David Sedaris describes several challenges which he faces during his life, starting from the first story, “Go Carolina,” about his childhood. Classism theme influences him from the very beginning at school due to external judgments and separation of himself from the majority of the surrounding community. A sense of belonging and desire to match the rest of society experienced by the author in childhood creates a significant impact through the storytelling. Further, in the stories about adultness, Sedaris defines his feelings regarding the gap between him and other people who have a higher social status or financial position in the society. The author faces a confrontation of his personal beliefs and social values which antagonize him and, at the same time, attract him. It happens due to the willingness to find his own individual personality, which is mostly mentioned during the student years, and internal instinct to be accepted according to social norms as his parents taught him to.
During the whole narration, the author constantly mentions his relationships with family members, their emotional support, love, and attachment to them. Sometimes, these relationships can be exhausting, annoying, or difficult in terms of emotional state. However, Sedaris underlines the unconditional love that an individual experiences to close people, whether they are family members or friends. He describes relationships in the family between parents and children through some of the stories based on the day-to-day cases that happen to his family. Controversy and dispute take place between two generations due to different mindsets and values. Through all stories, Sedaris describes the positive influence of these people on his personality, despite any conflicts or misunderstandings between them.