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7. 1967
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Shoe Dog, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Entrepreneurship, Experience, and Perseverance
Leadership
Global Economies
Balancing Family and Work
Summary
Analysis
Although things are going relatively well, Knight’s social life is nonexistent. He works six days a week for Price Waterhouse and spends the rest of his time on Blue Ribbon. He desperately wants to quit Price Waterhouse and only work on Blue Ribbon. However, he has not made enough money to justify that decision. Instead, Knight tries something else. He quits Price Waterhouse and takes a job teaching at Portland State. He knows teaching will pay relatively well and give him more time with Blue Ribbon.
Despite Blue Ribbon’s success, Knight still cannot afford to pay himself a livable salary, which speaks to the company’s cash flow problem. However, teaching is a good short-term solution because it will give him more free time, especially between semesters. Notably, although Knight works a lot of jobs while building Blue Ribbon, he never stays at any of them for long.
Themes
Knight gets assigned to teach four accounting classes in the fall semester. He is excited about the new job, but teaching is less fun than he hoped. His students are not particularly engaged, and he recognizes that the material is rather dry. However, there is one bright spot: Penny Parks, Knight’s student whom he immediately takes a liking to. Although Penny never speaks in class, Knight notices she aces all her exams.
Since Sarah, Knight has not had any sort of romance to speak of. However, with the introduction of Penny Parks, he feels a flicker of romance for the first time in years. However, Penny’s shyness is an impediment because Knight never gets a chance to speak with her.
Themes
One day after class, Penny asks Knight if he will be her advisor. Knight quickly accepts the position and then asks Penny if she wants a job. He tells her about Blue Ribbon and explains that he could use some help balancing the books. Penny accepts the position at the rate of two dollars per hour. A few days later, Penny starts work. She meets Knight at the new office, which Knight and Woodell use as their headquarters.
As it turns out, Penny likes Knight at well, though it is unclear whether her interest has a romantic element. When Knight talks to Penny about Blue Ribbon, he downplays Blue Ribbon’s financial issues. In reality, he knows his books are a mess and he desperately needs something to fix them.
Themes
Immediately, Penny surpasses all Knight’s expectations. She runs through all the tasks Knight gives her at a quick pace. Knight cannot believe he went so long without having someone as valuable as Penny in his corner. In addition to her skills, Penny’s presence lights up the dingy office, and everyone who meets her takes a liking to her. One day, Knight notices that Penny has not been cashing any of the checks he’s given her.
Penny’s refusal to cash her checks suggests she took the job because she likes Knight and could care less about the money. Perhaps she also cares about Blue Ribbon’s success, and she knows the company cannot afford to pay her even the small amount Knight offered.
Themes
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One day after work, Knight asks Penny out on a date, and she accepts the offer. A few days later, they go to the Oregon Zoo, which gives them time to get to know each other. During the date, Knight opens up to Penny about his time abroad and Blue Ribbon’s struggles. Knight feels closer than ever to Penny after the date and asks her to go out again. For their second date, they go to a Chinese restaurant, and Knight learns more about Penny’s family and background.
Finally, Knight dedicates some time to working on his personal life. Although Knight has matured a lot since starting Blue Ribbon, this is the first time he takes a moment to round himself out in other areas. Given that they go on multiple dates, Knight and Penny’s relationship looks promising, though there is still a lot they need to learn about each other.
Themes
After dating for some time, Knight brings Penny to his parents’ house so she can meet the family. Unfortunately, their first meeting is awkward, and although everyone is kind, they do not develop any chemistry. Next, Penny brings Knight to meet her family. Similarly, Knight has a hard time connecting with Penny’s family. However, after a few meetings, Penny’s mother, Dot, starts to warm up to Knight.
Knight and Penny’s liking for each other does not translate to their families. However, as with everything else in his life, Knight perseveres and eventually starts to make some headway. His dedication to ensuring Penny’s family likes him shows how much he cares about her.
Themes
Once Knight gains Dot’s approval, he asks her if he can take Penny to Sacramento for a weekend trip to watch the national track and field championships. However, Dot rejects the offer. The following day, Knight asks Dot the same question again and assures her that his relationship with Penny is serious. This time, Dot gives in and tells Knight he has her blessing.
Again, Knight’s perseverance is on display, even when it comes to his personal life. Evidently, his efforts pay off, as Dot allows him to take Penny away for the weekend. However, it is telling that Knight's weekend off still includes running in some fashion.
Themes
Penny and Knight fly to Sacramento for the weekend trip. After enjoying a day at the races, Knight asks Penny to marry him, and she accepts. They call Dot to let her know. Though Dot is upset at first, she quickly comes around to the idea. Then, the couple call Knight’s parents to tell them the good news.
Penny and Knight's relationship moves quite fast, though not exceptionally so in relation to the social standards of the 1960s. Dot's initial irritation likely originates from Knight not telling her about his true motivation for the trip.
Themes
Immediately after the engagement, Knight has to fly to Onitsuka for a meeting. When he arrives, he discovers Kitami is still with the company, making things easier. Kitami welcomes Knight warmly and assures him that he wants to keep him as a partner. Together, they strategize the best ways to capture the American market.
This is the first time Knight travels to Japan and still has the same contact. Additionally, for once, Knight does not have to fight for Blue Ribbon’s place. Kitami is satisfied with Blue Ribbon’s progress, which is a major milestone for Knight and his fledgling company.
Themes
When the meeting ends, Kitami invites Knight to the company’s annual picnic. Knight happily accepts the invitation. At the picnic, Knight meets a Japanese man named Fujimoto. A typhoon recently destroyed Fujimoto’s home, and he shares his story with Knight. Luckily, Fujimoto managed to start over from scratch and replace everything except his bike. Bikes were expensive in Japan at the time, and he could not afford a new one. When Knight returns to the United States, he sends Fujimoto $50 with a note that says, “For a new bicycle, my friend.”
This is the first time Knight gets to experience Onitsuka employees in a casual setting. He quickly takes a liking to them, especially Fujimoto, and his willingness to send Fujimoto money for a bike when he does not have much money for himself is an admirable act of selflessness. Later, Fujimoto will repay Knight’s kindness with a similarly selfless act.
Themes
On September 13, 1968, Knight and Penny get married. After the wedding ceremony, Knight and Penny go the Penny’s parents’ beach house for a weekend honeymoon.
Knight's marriage is a major step in his coming of age; indeed, at this point, he has matured. He has a successful marriage and a business that is continuing its steady rise.
Themes
