Teenage Wasteland

"Teenage Wasteland" is a story that depicts the lives of many young lost teens not only in her day, but also mine. Alice Tyler attempts to show the lost path of a trouble teenager. I truly believe she is successful in attempting this goal. The way in which she wrote the story kept me on the edge of my seat. I was waiting for the ending to come and to finally see Donny change his life and go on to life in a very happy way. But, it was quite different; it was like a roller coaster, up and down, up and down. Right when Donny was getting better and we think Calvin did a good job, the notorious phone call from the history teacher comes. All the joyful emotions I felt in the middle of the story was horribly flushed down the toilet. Everyone likes the hero to win and be happy. Not in this story. I felt that the author left the reader in the open ocean with only a raft for hope. The ending of the story really bothered me. The anticipation for more got to me. What happened to Donny? Did he die? Did he go to New York to live a better life without the overbearing parents? Maybe that is the effect Alice Tyler wanted for the reader. Just a little more juice would have made the story a little better for everyone.

During class we were asked to discuss the success of Calvin. In this point, I stood alone. Not to say that Calvin did the best job, but I believe he really helped Donny. Yes, school is important but the story took place in the life of a teenager, the beginning of a long road for any teenager. Calvin was the outlet for all of Donny's problems at home and at school. Calvin was changing the perspective of Donny's outlook on life. Donny even got a girlfriend and made some friends. What do we all strive for in life? Happiness. We all want to be happy and enjoy the things that we do. Donny enjoyed Calvin and enjoyed his life for that little bit. Although Donny's grades were slipping in school, he is only a freshman. I believe that a little more happiness Donny had, he would have came around a little later. There was so much potential in Donny and any teenager in this world to be what he wanted to be. Who knows, if Donny found joy in life and could have found a passion in something, anything. He probably would have not turned out to be the richest person in the world but, in his eyes he would be successful in what he does. Just a little more time with Calvin before pulling the plug would have been very beneficial for Donny.

Many teenagers who do not get the attention of mom and dad turn out like Donny. Matt was never around and never helped in raising Donny. That paternal place in the home was never there for Donny. As stereotypical as it may sound, the father figure in the home plays a big part in the life of a child, especially a boy. I personally can not imagine how I would have turned out if my dad was never around or never cared. He taught me all that I know and all my standards that I live my life by day to day. Unfortunately, Donny probably never got a great amount of attention from Matt. So, Calvin became the masculine dad/big brother. I think one of the reasons Donny listened and respected Calvin more is due to the attention and care he gave to Donny.

The transition from child to adult is a very difficult time for all teens. We all want more independence from mom and dad. We all want to grow up and shed the skin of childhood. Donny was trying to do this by drinking and smoking. It made him feel like an adult. The parents should have given him more freedom and explained the consequences of drinking and smoking rather than forcing it upon him. Everyone once in their life is going to drink smoke, party and do things that are not so responsible. Teaching teens about the possibilities and consequences is crucial to overcoming the teen phase of "I want independence!" Donny just needed a little more time and freedom to fully grow up and learn the hard way, experience.