One Day

One Day can be read as a coming-of-age tale for its two protagonists, focusing on their journeys from youth to maturity. Throughout the novel, both Emma and Dexter undergo a process of Personal Growth and Self-Discovery, transitioning from innocence to experience, a theme intricately intertwined with the motif of aging. At the beginning of the novel, Emma embodies innocence and idealism, harboring aspirations to change the world while simultaneously feeling ill-equipped for the challenges that adulthood brings—she admits that she “[doesn’t] feel like an adult” and is “in no way prepared” (17). In the years that follow, she embarks on a journey of self-realization. Confronted with the challenges of post-college life, she grapples with a sense of disorientation, feeling lost and without a sense of purpose. However, over time, she discerns her true aspirations and takes steps towards achieving them. Her decisions to end her relationship with Ian and to quit her teaching job are pivotal milestones that ultimately allow her to realize her dream of becoming a successful novelist and, at long last, enter a romantic relationship with Dexter. In Chapter 18, Emma reflects on how much she has changed over the years, finding a sense of contentment and stability in her life. In contrast to the highs and lows of youth, she now lives life “against a general backdrop hum of comfort” (284), symbolizing her evolution from innocence to maturity.

Dexter also undergoes a profound transformation throughout the novel—he grows and matures, and his journey is marked by many ups and downs. Initially, fresh out of college, Dexter exudes unwavering confidence, driven by aspirations of wealth and fame. Though he finds satisfaction in his television career, behind his facade of success lies an inner turmoil. To cope with his emotions, Dexter resorts to destructive behaviors, including alcohol and drugs. In Chapter 6, he feels a “terror of the day ahead […] crawling up his spinal column” (90), illustrating the depth of his emotional struggle. He experiences significant setbacks, losing his job and straining his relationships with family and with Emma. Disillusioned with the world, his hopes are repeatedly shattered. His vision of a perfect family life with Sylvie crumbles, ultimately leading to their divorce. With Emma, Dexter finds professional success and conquers his drinking habit, but her tragic death sends him spiraling back into old patterns. Yet, at the end of the novel, Dexter emerges from his grief as a changed man, marked by maturity and resilience. The scene of him on Arthur’s Seat with his daughter symbolizes his transformation, as Dexter reflects on his past while embracing the future with wisdom and strength.

One Day deviates from the typical conventions of contemporary romance, presenting a realistic depiction of life where timing and chance have considerable influence over life. In Chapter 19, Emma says that she and Dexter are “ships that pass in the night” (288), encapsulating this theme and their relationship. Indeed, there are several instances throughout the novel where timing and chance have an impact on their relationship, often keeping them apart. For instance, the letter Dexter writes to Emma in Chapter 3, which has the potential to alter their lives if Emma were to accept Dexter’s proposal, is lost. Similarly, Dexter’s phone call in Chapter 6 goes straight to voicemail as Emma is on her way to her second date with Ian. The lost letter and missed call represent missed opportunities, crucial junctures where Emma and Dexter’s paths might have converged had things gone differently.

Throughout the novel, the idea that there might be right or wrong timing for a relationship is also explored—on July 15, 1988, Dexter laments that it’s a shame the timing isn’t right for them to start dating, and, when they meet in Paris, Emma initially tells Dexter that she believes "it’s too late” and, that their “time has passed” (257). However, these instances reflect the characters’ internal struggles more than a definitive truth about timing. Emma and Dexter often find themselves constrained by their fears and hesitations, and it's likely that if they had been more assertive about wanting to be together, their relationship could have flourished despite any perceived timing issues.

The notion that timing and chance influence life isn't limited to Emma and Dexter's relationship; it extends to other characters and circumstances as well. When Dexter's mother dies of cancer at 49, Dexter reflects on how “the timing is out” (102), and Emma ponders what might have happened had she applied to more publishing jobs when she was younger—could she have found success in the industry? Moreover, Emma’s death exemplifies how timing and chance can drastically alter the course of one’s life, at times leading to unexpected and tragic outcomes. The recurring date in the novel, St. Swithin’s Day, symbolizes this theme—according to folklore, the weather on July 15 dictates the conditions for the following 40 days. Similarly, the events that unfold in Emma and Dexter’s lives, often beyond their control, can profoundly influence their future paths.