David Sedaris

Words: 328
Pages: 2

In his essay, the 41-years old David Sedaris, writes about his experiences on learning French at an international school in Paris, France. Starting off with the minimal French-knowledge which he had obtained in a language class in New York (which lasted on one month), he set off to Paris. Attending French class in Paris, he is instantly intimidated by how well the other students spoke the language. That however appeared to be his least of his problems, one that failed in comparison to the intimidating and strict French teacher, who tears David Sedaris and the rest of the class to ribbons, and rips all Self-esteem and fortitude out of them, because they can’t speak perfect French. David Sedaris recounts the scene as his teacher enters the classroom “The teacher marched in” (p.1), which gives the premonition of an ironclad woman. …show more content…
From this description of her behavior and personality, she seems to be belligerent and cruel, which is confirmed straightaway by the way she from the first instant she scoffs at the students for their answers in a sarcastic and insensitive tone “How is that we’ve been blessed with someone as unique as you? Tell us, please” (p.2). Just before the first class, David was enthusiastic about being France, new language; yet was just as soon replaced by the feeling of dread and dearth. The demoralizing experience in class even results in David drains his desire to go out into the streets of Paris and use the skills attained from class. He avoids things which require communicating to others in French, such as talking on the phone or going to the bank. He had no earlier problem doing these things, even though his French knowledge was very poor at that time “before beginning school, there’d been no shutting me up, but now I was convinced that everything I said was wrong.”