Connection

This poem relates to David Sedaris’ memoir on many levels.  For instance, in the first stanza of this poem the poet writes “There’s one in every family,” This quote signifies the uniqueness of someone in a family, in David’s family it’s him.  He is by far the most unique person in his family.  He is a comedian, a radio host, and an author.  In his book all he talks about is how eventful and insane his life is.  Also in the second and third stanza of this poem it says “Who catalogues and makes collections Of family feats, and noble deeds,” This means that the unique one of the family records events of his families craziness and how his family does moral things.  Of course this poem is written with a sarcastic tone so you can tell that this is false and by family feats and noble deeds she means family fights and unsettling issues.  So in Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim the quote can be connected to how David’s memoir is like a recording of all of the misshapes in his family life.  Furthermore, the fourth stanza states “And ancestral recollections,” Which can be compared to the memoir itself and how it is David’s past.  The fifth stanza, “At last when all of the data’s in,” So when the memoir is finished and put into the public for all to read.  Sixth stanza, “The clan has got its pedigree”  Which means like, the family has gained a high classed reputation something is going to happen.  The last two stanzas “(Never mentioning Great Uncle Pete… They hanged him from an old oak tree.)”  These last two stanzas really and truly represent the irony and sarcasm of Sedaris’ memoir and how he and his family are so different from the world.  

The poem’s in general figurative relation to the memoir is how David’s book was written to show all of what he wanted to show and still make fun of everybody.  For example he wrote the memoir with the kind of sarcasm and irony that you would expect from someone who is extremely annoyed at you and is using a very condescending tone.   

Word count: 364