Pete Jordan is finally starting to get an idea of what it is he wants to do with his life so things are looking up for him as Pete recounts his life in Dishwasher. He was traveling around some more getting odd jobs here and there when he met Melanie on a ferry ride from Alaska to Seattle. They become friends and she invited him to come and stay with her. He stays for a couple of months before his money starts run low and he searches anxiously for a job. This is the first time you really see him concerned and devoted to doing something, finding a job in this case. He fears if he doesn’t get his act together and earn some money Melanie will kick him out for his bum like characteristics. He frantically searches for work but is unsuccessful due to his lack of experience and qualifications and fears it is only a matter of time before he will have to leave but, Melanie comes home ecstatic one day saying she has found him a dishwashing job at a local restaurants. He is overjoyed and runs the eight miles to get the job. On his first day of work he already feels at home and meets some fellow dishwashers. They reveal to him information about a whole dishwashing community where they refer to themselves as “a dish dog” (49), a “pearl diver” (49), and a “plongeur (that’s French talk for dishwasher)” (54) and share their stories of the places they’ve dished in. This sparks his first real new curiosity in something since maps when he was a boy. Pete is engrossed in their stories and wishes that he to could share stories of places he’s dished at being able to say things like: “where in Texas haven’t I dished?”(52). This is when the idea first strikes him; he decides he wants to travel to exotic places dishing and exclaims to his fellow dishers “I’m gonna wash dishes in all fifty states!” (52). Pete has finally established some sort of plan for his life that he is actually enthusiastic about.
Pete’s writing style makes for easy reading while still giving depth in his descriptions and personality quirks. He goes through his life adding humor to common situation and rejoicing over simple things such as the disher offering him a half eaten muffing thinking, wow I like it here already. But amidst his lightheartedness you can also depict his claustrophobia of being trapped in a situation where he can’t bail easily; he turns down many better paying jobs for this reason and you get the sense he feels comforted knowing he’s not tied down to anything and could leave at any moment if he felt the urge to. I also don’t think he is comfortable staying in any one place for two long so his goal of dishing in all fifty states will suit him wall for a career satisfying his love of traveling along with a career he enjoys to fund this travel and a lifestyle well fit for him. He now has a task laid before him that he can pursue fitting his work ethics so I look forward to seeing how it plays out for him.
Jordan, Pete. Dishwasher : One Man's Quest to Wash Dishes in All Fifty States. New York: HarperPerennial, 2007.
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2 comments:
I find it interesting that Pete is finally motivated by something that most people would be less than interested in. It just goes to show that the general definition of "success" doesn't work for everyone. Your description of Pete being claustrophobic about being trapped in his life really helped me understand Pete, too. I wonder if he feels claustrophobic or tied down because of living with Melanie, or if this is okay with him since it is his own choice.
I am very glad that Pete found a girl. I believe that this will get him motivated for life. When he meets Melanie he actually is motivated to look for a job. I am excited for Pete's new dishwashing job, I think this will help him meet some friends and it will be good for him to have a real job.I agree about what you said when Pete says, “I’m gonna wash dishes in all fifty states!” (52). I think that this will make a purpose for his life. Many people, like Pete, don't feel comfortable being tied down. But after a while I think they get used to it. I believe that Pete will get used to his job.
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