Lars Eighner once found himself homeless, scavenging dumpsters for his next meal and looking for possessions that could benefit him in this difficult time. While on this journey, Eighner discovered how wasteful today’s society is when it comes to vital materials in life. In his article, “Dumpster Diving”, Eighner uses an informative tone to emphasize the fact that people take things for granted by wasting valuable items they could still benefit from. Eighner establishes his use of logos by emphasizing his view on wastefulness in today’s society. He communicates in his article, “Perhaps everyone who has a kitchen and a regular supply of groceries has, at one time or another, made a sandwich and eaten half of it before discovering mold on the …show more content…
“I like the frankness of the word scavenging, which I can hardly think of without picturing a big black snail on an aquarium wall” (Eighner 712). Eighner uses this quote to create a sense of imagery for his audience by comparing himself to a big black snail scavenging for food as dumpster divers do. As a matter of fact, Eighner commented that he liked the frankness of the word “scavenging”, showing that he prefers a more specific term rather than the clichéd term of “dumpster diving”. Eighner continues to imply that society takes valuable items for granted by relating himself to his audience. “Once I was the sort of person who invests objects with sentimental value. Now I no longer have those objects, but I have the sentiments, yet” (Eighner 712). He conveys that he used to be like everyone else, keeping things that hold no value or use to him, but now realizing that he was also being wasteful by continuing to obtain those items. Eighner using the word “sentimental”, also proves that he has an advanced vocabulary. Henceforth, his use of figurative language heightens the seriousness of how careless people are when it comes to products such as food and other beneficial items being
The tone is portrayed throughout the story by the use of personal examples of Eighner's time having to dumpster dive. Eighner explains the effects dumpster diving made on his life and how it changed him to be the person he has become, “Once I was the sort of person who invests materials objects with sentimental value. Now I no longer have those things, but I have the sentiments” (94). Eighner reflects the tone through this quote by explaining how he used to be the type of person that would “invest” in material objects, but has transfigured to a man who does not care what the price of something is. The tone shown by Eighner clarifying how dumpster diving changed him for the better. Equally as important, Eighner continues to explain how dumpster
In the esteemed collection 50 Essays, the editors recognize Lars Eighner’s On Dumpster Diving through his capability of heightening the degree and compelling concept of dumpster diving etiquette. Eighner redefines words such as “Dumpster,” by making it its own proper noun, which brings a sense of formality. He cajoles the reader’s perspective towards Dumpster diving in a positive outlook by referring it as an art and that it’s not anomalous for “respectable employed people...find something tempting sticking out of a dumpster” and “brag that they found this or that piece of trash” (108). Eighner exposes the audience the truth behind homelessness; however he also depicts that not all homeless people are winos causing trouble in the neighborhood,
It’s amazing how wasteful people are. In Lars Eighner’s story “On Dumpster Diving” he discusses his many trials and tribulations of being homeless and scavenging for food and clothing out of dumpsters. He discovers and reveals how wasteful many stores and restaurants truly are. To date, many companies take for granted everyday items they discard, even though they may still have value to scavengers. Freegans, which are a part of an anti-consumerists lifestyle, live ethically by reusing trash; this practice of reclaiming discarded food is a form of dumpster diving (Freegan.info). Dumpster diving is good for the community because it eliminates waste and provides food and supplies for the less fortunate.
Throughout the essay, he uses his personal experiences to convey his thoughts on the practice of dumpster diving. Eighner uses this device to show the life lessons he has learned during this period in his life. He also uses it to explain to the general public that the mess which they associate with dumpster divers is not always the case. Eighner explains that there are two types of dumpster divers: polite rummagers who go through carefully, picking out what they want and leaving the rest for anyone else to use and can scroungers. Can scroungers, as Eighner explains, are usually drug addicts who dig recklessly, ruining the contents of dumpsters, and take only cans. By using his personal experiences, Eighner carefully explains that not all dumpster divers are bad, while also describing some of his personal hardships. This device was used successfully by Eighner to help get his point across to his
Lars Eighner has a very professional attitude towards the act of dumpster diving and those who go forth with it. Eighner uses certain features of style and rhetoric to help convey his professional attitude. He uses forms of the rhetoric such as his diction, the irony used, and the tone to achieve the main purpose of maintaining the “professional attitude” towards dumpster diving throughout the piece. With the use of these rhetorical forms, he is able to maintain the professional tone throughout his essay.
“On Dumpster Diving” by Lars Eighner is a collective work on the issue of Dumpster Diving, in which Eighner depicts his own adventures as a “Diver.” His development of the central contention, this “way of life” is not as it is portrayed or stigmatized, is progressed through Eighner’s inclusion of the three persuasive appeals: pathos, logos, and ethos. These three devices coupled with other rhetorical devices provide an alluring argument, in which the reader sees the other side through a new lens, and their opinions on this issue is vastly differed, upon completion of the reading.
