Mr. Mancini had a singular talent for making me uncomfortable. He forced me to consider things I’d rather not think about — the sex of my guitar, for instance. If I honestly wanted to put my hands on a woman, would that automatically mean I could play? Gretchen’s teacher never told her to think of her piano as a boy. Neither did Lisa’s flute teacher, though in that case the analogy was obvious. On the off chance that sexual desire was all it took, I steered clear of Lisa’s instrument, fearing that I might be labeled a prodigy. David Sedaris
About This Quote

In this quote, the author is trying to make a point about how society defines what it means to be a musician. The author is saying that society’s definition of a musician is based solely on the instrument they play. In this case, the author says that a boy would play a boy’s instrument and a girl a girl’s instrument, which determines how they are treated in the world of music. If society sees someone playing an instrument that can be associated with a different sex, then that person will be looked at differently in the world of music.

In the case of Gretchen and her guitar, she is being treated as an oddity by her teacher because she plays a boy’s instrument. In the case of Lisa and her flute, she is being treated as an oddity by her teacher because she plays a girl’s instrument. Society may not have any effect on you in your life, but it does have its effects in your life if you decide to give in to society or rebel against it.

Source: Me Talk Pretty One Day

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More Quotes By David Sedaris
  1. Sometimes the sins you haven't committed are all you have left to hold onto.
  2. Everyone looks retarded once you set your mind to it.
  3. Like all of my friends, she's a lousy judge of character.
  4. We were not a hugging people. In terms of emotional comfort it was our belief that no amount of physical contact could match the healing powers of a well made cocktail.
  5. If you aren't cute, you may as well be clever.
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