him. During the course of this story, Donny is sent to a psychologist who suggests that he attend
tutoring sessions. Donny is placed with a tutor named Calvin "Cal" Beatle. Cal had a very strong
influence over young Donny and ultimately uses his power to further damage the relationship
between Donny and his family. Cal undermines the discipline, which the family attempts to
impose on Donny early in the story; therefore, Donny becomes alienated from his parents,
because Cal makes him believe his parents "do not listen" to him (Tyler, 607). Cal follows the
old concept of becoming a child's "pal". He does not appear to hold Donny responsible for any
of his mistakes; instead, he quickly blames the school, other children, and Donny’s parents.
Donny feels trapped and unfortunately turns to drugs and drinking. He seems to find no joy in
"normal" activities and seems to give up on life once his parents put him into public school and
take him out of tutoring. He eventually disappears and is never heard from again.
The term "Teenage Wasteland" has become a familiarly used phrase in modern journalism
and has been used to symbolize the emptiness and pointlessness which is a part of the lives of
many modern adolescents. While the term teenage wasteland can be used to symbolize drug
abuse or street violence by teenagers, the phrase appears to symbolize the emptiness and
pointlessness which is a part of the lives of many teenagers in today's society. The home of the
tutor Cal is a further, graphic, symbol of this emptiness. Although, the teenagers go to Cal’s
house for tutoring in school subjects, they find a place to “hang-out” where no one is enforcing
rules or responsibility on them. The house is, therefore, a "wasteland" for teenagers who are
already lost and confused.
This story reminds me a lot of myself and how difficult it was for me cope with my teenage
years. I, myself, turned to drugs and violence as a way to deal with the emptiness I felt;
however, I believe that it is very important that parents ALWAYS stay active in their children's
lives. The problems with Donny is not uncommon, but it starts way before teenage hood. This
story emphasizes on many problems teens cope with and can also help us better understand and
deal with these issues.
Teenagers live in a pressure cooker of rapid physical, emotional, and cultural change. Some
teenagers grow up too fast, abandoning childhood at an early age and entering into the "real
world". Donny symbolizes a good percentage of teenagers in today's society, struggling to find a
place in the human race.
Works Cited
Kirszner, Laurie G., and Stephen R. Mandell, eds. Literature: Reading, Reacting, Writing. 4th
ed.
Forth Worth; Harcourt Brace, 2001
Tyler, Anne. “Teenage Wasteland.” Kirszner and Mandell 603-611.
