Will

Cars are a recurring motif in the memoir that symbolize the different kinds of values people place on material possessions. When Daddio’s van is vandalized and robbed, Will’s cousin Paul ends up leaving the Smith household. He feels like he failed Daddio, and as such, he never returns home. For Paul, his failure to protect Daddio’s property represents his failure as a family member, and he feels ashamed. Yet Daddio does not hold him responsible, nor does he want Paul to leave. There is a disconnect between Paul’s and Daddio’s values: Whereas for Paul, the van means everything, Daddio cares only about Paul.

When Smith starts earning a lot of money, he buys several fancy cars. He shows them off to his father, hoping he will be impressed, but Daddio considers it frivolous to have so many cars since he can only drive one at a time. Daddio’s reaction once again highlights a disconnect in the meaning of cars between himself and his son. Influenced by the people around him in the music industry, Will believes that possessing expensive cars raises his social status, but Daddio sees the situation more pragmatically. Material possessions like cars are a means to an end, and having more is not necessarily better.

Finally, Smith wins a car in a bet with Bucky, a close friend of his who is equally obsessed with expensive vehicles. Smith gives him the car back, which confuses Bucky; he knows he would not have done the same thing in Smith’s position. In this case, the car represents a disconnect between Bucky’s values and Smith’s. Smith values fairness and friendship over winning or bragging rights. These three experiences with cars help hone Smith’s values and teach him that material possessions like cars are not as important as family or friendship.