French Language
The second part of the book focuses on Sedaris’ life in France and his journey towards learning the French language. The process of learning the language akin to anything new is frustrating and filled with blunders. Sedaris takes upon him to acquire the new language which places him on a path of understanding himself better. Therefore, the French language symbolizes the act of self-development by curbing the incapacity that comes with not knowing.
Easter
The highlight of the book is the culture shock Sedaris experiences during his time in France. One of the instances he discovers a big difference between the French and American cultures is the details about the Easter holiday. Rather than associate the holiday with rabbits, as in America, the French people associate Easter with a bell that delivers chocolate. Accordingly, the holiday acts as a symbol of the cultural difference that proves that certain aspects are not universal.
Walkman
In Paris, Sedaris feels out of place mainly due to the frustration of navigating without knowing the French language. He seeks a shortcut to learning French by listening to audiobooks which in his case are barely useful in learning the language. The Walkman symbolizes the procrastination Sedaris is placing in confronting the process of properly learning the language. Moreover, it acts to block out his environment to avoid dealing with the fact he cannot communicate confidently.
New York City
In early adulthood, Sedaris moves to New York City where he does odd jobs to earn a living. The city acts as a setting for most of his frustrations about working and achievements. He highlights the unappealing qualities of the city; therefore, the city molds his view of the world. It symbolizes the disillusionment that sometimes comes with trying to accomplish one’s dreams in a space that is manipulative and competitive.
