Summary Of 'Being A Stranger At Someone Else's Thanksgiving' By Erik Larson

Erik Larson uses this simile to communicate to his readers how awkward Burnham felt during this occasion. Burnham considered himself incompetent, especially since he was not able to get into Harvard or Yale and these men were able to go to these schools or schools like them. Compared to these highly trained architects, Burnham felt as if he did not belong there. Furthermore, by comparing this occasion with “being a stranger at someone else’s Thanksgiving,” Larson’s readers can comprehend how little and unwelcome Burnham was feeling sitting next to professional architects with a high level of education. By using this simile, Larson is able to describe how Burnham felt during this dinner.