David Sedaris's "Old Faithful"

            Relationships can become boring at times, but that is not always a bad thing.    In “Old Faithful” by David Sedaris, Sedaris talks about how sometimes relationships that are not always exciting, can still be a good relationship in a very different way.  He uses many examples where many people at first glance will say there is no way that it could be relatable, because the examples and images he uses can cause the reader to become uncomfortable.  However, if the reader takes some time to look at the deeper meaning of the themes presented, they find that they can relate well.  Sedaris uses the boil to represent how much Hugh and the main character care about each other.  When Hugh willingly offers to “lance” off the boil, he is showing that he cares enough about the main character that he will pop a boil on his but because he is in a lot of pain.  It is not always about how fun or exciting that a relationship is but more about how much they care about each other.

            This story, while being very graphic and bizarre, had a very relatable deeper meaning.  Sometimes, in a relationship, things can seem boring to an outsider, but those are sometimes the moments that are missed the most while apart from each other.  With my girlfriend, some of the times I miss the most are when we are just with each other, whether it be sitting on her couch in the basement with my arm around her while watching a movie, or we are just laying down next to each other taking a nap.  Sometimes we end up spending hours on the phone not saying too much but not wanting to stop talking to each other.  David Sedaris shows that even if a relationship seems boring on the outside, the two people in the relationship can still be very happy. 

            When a relationship becomes boring at parts, it can sometimes cloud the deep love that a couple has for one another.  The main character felt that the relationship was growing boring and started to question the relationship when Hugh shows his love and devotion by offering to do something nasty, by popping his boil.  David Sedaris uses a very different approach that people are used to.  He uses very graphic images and themes that on the surface make people uncomfortable, but in the end conveys a deeper meaning that is very relatable.