Short Essay Analysis - Identity And Change In The Works Of Sedaris, Abdurraqib, And King

Short Essay Analysis – Identity and Change in the Works of Sedaris, Abdurraqib, and King

This analysis will explore the thematic connections and points of divergence across three distinct essays, “Leviathan” by David Sedaris, “The Vanishing Monuments of Columbus, Ohio” by Hanif Abdurraqib, and an excerpt from Stephen King’s “On Writing.” A recurring theme in these works is the question of solidity and duration with regard to the world, culture, and individual identity. In “Leviathan” by Sedaris, the author humorously explores the topic of receiving a vacation as a gift and the struggle of trying to capture the nature of a beach trip in photographs. Likewise, Abdurraqib’s essay maps the erasure of major monuments within Columbus, Ohio, and further emphasizes how such markers tend to camouflage or provide a sheen to the actual history.

On the other hand, the Stephen King excerpt goes straight to the darker side of childhood as the author describes his mother’s reminiscences of fatal accidents, erasing any layers of naivety or sentimentalism (King np). While Sedaris and Abdurraqib focus on the loss of an identity that is signified by external signifiers, King’s essay deals with the transience of human life itself. Altogether, the works considered indicate the recognition of the importance of coming to terms with the past, however painful, destructive, and unjust it might be (Abdurraqib np). Sedaris’ essay, for example, wonders about the manner in which the idealistic vision of the tropical beach erases the unseemly aspects of the situation (Sedaris np). To the same extent, Abdurraqib’s vital analysis of the controversies around Columbus monuments shows the problems of erasing such statues – a more complex understanding of history is needed here.

Lastly, these essays underscore the importance of writing as a tool to broaden the readers’ perspective and raise awareness of otherwise forgotten stories or silenced voices. Sedaris, Abdurraqib, and King position themselves as social commentators and explore the physical, cultural, and personal cartography of the world that determines one’s perception of the self and society.