Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

1. What is the purpose of imagination? How does it develop, and how can it help a person cope with the challenges of daily life?

Teaching Suggestion: This prompt introduces the theme of Imagination and Reality. David Sedaris’s essays include detailed fantasies that allow him to escape from the real world and his own perceived shortcomings. Using his imagination, he envisions himself in situations in which he fulfills his dreams—often with humorous results. Students may be able to relate to and empathize with Sedaris more if they reflect on how they have personally used humor to cope with difficult situations.

• This article from TEDxMileHigh examines three different types of imagination.   
• This article from the University of Kent discusses how imagination changes in people as they age.

2. In what ways could assumptions about a country’s citizens vary from reality, especially when viewed from an outsider’s perspective? How are these assumptions often created?

Teaching Suggestion: This prompt introduces the themes of Language, Class Difference and France’s Perception of America/Americans, and Self-Identity and Sexuality.