Us and Them by David Sedaris

David Sedaris is an American humourist, author, and radio contributor. His essays and short stories are often about his family life, middle-class upbringing, and other autobiographical details. 

David Sedaris's short story "Us and Them" is a humorous and poignant exploration of class and social differences. The story follows David, a young boy who moves to a new neighbourhood and meets the Tomkeys, a family of hillbillies who live in a trailer park. David's family is middle-class and they view the Tomkeys as being "other." They are often rude and condescending to them.

However, David is fascinated by the Tomkeys. He sees that they are kind and loving, even if they are different from his own family. He also learns that they face many challenges, such as poverty and discrimination.

As David gets to know the Tomkeys, he begins to see that they are not so different from his own family after all. They are all just people trying to make their way in the world. In the end, David realizes that there is no such thing as "us" and "them." We are all just people, and we should treat each other with respect, regardless of our differences.

The story is told from David's point of view, which allows the reader to see how his perception of the Tomkeys changes over the course of the story. The story is full of humour, but it also has a serious message about the importance of understanding and respecting people who are different from us.

The story is set in the 1970s, a time when class and social differences were more pronounced than they are today. However, the story's message is still relevant today. We live in a world where people are often divided by class, race, religion, and other factors. "Us and Them" reminds us that we should not judge people based on their appearance or their social status. We should all be treated with respect, regardless of who we are or where we come from.

The story is also a commentary on the role of television in our lives. The Tomkeys do not own a television, and they are often baffled by the things that David and his family talk about. They see television as a waste of time and a distraction from the real world.

In contrast, David's family is constantly watching television. They use it as a way to escape from their own lives and to avoid dealing with real issues. The story suggests that television can be a harmful force in our lives if we allow it to become a substitute for real human interaction.

"Us and Them" is a thought-provoking story that challenges us to think about the way we view people who are different from us. It is a reminder that we should all be treated with respect, regardless of our class, race, religion, or any other factor.

Themes from the story "Us and Them":

Class and social difference: The story explores the ways in which class and social differences can shape our perceptions of others. David's family is middle-class and they view the Tomkeys as being "other." They are often rude and condescending to them. However, David is fascinated by the Tomkeys and he eventually comes to see that they are not so different from his own family after all.

The importance of understanding and respecting people who are different from us: The story reminds us that we should not judge people based on their appearance or their social status. We should all be treated with respect, regardless of who we are or where we come from.

The role of television in our lives: The story suggests that television can be a harmful force in our lives if we allow it to become a substitute for real human interaction. The Tomkeys do not own a television, and they are often baffled by the things that David and his family talk about. They see television as a waste of time and a distraction from the real world. In contrast, David's family is constantly watching television. They use it as a way to escape from their own lives and to avoid dealing with real issues.

THE RAVEN

             Edgar Allan Poe is a famous American poet and fiction writer. His stories are noted for horror and supernatural element. In this poem ‘The Raven’ he narrates his horrible experience with Raven which has entered his chamber in a storming midnight.............(Read more)

AFTER APPLE PICKING

BY ROBERT FROST

This is a pastoral poem that appeared in Frost’s volume of poems called ‘North of Boston’. This nature lyric presents and experience in daily life in simple and casual way. It describes the experience of the Apple-Picker who has been working throughout the day. It reveals his sense of fatigue and fulfilment he felt after a day’s work...........(Read more)

Indian Thought in Emerson, Thoreau and Whitman

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Vedanta philosophy was one of the several thought currents from abroad. It reached American in the early decades of the 19^th century. It influenced the thinking of the American writers Emerson and Thoreau. In this essay V.K. Chari analysis how vadantic philosophy has influenced the writing of Emerson, Thoreau and Whitman...........(Read more)

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-Mark Twain

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Arcturus is his Other Name

-Emily Dickinson

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     She wrote about death, immortality, time and love. Nature placed a vital role in her poems...............(Read more)

Young Goodman Brown

-Nathaniel Hawthorne

Young Goodman Brown is a short story by the American author Nathaniel Hawthorne. The story takes place in the seventeenth century, puritan New England. The story is set during the Salem witch trails.

The story is about the recognition of evil and depravity as the nature of humanity. Hawthorne attempts to explore the hypocrisy of the puritan culture. In this story Young Goodman Brown self examines himself and it results in his loss of faith............(Read more)

Chapter 3 An Outline of American Literature

“The Rise of a National Literature" and an American Renaissance

 Introduction to American Literature

CHAPTER 3

The Romantic period

          The romantic movement originated in Germany  spread to England and reached America around 1820. The New England Transcendentalists - Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, Walt Whitman and their associates were the inspired by the romantic spirit.,,,,,,,,,....(Read more)