![]() If anything Donny may have went from being an extrovert (smoking and drinking) to an introvert. He remained quiet in his new school and didn’t mix with anybody. As to why Donny might try to run away is difficult to say but he may have felt beaten by the system that was imposed onto him. This is not the case when Donny is deemed by Cal to be emotionally unstable. Where previously Cal had an explanation for everything. Leaving the reader to suspect that Cal is attempting to clear his conscience when it comes to the matter of Donny’s education. This is something that Cal did not mention previously and only mentions it when he tells Daisy he can make no headway with Donny. However Donny has been let down by Cal who at one stage in the story considers Donny to be emotionally unstable. It is as though Daisy lacks confidence though at the same time wants the best for Donny. This may partially explain why she at times blames herself when it comes to Donny’s attitude. ![]() It is also interesting how trusting Daisy is of those in authority. Though any academic work appears to be outside Cal’s control. If anything Donny may like Cal’s place because he is allowed to do what he wants. Donny’s grades do after all begin to slip as soon as he starts seeing Cal. So Daisy is unsure of whether to question Cal whose methods may be considered by some critics to be a little dubious. Cal after all has been referred to Daisy by a psychologist, a person of trust. It is as though Cal is becoming a major influence in Donny’s life yet at the same time Daisy may feel pressurized to trust Cal over trusting her own motherly instincts. Though persuaded by Cal, Daisy forgoes asking Donny as many questions as she would have normally asked. However it may not be a matter of trust and more likely both of Donny’s parents have genuine concerns about his well-being. Particularly his parents who Donny feels as though they do not trust him. The issue of control is an important one as Donny feels as though the adults in his life. Leaving the reader to suspect that Donny is on a downward spiral. However the school principal sees things as being a little more serious. There is no mention to anybody that Donny might be experiencing difficulties in his personal life and there is some hope from Daisy that Donny is just going through a period, a natural period, of rebellion and it will end soon. Yet there is no reason as to why this should be the case. He does not take his education seriously. Something that Donny appears to be doing. As far as the reader can ascertain Donny (and his sister) have grown up in a normal household and Donny appears to be at the age in whereby a person rebels against everything they know. Though this might be natural for a mother to be blaming themselves. Daisy in many ways blames herself for the bad attitude that Donny has and the bad grades that he is getting. Narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator the reader realises after reading the story that Tyler may be exploring the theme of blame. In Teenage Wasteland by Anne Tyler we have the theme of blame, authority, fear, rebellion, trust and control.
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