Topic > Analysis of Word Use in 'Dumpster Diving' by Lars Eighner

Eighner's eloquence and extensive vocabulary reveal a man who takes pride in what he has learned as a dumpster diver and who uses this knowledge to subvert stereotypes about his lifestyle. He cites examples of his experiences as a dumpster diver and his progressive journey. He tries to ennoble his way of life throughout the essay. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay He is so amazed by the dumpsters that he contacted the “Merriam-Webster search service” to ask about the word “Dumpster.” After learning about the word, start writing the word in the capital. Eighner stated, "I have since dutifully capitalized the word, although it was lowercase in nearly every quote Merriam-Webster photocopied for me." Furthermore, he detests the use of any other word instead of "Dumpster" and perceives that the word is entirely relevant in that context citing that it is "too appropriate" - showing that he sees self-respect in the use of the word. rather than shame. Eighter admires his work as an “honorable niche.” The way he presents his arguments impresses the reader. For example, he expresses his desire to live a cozy and relaxed life and at the same time admires the lifestyle of a dumpster diver. Also notable is the use of the word “scavenging” in his text. His justification for preferring the word "scavenger" as a substitute for dumpster in his case makes the reader aware that he takes his business seriously. His essay grabs attention right from the start when he indicates that he doesn't like excessive waste by stating that he would like to become a "less wasteful consumer." Surprisingly, part of his essay is dedicated to guiding people to safely adopt the profession of dumpster diving by carefully describing the dos and don'ts of picking food from a dumpster. Cautiously warning people of the dangers of canned foods due to the “possibility” of botulism, he expresses his concern about people potentially contracting illnesses as they perceive canned foods as unfailingly reliable. Eighner's critical analysis of each food reveals that his job is difficult, however, he has come up with some ways to confirm the quality of foods. From time to time, he encounters a variety of edible products that he is sometimes unsure about. Therefore, he views certain foods such as crackers and cookies with a sense of suspicion. His genuine and cautious assessment of livelihood interests the reader and the reader is bound to read it scrupulously. Aside from that, Eighter is a man of principles. This is demonstrated by an example where he states, “I have never placed a bogus order to increase pizza supply and I don't think anyone else was digging through this dumpster.” This shows that he will rather stay hungry than be dishonest. Once again, he proves himself unique from the others when he expresses his disapproval of accidentally consuming alcohol. Furthermore, he does not encourage others to adopt his profession and states that the activity is quite demanding. The way Eighter imagines the various stages of dumpster diving is astonishing. He emphasizes that man transforms and becomes a better dumpster as he advances in business. This shows that he is so dedicated to his profession that he even faced various challenges during his excursion as a dumpster diver, yet he was constantly ready to face them. Eighner tries to improve his lifestyle when he states that he is very ethical when it comes to harvesting.