Rebecca Logan

Mr.Neuberger

Comp 102(Afternoon)

January 30, 2011

Lars Eighner-On Dumpster Diving

Real Sentiments

In Lars Eighner’s essay he writes about dumpster diving and opens the readers mind to another

level of thought for finding the value and life trash can hold. The state of mind he brings the reader to is

that one should feel sorry for oneself, because we have lost the real value of life and its true sentiments.

That being said, Lars once ashamed to have to be dumpster diving became to realize more than the fact

that he could survive the streets with other’s trash. He learned how people of different wealth including

the poor will still discard objects with sentiments still yet. Throwing out a good apple in the trash can

give way the joy of the flavors to one’s mouth. A person who has had everything taken away will learn to

enjoy life more but solemnly to a different peace of mind. Lars writes, 1“Once I was the sort of person

who invests objects with sentimental value. Now I no longer have those objects, but I have sentiments

yet” (65). He is stating this in a way for the reader to grasp the value of material importance but most

will never understand what a “real” apple tastes like.

1
Eighner, Lars. Power of Language: A Collection of Readings

New York: Pearson Custom Publishing, 2009. Print