Dumpster Diving

¶ … Dumpster Diving, by Lars Eighner [...] observe the author's life, ethics, and give an opinion on them. The job of Dumpster diving would seem sleazy and disgusting to many, but Lars Eighner gives his scavenging dignity and purpose in his poignant essay about the life of a scavenger on the streets. THE LIFE OF A SCAVENGER Lars Eighner writes of his years as a Dumpster scavenger with humor and pathos.

It is very clear he is an educated and lucid man from his writing, and at first, it is natural to feel sorry for him - he has no home, and nothing to call his own, except his dog, Lizbeth, who it is clear he loves very much. However, as his story progresses, it is quite clear he is not looking for pity. He is simply sharing the tips and tricks of his trade, as any other worker would do.

He does not want the reader to feel sorry for him, he simply wants them to understand what it is he does, and why. He makes Dumpster diving seem somewhat exciting and mysterious, rather than sleazy and disgusting. He also makes it clear this is not what he would prefer to do, but since he has too, he will make the best of it. He even writes essays about his experience, which is certainly innovative and interesting.

He is certainly making the best of a bad situation, and it seems because he has such a good attitude, that he will not be Dumpster diving forever. It is also clear from the essay Eighner has pride in what he does, and considers himself an expert at scavenging from Dumpsters. As he notes about food offered to a friend, "That question has always made me angry. Of course I would not offer my companion anything I had doubts about" (Eighner 505).

He has learned how to spot edible food from experience, and much of his essay revolves around food, which makes sense, one must have food to survive, and so finding food for himself and Lizbeth every day is his top priority. Eighner does not take himself or his predicament too seriously, which is also clearly illustrated in his writing. He has a sense of humor "...but botulism is almost certainly fatal and often the first symptom is death" (Eighner 505), and sees his scavenging as an opportunity, not a curse.

He is quite pragmatic about what he does, and does not seem to be ashamed of it at all, which he explains happens as Dumpster divers become more used to what they do. "At this stage, Dumpster shyness begins to dissipate" (Eighner 508). One very interesting about his essay is the hatred he feels for the can scroungers. "Curiously, I do not mind my direct competition, other scavengers, so much as I hate the can scroungers" (Eighner 509).

It is amusing and fascinating to see that even in the world of Dumpster diving, there is a hierarchy, and it is clear in Eighner's mind, the can scroungers are at the very bottom of the Dumpster diving heap. Even in the world of Dumpster diving there are ethics, and Eighner shows he has personal ethics in several parts of the essay. He does not take drugs to sell on the streets, and he does not drink to excess.

He can recognize the value of items to pawn, and will not share personal information he finds in the Dumpsters, such as addresses, prescription information, and such. He has the.