4. Why does the narrator in "Glen's Homophobia Newsletter" encourage readers to mention his newsletter to others rather than lending them their copies of it?

5. Why was Don fired from his job at a cafeteria in "Don's Story"?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe The Sportsman in "We Get Along".

2. What specific directions does the narrator of "The Last You'll Hear From Me" give Eileen for the dress she is to wear to the funeral?

3. In "We Get Along", what do the narrator and his mother do late at night? Why?

4. What is the genre of "Don's Story"? How is it a "spoof" on an actual piece in this genre?

5. Why does Drew react negatively after Glen shares his dreams with him in "Glen's Homophobia Newsletter"?

6. Describe the narrator of "Parade"'s relationship with Bruce Springsteen (from his perspective).

7. Describe the narrator's imaginary nightclub act in "Music for Lovers".

8. Describe the scene at Barbra Streisand's house in "Don's Story".

9. Describe the narrator's experience with the woman on the bus in "Firestone".

10. Describe Dawn's relationship with Rusty in "Music for Lovers".

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

One of the recurrent topics in the collection of short stories "Barrel Fever" is family. Select three of the stories dealing with this topic and:

1) explain what the story says about family

2) demonstrate how the topic is developed in the story

Then explain what you think Sedaris' overall commentary on families is in the novel as a whole.

Be sure to use specific examples from the stories to support your ideas.

Essay Topic 2

In "Barrel Fever", David Sedaris offers a variety of wacky minor characters for the reader to enjoy. Select two of the following characters and compare and contrast them in an essay:

1) Taylor in "Firestone"

2) Aunt Margery in "We Get Along"

3) Marty in "Jamboree"

4) Gill in "Barrel Fever"

Essay Topic 3

Two of Sedaris' stories in "Barrel Fever" ("Glen's Homophobia Newsletter" and "Season's Greetings to our Family and Friends") are written as letters. In your essay,

1) discuss how letters are typically used by people,

2) discuss how Sedaris uses the genre of the letter in each of these stories, and

3) analyze the statement the author is trying to make about the genre of the letter.

Be sure to use evidence from the stories to support your ideas.

(see the answer keys)

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