are taught. He uses this to show the harsh reality of his education and the system in France. By using imagery, he allows the readers to picture the system of education that says you can either sink or swim which represents succeeding and failing how difficult it can since they are not offered any assistance and left helpless. It allows the reader to picture the difficulty and obstacle that Sedaris is faced with. Furthermore, in paragraph 18, Sedaris says “Why refer to Lady Flesh Wound or Good Sir Dishrag” and this exemplifies personification. He uses personification to express his frustration and confusion. By using personification, the reader can clearly understand that Sedaris is ridiculing and mocking the rules of the language. Figurative language allows the reader to understand the author’s emotions and provides a deeper insight into his frustration.

Lastly, Sedaris uses word choice to help the readers understand the difficulties he is facing. By using specific words, he enables the reader to have understand that there is a stronger connection with the event or occasion. It also allows the reader to understand what the author is thinking at the moment. For example, in paragraph 6, he states “‘If you have not meismslsxp by this time… Has everyone apskiubjxow?’” By using random letters to represent the words he didn’t understand, it allows the reader to know that in his mind, he is confused and can’t make out what those words mean and demonstrates his limited knowledge. The incoherent letters allow the audience to create a deeper understanding of what the author thinks. It provides a deeper look into how the author is thinking and helps the author convey his feelings in forms of words. Sedaris’ choice of words furthers the reader’s knowledge of his thinking because it exposes the author to the obstacle of learning french for Sedaris and allows the reader to comprehend the extent of his struggle.

The difficulty of adapting and learning a new culture in a new environment was continuously brought up in the essay. David Sedaris’ essay provides humor in addition to expression of his struggles to demonstrate to the author how he overcame his struggles. He had thanked his teacher for cursing him constantly and Sedaris sense of humor is present as typically, you would not expect someone to be happy to be cursed at. The reader was able to realize that at the end Sedaris was able to understand the words fully which was why he was happy to be curse at. This humor was brought upon the reader to help them know that the author started to understand french. His beginning starts as: He was scared. He was scared he would never fit in. He was scared of never understanding. His end is: He was fearless. He was able to stand up for himself. He was able to understand.