How does the author convey his message in the memoir, The First Time For Everything?

The First Time For Everything is a graphic memoir, therefore its meaning is conveyed both through words through and illustrations. These combine in multiple ways to advance the meaning and themes of the memoir. First of all, language is used to illustrate how disorienting being in a foreign country can be, especially when a person does not understand the native language of the land. This is seen from fairly early on in the memoir when Santat gets confused at the airport in France because the airport employee is telling him to get out of the way, but he does not understand what the man is saying, leading Santat to get yelled at and embarrassed.

The graphics in The First Time For Everything provide a sort of language of their own. Because this is largely a novel about interpersonal communication and misunderstandings, the characters’ expressions become key in advancing the ideas of the memoir. Had this been written in traditional prose, the author would have had to explain how the characters felt, and this is something that Santat, the character, would not have been able to do because he does not always understand the feelings of other people. As such, the illustrations help explain key facets of people’s reactions and personality. In addition, they allow Santat to show much of what they saw in Europe because he illustrated the main attractions on their trip once his camera broke.