Big Nate: In a Class by Himself

The first two chapters set up the exposition of the story. Nate is revealed as a student at P.S. 38 with less than desirable grades and study habits. However, he is confident that he is destined for greatness and repeats this belief throughout the story, though he is still determining how he will attain it. Nate’s dream reveals his behavior as a student and foreshadows the rest of the story. The day recounted in the book is challenging for Nate, and he spends most of it feeling like the teachers are against him. It also sets up Nate’s lack of personal responsibility. Nate is frustrated that Mrs. Godfrey called on him when he did not know the answer but is unbothered by the idea that everyone knew the answer but him. Likewise, Nate runs out of the house rather than admit to Marty that he forgot about a test. Instead of taking responsibility for forgetting about the test, he develops elaborate ways to avoid it. This character flaw will cause more problems for Nate as his day continues.

These chapters begin the development of the theme of Expectations Versus Reality. It starts with Nate describing how he became friends with Francis. Most would expect a sweet story about how they met in kindergarten, but instead, it starts with violence. Nate recalls that Francis was snoring, so Nate hit him with his lunchbox. Thus began a seven-year friendship. This violence toward Francis continues throughout the story. The gap between expectation and reality continues with Marty claiming that breakfast is important but handing Nate unappetizing, lumpy oatmeal that Nate barely touches. Finally, the dog Spitsy also complements the novel’s exploration of expectation versus reality. Nate wants nothing more than to have his own dog, but the closest he can get is his neighbor’s dog. Spitsy is constantly in a cone and a dog sweater. He cannot fetch and is afraid of mail carriers. In short, he is an absolute wreck of a dog, but Nate loves him regardless.

Throughout the story, Nate’s needs are not met by the adults in his life. Like most middle schoolers, Nate has very little control over his world. In his efforts to help Nate, Marty limits Nate’s choices. For example, Nate must wake up at a particular time to go to school; if he does not, his father forces him. Allowing Nate to snooze and deal with the consequences of being late for school might be a better choice for Nate’s growth. Likewise, Nate has no option for breakfast. Instead, he has to choke down what he can of his father’s ill-cooked oatmeal. Marty is overly helpful in his desire to support his children. Allowing Nate some control might be better, even knowing Nate might fail.

If Marty’s failure to appropriately support Nate comes from fear of watching him fail, Mrs. Godfrey’s failures come from a far different place. Mrs. Godfrey, though quick to criticize, offers Nate no advice on how to improve in her class, and she demonstrates little respect for him as a person. She uses shame to intimidate him into following her rules and affords him no dignity in her classroom. In the dream, Mrs. Godfrey calls on Nate, despite every other student having their hand raised, in an attempt to embarrass him. While this is just a dream, it is not far from the real experiences Nate has in her class. In reality, Mrs. Godfrey announces to the entire class that Nate did poorly on the last test and is at risk of summer school. If she were concerned about his performance, it would be more appropriate to address these concerns away from Nate’s peers. Using shame as a motivator has a poor effect on Nate and makes him more likely to misbehave.

Nate is not comfortable enough with either of these adults to confide his fears to them or ask them for help. Both Mrs. Godfrey and Marty tend to be more judgmental than supportive of Nate. Thus, Nate concocts ridiculous and elaborate ways to get out of going to school rather than admit to either of them that he is struggling. Nate’s lack of autonomy leads him to seek an escape from his problems rather than deal with them maturely and responsibly. Though some of Nate’s irresponsible behavior is considered age-appropriate, Nate’s inability to rely on any of the adults around him is a pervading concern throughout the story.