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David Sedaris Commencement Speech Analysis

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The function of a commencement speech is to reflect on thee experience, but not to be overtly boring. Sedaris does just that, he makes a very relatable speech and mixes in some humor. “We worshipped a God named Sashatiba, who had five eyes, including one right here, on the adam’s apple.” (311) and then he goes on to talk about bad grades, pressure of parents, drugs all the things you could face. “The answer of course was life. What the hag chose not to fortell- and what we, in our certainty could not have fathomed-is that stuff comes up.” (314) It can be inferred that by ‘stuff’ Sedaris simply means obstacles. You never really know where you’re going. You can only think. Sedaris basically says, hey I’m not going to act like I know it all,

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