45 pages 1 hour read

David Sedaris

Naked

Nonfiction | Essay Collection | Adult | Published in 1997

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Chapters 11-14

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapter 11 Summary: “Dinah, the Christmas Whore”

At their father’s behest, David and Lisa take part-time jobs at cafeterias in two different malls. Lisa works the steam tables at K&W. David is a dishwasher at the Piccadilly and spends most of his time there working with a hot, noisy industrial dishwasher while “fantasizing about a career in television” (85).

David imagines starring in a sitcom opposite a “brilliant and loyal” proboscis monkey named Socrates. Each episode would involve traveling to new locations, and each one would end with David “[reminding] both my friend and the viewing audience of the lesson I had learned. ‘It suddenly occurred to me that there are things far more valuable than gold,’ I might say, watching a hawk glide high above a violet butte” (87). Plotting out these episodes proves difficult, and David often struggles to complete the “It suddenly occurred to me that…” formula. He observes his ex-convict coworkers for inspiration and finds their behavior “lazy” and uninspiring.

David’s job becomes more demanding during the Christmas season, making it much harder to concentrate on his imaginary adventures. He develops a resentment of the mall’s customers, regarding them as vapid “sheep.” Likewise, he regards Lisa as “joyfully normal” and depressing.

Related Titles

By David Sedaris

Plot Summary

logo

Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim

David Sedaris

Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim

David Sedaris

Study Guide

logo

Go Carolina

David Sedaris

Go Carolina

David Sedaris

Plot Summary

logo

Let's Explore Diabetes With Owls

David Sedaris

Let's Explore Diabetes With Owls

David Sedaris

Plot Summary

logo

Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk

David Sedaris

Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk

David Sedaris

Plot Summary

logo

When You Are Engulfed in Flames

David Sedaris

When You Are Engulfed in Flames

David Sedaris