Family and home
Many of the stories are quaint, but complicated. There are stories about the father's desire to purchase a second home ("The Ship Shape"). There's an essay about David apartment hunting, reflecting on the feeling one gets at home ("Possession") and there is a depiction of Sedaris's father working as a landlord of an apartment ("Slumus Lordicus"). These essays help to underscore ways that David did not feel at home living with his father. Then there are various essays about each of his siblings, including an essay about how he deals with them when they become angry about his essays and stories ("Repeat After Me").
Homosexuality
In "Hejira" David's dad learns that David is gay, and being infuriated by this, kicks David out of the house. Then in "Chicken in the Henhouse," David directly responds to the critics of homosexuality, reflecting on the historical disenfranchisement of homosexuals in America.
Tragedy and comedy
Sedaris is often referred to as a humorist, because often his stories are tragic in nature, but he himself is rather charming and funny. Sedaris's talent for comedy and comedy writing are explored in various stories, like A Can of Worms, when Sedaris's imagination takes over, causing his mind to wander.
