On Dumpster Diving Analysis

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Recommended: Introduction to poverty

To some, poverty means a lack a lack of options and prospects while simultaneously being looked down on by others, which creates low self-esteem. Others would argue that being in poverty is an inability of a human being to effectively contribute to society. There is, however, a definition of poverty that should not be overlooked. Although oftentimes poverty is negative, it should not always be looked at as such, especially when one’s needs are met; for some poverty is an individual choice and defining one as a success or failure because of one’s economic standing is entirely a personal matter. Lars Eighner’s “On Dumpster Diving” describes the lifestyle of living out of a dumpster. He finds nearly everything he needs and sometimes more

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    Eighner’s most noticeable persuasive appeal is ethos. He does not ask for the audience to pity him and his lifestyle because he writes that Dumpster diving is, “a sound and honorable niche.” Eighner truly believes that his lifestyle is a good one, and he should not feel bad about it. Lars illustrates his ethos by writing, “Because I knew the Dumpster I knew the source of the pizza, and because I visited the Dumpster regularly I knew what was fresh and what was yesterday's.” The author is conveying that due to him frequenting a particular Dumpster, he began

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  • On Dumpster Diving Summary

    590 Words  | 2 Pages

    The author, Lars Eighner explains in his informative narrative, “On Dumpster Diving” the lifestyle of living out of a dumpster. Eighner describes the necessary steps to effectively scavenge through dumpsters based on his own anecdotes as he began dumpster diving a year before he became homeless. The lessons he learned from being a dumpster diver was in being complacent to only grab what he needs and not what he wants, because in the end all those things will go to waste. Eighner shares his ideas mainly towards two direct audiences. One of them is directed to people who are dumpster divers themselves, and the other, to individuals who are unaware of how much trash we throw away and waste. However, the author does more than direct how much trash

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  • On Dumpster Diving Essay

    516 Words  | 2 Pages

    Didion and Eighner have different styles of writing, but they both created writings with an instructional component. In both pieces of literature, they guide the audience like a mother to child, guiding us step by step in order to perfect the outcome. Joan Didion’s “On Keeping a Notebook” teaches the reader on how to keep note of the past through a notebook. “On Dumpster Diving” written by Lars Eighner, teaches the reader how to successfully dumpster dive and survive. However, Eighner’s piece included many details, whereas Didion’s ideas used examples by flowing from one top to another. It could also be said that Lars Eighner’s piece creates a more thorough analysis on how to dumpster dive. In spite of the fact that the pieces of literature

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  • On Dumpster Diving by Las Eighner

    1119 Words  | 3 Pages

    Homelessness is increasing every year and effecting Americans of different age, ethnicity and religion. In Lars Eighner “On Dumpster Diving” he explains what he went through while being homeless. He describes how and what foods someone should be looking for and to always be conscious of what one is eating because there is always a reason why something has been thrown out. He continues to go into detail about other items that can be found in the dumpster like sheets to sleep on and pieces of paper to write on. Things that can keep him busy through the day. Eighner carefully explains to his readers how being a dumpster diver has become a life style for the homeless and this is how they survive. It’s a way of living and they are comfortable doing it. “I began dumpster diving about a year before I became homeless” (Eighner 713). He tries to bring us into the world of being homeless. It is hard to imagine what it would be like in that situation, and how could surviving as a dumpster diver be a way of survival? As a dumpster diver, Eighner is able to tell us what is ok to eat and have and what is not ok for your health. His essay starts by uttering some guidelines of what is and is not safe to eat. “Eating safely from the dumpsters involves three principles: using common sense for evaluating the food, knowing the dumpsters of the given areas and always ask, “Why was this discarded?” (Eighner 714).

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  • The Appeal Of Ethos In Dumpster Diving, By Lars Eighner

    830 Words  | 2 Pages

    Eighner’s most noticeable persuasive appeal is ethos. He does not ask for the audience to pity him and his lifestyle because he writes that Dumpster diving is, “a sound and honorable niche.” Eighner truly believes that his lifestyle is a good one, and he should not feel bad about it. Lars illustrates his ethos by writing, “Because I knew the Dumpster I knew the source of the pizza, and because I visited the Dumpster regularly I knew what was fresh and what was yesterday's.” The author is conveying that due to him frequenting a particular Dumpster, he began to understand that

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  • An Analysis Of On Dumpster Diving By Lars Eighner

    1718 Words  | 4 Pages

    A) Lars Eighner, in “On Dumpster Diving”, portrays the waste that is accumulated due to modern consumerism and materialism. He also demonstrates the issue of the wage gap. Consumers of the modern age spend too much and therefore waste too much. In the essay, Eighner describes life as an scavenger and demonstrates how people are able to live by the minimal resources. “Scavengers” are able to survive on the waste of the consumer. Eighner presents this scenario as a contrast to the life of a modern consumer, in order to portray it’s unnecessary wastefulness. Mainly, food seems to be taken lightly by society, as Eighner as a scavenger finds “a half jar of peanut butter”,

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  • Critical Analysis Of Lars Eighner's Article On Dumpster Diving

    953 Words  | 2 Pages

    Step 3: 1. Eighner introduces his arguments through the use of narrative stories and his own personal experiences. He uses this technique to let the reader see firsthand how some people are able to survive off what is carelessly thrown away by others who take what they own for granted. Eighner illustrates this point on page 1, “The necessities of daily life I began to extract from Dumpsters. Yes, we ate from Dumpsters. Except for jeans, all my clothes can from Dumpsters. Boom boxes, candles, bedding, toilet paper, medicine, books, a typewriter… I acquired many things from the Dumpsters.”

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  • Dumpster Diving Analysis

    545 Words  | 2 Pages

    He teaches his readers two valuable lessons that he learned through his experience of dumpster diving; take only what you can use, and the short existence of material things. I agree wholeheartedly with these two principles. Spiritual and mental things last for a much longer time than any knick knack ever can. And indeed it is easy to believe that an object holds a sentiment to us, think backwards to what that object first transformed from. A treasure chest, a block of wood, a log, a tree, a small seed. Look at that sentimental object for what it really is and it truly is nothing more than what we make out of it. Yet we still have the sentiments and memories that object supposedly holds. I too believe that there is no reason in holding onto things that we don’t need either. Eighner is trying to explain to us that we shouldn’t place our happiness in such things that clutter our lives and are really just

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  • Dumpster Expedition

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    "On Dumpster Diving", is a rather odd but interesting piece of writing by Lars Eighner. He is a great writer and craftsman of the senates. Eighner's, "On Dumpster Diving", is considered the best chapter of the book, "Travels with Lizbeth." Eighner describes in his owns words, and tells us about his experiences with dumpster diving and even informs us about wasteful habits of the American population. Eighner conveys, "Students throw out canned goods and staples at the end of the semesters and when they give up college at midterm."(par.23). When he became homeless, he had no other choice but to make a living out of dumpster diving. Through his experiences, he uses ethical, logical and humorous approach to inform his readers about dumpster diving.

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