‘Jesus Shaves’ by David Sedaris

During my second month of French class, the teacher led an exercise to encourage the use of the personal pronoun "one." She posed the question, "What does one do on the fourteenth of July? Does one celebrate Bastille Day?" and asked for suggestions on how to celebrate. "Could one sing on Bastille Day?" she queried. "Or dance in the street? Someone please provide an answer."

David Sedaris' "Jesus Shaves" is set in a French classroom, where the author's humor serves as a key element in engaging the reader until the final sentence. The passage opens with the line, "It was my second month of French class" (415), which implies that all students are at the same level of basic grammar and culture as they are new to the course.

However, as the story progresses, it becomes clear that the author's classmates are at a different level than he is. With wit and humor, Sedaris depicts his classmates' behaviors, particularly the woman from Morocco who seems to be the class showoff. Fluent in French since childhood, she attends the class solely to refine her grammar, and her confident demeanor is in stark contrast to the rest of the class.

Order custom essay ‘Jesus Shaves’ by David Sedaris with free plagiarism report

450+ experts on 30 subjects Starting from 3 hours delivery

Get Essay Help

The crux of any religious belief is faith, a concept exemplified by our mere presence in that French classroom. Why else would we struggle through grammar lessons designed for six-year-olds, if not for the unwavering belief that we could eventually improve? If I could envision myself fluently conversing in French one day, it wasn't a far stretch to imagine a rabbit visiting my home in the dead of night, leaving behind chocolate kisses and menthol cigarettes.

And why stop there? If I could have faith in myself, why not extend that trust to other improbabilities? I embraced the notion of being made in the image of an all-knowing God, guided by his watchful eye from one place to the next. The virgin birth, resurrection, and countless miracles - my heart opened wide to encompass all the marvels and possibilities of the universe.

Sedaris' ability to incorporate even the smallest of details allows the reader to vividly imagine the happenings in the classroom. For example, when he describes the Moroccan woman leaning back in her seat and shouting answers, it highlights the minor but crucial elements that add to the story's appeal. As the story progresses, Sedaris' humor shines through when the class discusses Easter.

The absence of proper grammar leads to a hilarious conversation about the different meanings of Easter. The various definitions given in the class to help the Moroccan woman understand the holiday are all comical and fail to capture the true essence of Easter.

The conversation takes an amusing turn as the class begins discussing food, as if it were the most important thing to them. Despite their attempts to explain Easter, the Moroccan woman remains confused and uninterested, returning her focus to her book. Sedaris reflects on the difficulty of explaining Christianity, even for those who speak the same language, and wonders if the language barrier played a role in their inability to convey its meaning. The story ends with a contemplation on faith and the idea that anyone can improve themselves with certainty.

Don't let plagiarism ruin your grade

Run a free check or have your essay done for you

Check my essay Hire Writer