Paula Vogel's How I Learned To Drive

A coming-of-age story brought about by unconventional circumstances, Paula Vogel’s play How I Learned to Drive depicts the story of how Li’l Bit grows up, gaining the tools to deal with the world from her uncle Peck, in the midst of their sexually abusive relationship. The play is told episodically and skips around to moments in Li’l Bit’s life via flashbacks and monologues, expressing the sub theme of how the past affects the present/future. Described by the stage directions as “Well-endowed,” (9) Li’l Bit’s physical qualities cause both solicited and unsolicited attention to Li’l Bit. Her schoolmates such a Jerome who fakes an allergic reaction to squeeze her breasts and other school mates ostracize her for her appearance, making Li’l Bit noticeably …show more content…
Furthermore, Peck serves as a teacher to Li’l Bit. By teaching her how to drive, Peck instills the principles of control and independence into Li’l Bit, instead of following in her mother’s or grandmother’s footsteps. Perhaps the most tragic character in How I Learned to Drive, Vogel inserts details about Peck throughout the play, perhaps explaining his behavior and relationship with Li’l Bit, as well as portraying Peck as a sympathetic character. A war veteran and recovering alcoholic, Peck has been through a multiple ordeals throughout his life. While not directly stated, Li’l bit also implies that potential of Peck being sexually abused or even raped as an adolescent. Vogel presents Peck as a character attempting to overcome the past although it clearly still affects him. An argument can be made that Peck relies on his relationship with Li’l Bit as a coping mechanism. That explains Peck’s relapse and eventual death, which results after Li’l Bit ends her relationship with Peck and cuts off all connections to him. Thus, Peck becomes a tragic figure, unable overcome his traumatic past instead of a pedophile and sexual