Naked

CREATIVE ASSIGNMENT: Write an essay about a personal experience in the hyperbolic style of David Sedaris. Use the motif of performance, nudity, film/TV, lying, and/or daydreams/fantasies in your work.

How do short chapters like “Next of Kin,” “The Women’s Out,” and “Cyclops” contribute to the themes and narrative structure of Naked? Why are these minor incidents included in the book? Choose one to focus on or write about all three.

What role do struggles with mental health conditions play in Naked? Why does Sedaris make this a focal point of the book?

What is the significance of the author’s Greek American identity in his essays? How does he relate to his Greekness over the course of the book?

How does Sedaris approach gender and gendered issues in Naked? What makes these things important to this book?

Does Naked offer a moral or lesson? Does it have more than one? If so, what is it/are they? Explain your reasoning.

How does gay identity relate to the themes, motifs, and messages of this book?

What is the significance of socioeconomic class in Naked? How does David relate to his class throughout the book?