Essay Response

On Dumpster Diving An Analysis

Lars Eighners On Dumpster Diving describes the lifestyle of living out of a dumpster.
Lars demonstrates that anyone can achieve a fulfilling life without the trappings of wealth. He
finds nearly everything he needs and sometimes more just from the refuse of others. Although
he does not live an elaborate lifestyle, he compares himself to the elite class when he states,
Anyway, I find my desire to grab for the gaudy bauble has been largely sated. I think this is an
attitude I share with the very wealthy (265-66). Because he has everything he needs, he no
longer has the desire to acquire excessive objects. His happiness does not depend on the success
of his job, but instead on the success of the days find and his faithful companion, Lizbeth. His
way of life is a testament that money is not necessary to buy happiness or the things he needs to
survive. Lars is an admittedly human scavenger, which he says early on, I live off the refuse of
others, (254) and one knows vultures are happy if a little morbid. Word Count: 181

Eighner, Lars. "On Dumpster Diving." Power of Language Language of Power A Collection of
Readings. Vol. Second Custom Edition for Ozarks Technical College. Boston: Pearson
Learning Solutions, 2011. 253-65. Print