Greg Heffley’s Journal

Greg Heffley’s journal is the basis for this novel. It is an important symbol in that it represents all of Greg’s important experiences during his first year of middle school. It allows Greg to have a space for self-reflection and a place to process what happens to him. This helps him move towards maturity as he comes of age.

The Cheese

This piece of cheese that was dropped on the school’s basketball court becomes a symbol of torture and stress as the students used it as the basis of a derogatory game they called “Cheese Touch.” Having the Cheese Touch could potentially lead to unpopularity and social alienation, both of which Greg feared as someone who was very image-conscious. Also, the cheese is introduced early on in order to set the stage for the major scene at the end of...