Raleigh, North Carolina

As the capital of North Carolina, Raleigh acts as the backdrop for a large portion of Sedaris’ book as well as being the author’s hometown and place of residence after dropping out of Kent State University. Racism is a relentless reality and Sedaris even notes the segregated structure of the city, referring to the line that “separates the white and black areas of town” (51). Homophobia and sexist mentalities also run rampant in Raleigh. As a witness to such vulgarity and violence, Sedaris documents the commonality of such behavior in Raleigh.

Chicago, Illinois

Located in the Midwest, Chicago provides the setting for a defining time in Sedaris’s life. After moving to Chicago to finish his undergraduate degree at the Art Institute, Sedaris begins to build upon his writing skills and develop his passion for the written word. His experiences in Chicago prepare him for...