Camera

Santat’s camera symbolizes the ways in which the trip to Europe is different from his trips with his family. With his parents, Santat is always the one in the pictures, but he is alone in the photos because he does not have any siblings. He explains how he and his parents do not do much on these trips except take pictures. It is as if they are more concerned with collecting memories than they are with experiencing what it is they are there to experience. Mrs. Santat makes sure that Santat has his camera on his trip. When he starts taking pictures in France, he is the one taking them, the one preserving the memories, and he is not always alone in the pictures. His camera breaks, however, and at first he is upset. He, like his parents, thinks that photos are the only way...