On a daily basis we walk past several dumpsters – even though we may not see them. In the cities (mostly big and populated states) like the following: Los Angles, Boston, Chicago, Seattle, and New York City, there are over thousands of dumpsters in the alley-ways. As humans we walk by smelling the odor coming from the trash, and continue walking. In Lars Eighner’s “On Dumpster Diving” he will inform us about what he thinks and believes on the subject of dumpster diving.
Many people think that dumpster diving is a survival to search and find something in a dumpster that they needed some discarded food/drink in order to survive if they are homeless and are really hungry/thirsty. The purpose of Lars Eighner’s memoir, “On Dumpster Diving”, is to understand the style of his writing of why capitalizes the letter D in “Dumpster”. The importance of this memoir is symbolized to define his survival needs including his dog, Lizbeth which is both his living and eating at a dumpster. There are many reasons why I chose Lars Eighner’s essay, “On Dumpster Diving”. I believe the style of Lars’s memoir was effective because Lars was impressed living in dumpsters, Lars was searching and scavenging for food in a dumpster and
Dumpster Diving is an essay written by Lars Eighner. The Texan and former homeless man who roamed the streets searching for food from unpleasant sites in order to help him survive the harsh times. His loss of income made him to get food from garbage sites, which he refers to as ‘Dumpster’ He wrote this essay to express his experience as a homeless and destitute person. The essay gives a detailed explanation of how people like him struggle to get food from dump sites and the dangers they face. Eighner used basic English to describe the process of scavenging and its consequences in the essay.
The essay “On Dumpster Diving“, by Lars Eighner is based on a man who speaks of his survival as a homeless man accompanied by his dog named Lizbeth. Not only does he explain his strategies living out of dumpsters, but also the lessons he has learned as a scavenger. Most importantly I think the true message he was trying to get across is that we waste way more then we think we do, it’s in our nature.
There are many people who choose to live their life based on what they find in dumpsters. You can spot them almost anywhere because there is a great population of them. Many people that see one of these ‘dumpster divers’ view them as disgusting or inappropriate to society. People are quick to judge others when they do not relate to how they live their life. ¨On Dumpster Diving¨ by Lars Eighner is a short excerpt from his memoir “Travels with Lizbeth”, he begins to explain that dumpster diving is not a bad activity as most view it as. He talks from a dumpster diver’s perspective, and tries to prove that dumpster diving is resourceful. Eighner applies the three rhetorical appeals to establish his argument that dumpster diving is an ¨honorable niche¨, although he uses ethos the most to support his position.
A) A contemporary problem raised in “On Dumpster Diving” by Lars Eighner Is the amount of wealth spent by consumers, and the effect of that. Consumers spend too much money and waste even more when they throw food and clothing away. In the essay he explains the way of life as an scavenger and how to demonstrate how people are able to live by the minimal resources although most consumers continue to buy things they do not need and continue to waste resources that may be valuable to others. Aside from food, he additionally describes the emotional impact that living out of a dumpster can have on a person. He describes finding sad things such as "abandoned teddy bears, shredded wedding books, and pets lying in state." Seeing the pets makes him think about his dog Lizbeth and how she is likely to end up with a dumpster as her final resting place, as Eighner does not see himself having a place for her before she passes on. Rummaging causes Eighner to consider how much individuals underestimate, including the way that they can purchase something new to replace something old that they have discarded. He feels frustrated because of the individuals who don 't have that extravagance.
In Lars Eighner’s short essay “On Dumpster Diving”, he describes his experience of being homeless and the art of dumpster driving. Eighner prefers being referred to as a scavenger rather than a dumpster driver. Eighner stated “I like the frankness of the word scavenging. I live from refuse of others. I am a scavenger.” (383) He describes scavenging as a full time job, that requires a lot of effort. He believes that if one follows certain guidelines and rules, with doing so this could possibly help one to become efficient. One rule is knowing good place and time to look for food and other items, that could be useful. Another rule is knowing how to eat safely from a dumpster . Eighner said
Yesterday I threw out an old jar of peanut butter with only about an inch left. It no longer served a purpose, as I had purchased a new and improved jar. As I began to toss the jar towards the garbage, I was reminded of an essay I had just read. In his essay Dumpster Diving, Lars Eighner suggests that when we throw away items, homeless people can find a way to make use out of whatever it is. Therefore, if we don't want there to be bums on the street, it is inferred that we shouldn't throw anything extra out. I myself was not supporting the homeless community, or being wasteful, I was just trying to make room in the cabinet. If I would have kept that inch of peanut butter, it wouldn't have made the world's population of homeless people try
In today’s society, there is an abundance of waste. This is clear in observing how people live, we often throw out items because we want something better. Lars Eighner, author of "On Dumpster Diving," writes about his experiences being homeless and how he survived on the waste of others. This provides insight on how the phrase "one man's trash is another man's treasure," is true. Jeremy Seifert, who directed the documentary Dive!, also talks about how he survives off of other people's waste, but this was a decision he made. As they tell of their experiences, Seifert and Eighner both come to the conclusion that society is wasteful. While both individuals provided good information, I believe Seifert presented the better argument. Both of