Outside Reading: Week 4, Part 1

Quote from Running With Scissors:

"I went out to the back door into the yard. The crystal stemware was shattered, and glittered in the grass. Light from the kitchen glinted off the sterling forks, knives and spoons that were scattered everywhere. It gave the yard the magical look of a set. And I would not have been at all surprised to see Marie Osmond rise from the ground in a white sequined dress, singing 'Paper Roses'" (238).

This quote really relates to the author's personality. Augusten Burroughs is always in a horrific position. Whether it's his mother is having a psychotic episode, or a strange man is attempting to rape him. Augusten is always put into circumstances such as these that make his life complete. This is how it always has been for him. The quote tells us that there is expensive tableware scattered all over the lawn, probably a result from one of his mother's psychotic episodes. This scene would sadden most people fairly deeply, but Augusten has dealt with this his whole life, and is able to find beauty and peace in this sad yet common event. He sees how the forks, knives, and spoons look pretty because of the way the light is shining off of them. He related the tragic episode to something he would enjoy thinking about.