A Short Story: Strangers In The Dumpster

In the esteemed collection 50 Essays, the editors recognize Lars Eighner’s On Dumpster Diving through his capability of heightening the degree and compelling concept of dumpster diving etiquette. Eighner redefines words such as “Dumpster,” by making it its own proper noun, which brings a sense of formality. He cajoles the reader’s perspective towards Dumpster diving in a positive outlook by referring it as an art and that it’s not anomalous for “respectable employed people...find something tempting sticking out of a dumpster” and “brag that they found this or that piece of trash” (108). Eighner exposes the audience the truth behind homelessness; however he also depicts that not all homeless people are winos causing trouble in the neighborhood,

careless. In a way, Eigher’s statement about college students is fair. Even though students are a

In Lars Eighner’s short essay “On Dumpster Diving”, he describes his experience of being homeless and the art of dumpster driving. Eighner prefers being referred to as a scavenger rather than a dumpster driver. Eighner stated “I like the frankness of the word scavenging. I live from refuse of others. I am a scavenger.” (383) He describes scavenging as a full time job, that requires a lot of effort. He believes that if one follows certain guidelines and rules, with doing so this could possibly help one to become efficient. One rule is knowing good place and time to look for food and other items, that could be useful. Another rule is knowing how to eat safely from a dumpster . Eighner said

In today’s society, there is an abundance of waste. This is clear in observing how people live, we often throw out items because we want something better. Lars Eighner, author of "On Dumpster Diving," writes about his experiences being homeless and how he survived on the waste of others. This provides insight on how the phrase "one man's trash is another man's treasure," is true. Jeremy Seifert, who directed the documentary Dive!, also talks about how he survives off of other people's waste, but this was a decision he made. As they tell of their experiences, Seifert and Eighner both come to the conclusion that society is wasteful. While both individuals provided good information, I believe Seifert presented the better argument. Both of

Yesterday I threw out an old jar of peanut butter with only about an inch left. It no longer served a purpose, as I had purchased a new and improved jar. As I began to toss the jar towards the garbage, I was reminded of an essay I had just read. In his essay Dumpster Diving, Lars Eighner suggests that when we throw away items, homeless people can find a way to make use out of whatever it is. Therefore, if we don't want there to be bums on the street, it is inferred that we shouldn't throw anything extra out. I myself was not supporting the homeless community, or being wasteful, I was just trying to make room in the cabinet. If I would have kept that inch of peanut butter, it wouldn't have made the world's population of homeless people try

In the essay “On Dumpster Diving” by Lars Eighner, Eighner talks about materialism and wealth. He explains his process of dumpster diving and the best places to go to dumpster dive. Eighner incorporates tone, detail, irony, observation, and ethos throughout his essay.

When your life revolves around the sea as ours does, you hear stories. Stories of deep sea monsters, mermaids, giant squids right out of a Moby Dick novel, are just some of the tales we’ve heard. Most stories about mysterious creatures we shrug off as ‘not bloody likely’, but others enter the realm of real possibility.

The figure stepped forward, towards the downed man. Its eyes glowing an eerie yellow, which reflected in the fearful eyes of the man,... eyes of a monster. The monster closed in on the man, a deep guttural laugh escaping from the monster.

Homelessness is increasing every year and effecting Americans of different age, ethnicity and religion. In Lars Eighner “On Dumpster Diving” he explains what he went through while being homeless. He describes how and what foods someone should be looking for and to always be conscious of what one is eating because there is always a reason why something has been thrown out. He continues to go into detail about other items that can be found in the dumpster like sheets to sleep on and pieces of paper to write on. Things that can keep him busy through the day. Eighner carefully explains to his readers how being a dumpster diver has become a life style for the homeless and this is how they survive. It’s a way of living and they are comfortable

In the texts, “Serving in Florida”, by Barbara Ehrenreich, and “On Dumpster Diving”, by Lars Eighner, both authors have different and similar inputs about being below the poverty line. In Barbara Ehrenreich’s “Serving in Florida” the author talks about having to survive with little pay from jobs. Ehrenreich uses negative connotations throughout her text. While in Lars Eighner’s “On Dumpster Diving” uses positive connotations when putting emphasis on having no job and dumpster diving isn’t as bad as most people make it seem.

The consumer culture of America has led to a generation that believes obtaining the latest Iphone or an expensive car is essential for happiness. Eighner, in “On Dumpster Diving,” declares they are wrong. In “On Dumpster Diving,” Eighner describes his unique personal experiences from living on the street, and reflects on the lessons he learned from his experiences. Through meaningful syntax and diction, and a non-critical tone, Eighner challenges the audience to question their futile hunt for meaningless objects and wastefulness, and consider living by the lessons Eighner learned on the streets.

Immediately in viewing this passage from Lars Eighner’s “On Dumpster Diving” it can be gathered that Eighner is judging the college students in the area he frequents. Eighner states, “the Dumpsters in this area are very rich”. This quote implies that the Dumpsters themselves hold “rich” food and items much like the students who empty their items in these college Dumpsters. This quote in its entirety suggests that Eighner, as the dumpster diver, is a very smart and calculated individual. He recognizes that, “Students throw out so many good things, including food”, and “they tend to throw everything out when they move at the end of the semester”, so when the time rolls around for the end of the semester, breaks and midterms, Eighner tracks and

A) A contemporary problem raised in “On Dumpster Diving” by Lars Eighner Is the amount of wealth spent by consumers, and the effect of that. Consumers spend too much money and waste even more when they throw food and clothing away. In the essay he explains the way of life as an scavenger and how to demonstrate how people are able to live by the minimal resources although most consumers continue to buy things they do not need and continue to waste resources that may be valuable to others. Aside from food, he additionally describes the emotional impact that living out of a dumpster can have on a person. He describes finding sad things such as "abandoned teddy bears, shredded wedding books, and pets lying in state." Seeing the pets makes him think about his dog Lizbeth and how she is likely to end up with a dumpster as her final resting place, as Eighner does not see himself having a place for her before she passes on. Rummaging causes Eighner to consider how much individuals underestimate, including the way that they can purchase something new to replace something old that they have discarded. He feels frustrated because of the individuals who don 't have that extravagance.

“So that is what a goblin looks like,” Erland scrunched his brow as he overlooked a group of three goblins moving through the forest.

These bodiless words reverberate through my ears and carries on over the miles and miles that forms the junkyard. Out of instinct, everyone ignores it, keeping their head down, as they sort through scrap metal and broken machinery. Seconds later, the yelling starts from the control tower, followed by a short scream and lots of gunfire. A few individuals around me stiffen, daring a glance at the tower.