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Teenage Wasteland

Anne Tyler


The Who

“Baba O’Riley”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WO4wcNVbYOQ


Song Excerpt

Out here in the fieldsI fight for my mealsI get my back into my livingI don't need to fightTo prove I'm rightI don't need to be forgiven


Song Excerpt

Sally ,take my handTravel south crosslandPut out the fireDon't look past my shoulderThe exodus is hereThe happy ones are nearLet's get togetherBefore we get much older


Song Excerpt

Don't cryDon't raise your eyeIt's only teenage wasteland


Anne Tyler

Examines the complexities of family life as characters struggle to make sense of relationships and choices in a bewildering world.

“If I waited till I felt like writing, I'd never write at all.”


Consider:

What was the tone of the story?

Was it a happy story? Explain


The Characters


The Teenager (Donny)

• How old was he?• How did he feel about his parents?

School? Life?• What were his problems?• Were they serious? Explain• What happened to him?


The Teenager (Donny)

Needed “Academic Help”

and “Self-Worth”


“Academic Help”

How do American teenagers often view education?

Pink Floyd“Another Brick in the Wall”



Song Excerpt

We don't need no education We don't need no thought controlNo dark sarcasm in the classroomTeachers leave them kids aloneHey! Teachers! Leave them kids aloneAll in all it's just another brick in the wallAll in all you're just another brick in the wall


Similar Idioms

Another brick in the wall• Another link in the chain• Just a cog in a machine• Too many Indians, not enough chiefs• Just a peon…


“Self-Worth”

How do American teenagers often feel?

Avril Lavgine“Nobody’s Home”



Song Excerpt

I couldn't tell you why she felt that way,She felt it everyday.And I couldn't help her,I just watched her make the same mistakes again.


What's wrong, what's wrong now?Too many, too many problems.Don't know where she belongs, where she belongs.


She wants to go home, but nobody's home.That's where she lies, broken inside.With no place to go, no place to go to dry her eyes.Broken inside.


The Mother (Daisy)

• How did you feel about Daisy?• Was she a good mother? Explain.• Did she love her son? Explain.• What did she do to try and help him?• What else could she have done?


The Mother (Daisy)

• Shame (ln 15-17)• Exhausted, Overwhelmed (ln 36)• Guilty (ln 69-73)• “Inadequate”


“Inadequate”

How does the American family often feel?

Anna Nalick“Breathe”



Song Excerpt

2 AM and she calls me 'cause I'm still awake, Can you help me unravel my latest mistake, I don't love him, winter just wasn't my seasonYeah we walk through the doors, so accusing their eyesLike they have any right at all to criticize, Hypocrites, you're all here for the very same reason


Cause you can't jump the track, we're like cars on a cable, And life's like an hourglass, glued to the table.No one can find the rewind button girl,

So cradle your head in your hands, And breathe, just breathe, Whoa breathe, just breathe


The Tutor (Cal)

• Was he a good teacher? Explain• Did his students like him?• Was he expensive?• Would you want a teacher like that?


The Father (Matt)

• How did you feel about the father?• Was he a good father?• What did he do for his son?• What didn’t he do?• What could he have done?


Other Minor Characters

• Principal• Miss Evans• Amanda• Miriam


Understanding the plot

• Why does the principle call Daisy in? (ln 10 & ln 40)

• What does the psychologist think about Danny? (ln 60)

• What does Daisy first think of Cal? (ln 95)

• What does Donny compare his school to?


Understanding Plot

• How does Miriam's information change Daisy’s opinion of Cal? (ln 205)

• How do Cal’s and Daisy’s views about Donny’s expulsion differ? (ln 324, ln 305)


Your Opinion

• What do you think about Donny’s parents?

• Where was his father in all this?• What do you think about Cal?• Do you understand Donny’s feelings?


POV

• Daisy’s point of view• How does this limit the story?• How does it develop the story?• How might the story be different from:

–Dad’s POV–Donny’s POV–Cal’s POV


Inferences

What is inference?

Deduction of hidden meanings in situation

Logical guess based on information provided in situation


For More Information

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