The Great Leap Forward Summary and Analysis

After living in Chicago for a number of years, where one can rent an apartment of a descent size and still afford dinner and a movie once in a while, Sedaris moves to New York City. He soon discovers that even the smallest and dumpiest of apartments are unaffordable. Arriving in New York with no job and a small savings account to rely on doesn't help his situation.

With a budget of $12 a day, Sedaris learns to make lifestyle choices, such as walking fifty blocks to the library in lieu of the subway fare he decides to spend on a hot dog. No work and no money leaves Sedaris feeling self-conscious in comparison to the average New Yorker who walks around proudly, flaunting expensive fashion and living in tin can apartments on trendy Avenue D...