Go Carolina

Nonfiction | Essay / Speech | Adult | Published in 2000

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Essay Analysis

Key Figures

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Literary Devices

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

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Discussion Questions

Symbols & Motifs

The Lisp

Sedaris describes how even as a child he had a sibilant lisp; when he pronounced an “s” sound, it came out as a “th” sound. The lisp symbolizes David’s difference from most of his classmates and the rest of society. He spoke differently; therefore, he was different. However, the lisp was an important part of his identity, and being forced to correct it felt like he was being forced to change who he was. Although the lisp could be seen as symbolic of a gay sexual orientation, it wasn’t that definitive. Although it had caused negative comments and remarks from his teachers, and even David knew he was different, the lisp was part of him, and he’d always communicated well and had been understood. The lisp being called out as a problem made him feel insecure because he was then forced to hide it, especially from Agent Samson during his speech therapy sessions. Therefore, he manipulated his vocabulary to avoid words that exposed the lisp and to avoid criticism from the speech therapist or society. However, in the end, the lisp remained, affirming that although he was different, that difference would one day provide a sense of individuality rather than “otherness.”

Speech Therapy

Sedaris depicts speech therapy as symbolic of societal pressures to conform. The school’s teachers identified boys by name who were thought to need speech therapy, and David’s teacher made no effort to use discretion or respect his privacy; instead, when it was time for his weekly session, she explicitly announced in front of the entire class that it was time for David to go to speech therapy, which was embarrassing and humiliating for him. “Agent” Samson, the speech pathologist who worked with the boys, was blunt, cold, and conniving. She made no effort to form a relationship with them, tricked them into speaking words that exposed the lisp, and didn’t consider them as individuals. Just like society, she showed no recognition for differences and worked to make them conform. In the end, however, societal pressure is revealed as the real culprit: On David’s last day with Samson, she confessed that, like the boys, she felt pressure to fit a societal mold: She was forced to be a tough, rigid speech therapist to meet the school’s expectations for her role. However, she left the school having made no progress, illustrating that society’s pressures to conform affect everyone regardless of their role.

Sports

Sedaris uses sports as a motif to represent traditional male identity and the need to conform. David disliked physical education and often made excuses to avoid participating in sports. Whenever someone asked him what his “favorite” sports team or player was, he’d respond by mentioning what he knew was their preference or ask them and then agree. When Samson tricked him into saying he favored “State” as a team and thus exposed the lisp, he was mortified. Although he preferred traditionally feminine activities to sports, he made an effort to appear as though he had an interest in sports and other things typically associated with being a man of heterosexual identity in order to fit in and not draw attention to his difference. Scouting likewise receives mention as a typically male activity, though sports is the biggest symbol in this regard.