As we have developed as a society or civilization overtime, we have become more and more reliant on technology. Humorist David Sedaris, author of several collections of personal essays, and stories describes his experience with a neighboring family in “Us and Them” and how they did not have a television set. Sedaris recounts how they acted like an actual family and enjoyed spending time with one another. Sedaris provides an overarching theme that makes us all look at ourselves and how we revolve our lives around technology. Through the use of anecdotes and irony, a humorous tone, and organization of the essay, Sedaris conveys his message that technology has made us less of families and made us more greedy and anti social. Sedaris uses multiple
…show more content…
By getting the audience involved, Sedaris makes you think about how you watch TV whether it is the news or your favorite TV show instead actually talking to you parents and siblings. This conveys the message that because of technology we have become antisocial and how we are no longer having family dinners in most families even though it was very common a few decades ago. Sedaris creates irony when he describes how his mother gave the Tomkeys candy when they were trick-or-treating a day later, with the words “‘Not those,’ I pleaded, but rather than words, my mouth expelled chocolate, chewed chocolate, which fell onto the sleeve of her sweater. ‘Not those. Not those.’” (803). Which the night before Halloween Sedaris’ family put out a sign that stated “DON’T BE GREEDY” (801) which creates a sense of irony because that is exactly what Sedaris is doing when he refuses to give some of his candy. The irony helps convey his message that technology and the further development of society has made us greedy and we do not have the compassion we used to have. This also creates more pathos because most of us as children would not share our candy even if the other kids
By getting the audience involved, Sedaris makes you think about how you watch TV whether it is the news or your favorite TV show instead actually talking to you parents and siblings. This conveys the message that because of technology we have become antisocial and how we are no longer having family dinners in most families even though it was very common a few decades ago. Sedaris creates irony when he describes how his mother gave the Tomkeys candy when they were trick-or-treating a day later, with the words “‘Not those,’ I pleaded, but rather than words, my mouth expelled chocolate, chewed chocolate, which fell onto the sleeve of her sweater. ‘Not those. Not those.’” (803). Which the night before Halloween Sedaris’ family put out a sign that stated “DON’T BE GREEDY” (801) which creates a sense of irony because that is exactly what Sedaris is doing when he refuses to give some of his candy. The irony helps convey his message that technology and the further development of society has made us greedy and we do not have the compassion we used to have. This also creates more pathos because most of us as children would not share our candy even if the other kids