A First Time for Everything

The European school trip begins in Paris, and the imagery in this portion of the memoir is at its strongest here. The attention to detail in Dan’s illustrations, particularly in those of the monuments that enthralled him during his first few days in Europe, reveals their impact on him. Although he had been on vacations before, he had never been somewhere so new and different, and a long series of additional experiences awaited him, thematically emphasizing The Impact of First-Time Experiences. After days of not smiling and having a constant look of worry on his face, Dan smiled for the first time when he decided to start illustrating what he saw around him. Sketching made him happy and gave him a sense of purpose, though at this point, he kept his drawings to himself and remained insecure about his talents. In Paris, Dan discovered Fanta soda, which became the denotation for each new destination and gave him a goal to strive for on his trip. Dan’s love of Fanta soda is one of the lighter aspects to his memoir, which mainly explores more serious topics like overcoming fear. Dan’s first day out alone with Braden and Darryl was particularly important for his growth as a person because it was his first time being in a new place without adult supervision. He had to rely on and trust himself, and just one day of doing this propelled Dan’s confidence to new heights. He even climbed the stairs to the top of the Eiffel Tower and gradually moved toward greater independence, introducing Discovering the Independent Self as a theme. Dan’s “[f]irst day in Europe” thus became the first step in his journey toward self-confidence and maturity (89). The day appropriately concluded with a sunset as Dan looked out over the city and the world, symbolizing all the potential that lay before him.

Although the memoir is based on Dan’s subjective experience, it is rooted in realism and a refusal to exaggerate except for the sake of occasional humor. Not only do the illustrations remain naturalistic (for the most part, though occasional cartooning is used for humor), but the way that Dan approaches the events in his life and the people he grew up with are also through the lens of realism. He uses occasional asides to clarify scenes and shed light on his thinking but relies mainly on his illustrations and dialogue to communicate the emotion and tone of a moment. To demonstrate how his past affects him in the present, Dan includes occasional flashbacks when something he experiences reminds him of something he went through before. One example of this is when he talks to Amy and later recalls the day he gave Shelley his sweater to save her from embarrassment. Dan avoids using stereotypes in his work, depicting other cultures with sensitivity and kindness.

Dan’s encounters with Amy happen more often with each passing day, and a romance is clearly forming between them. Dan allows his past insecurities and negative experiences to dictate the way he approaches the current situation, foregrounding the theme of Overcoming Fear to Live in the Moment. He feels embarrassed when he is told to kiss Amy, considering himself unsuccessful with girls. In reality, Dan’s memories show that he is helpful and kind and that girls identify these traits in him, which is why they turn to him for support. Amy eventually becomes the archetypal “first girlfriend” for Dan, but it takes time and encouragement for him to be willing to take that risk. Amy thus also acts as a teaching tool for Dan, who grows through their relationship.