Teenage Wasteland Analysis

“Teenage Wasteland,” written by Anne Tyler is a short story that annals the relationship a teenage boy has with his parents. This story itself takes place over approoximently an entire school year. There is first Donny, one of the main characters in this short story. He is a 15 year old rebellious teenage boy who will not listen to his parents, Daisy and Matt. Daisy tries more than ever to get her son back on the right track. Daisy truly tries to help her son. “ From early October through November, at Mr. Lanham’s suffestion, Daisy checked Donny’s assignments every day.” (Tyler 459). Unlike his wife, Matt is never around and focuses his needs mainly on work. Donny has a little sister, Amanda who does not receive as much attention as she should …show more content…
She still continues to struggle with finding a solution to get her son to open up to her. This is a common issue many parents deal with. Teenagers often feel too sheltered by their parents, causing them to act out. It would seem logical to then give teenagers more space, but this isn’t always the right choice. Some teenagers take advantage of the freedom and make the wrong choices. Only one can imagine the pain that Daisy is feeling. In the end, however; Daisy still has hope that her son will finally turn his life around for the …show more content…
The begging of this short story starts out with explaining the innocene of Donny. “He used to have very blond hair-almost white-cut shorter than other childnres; so that on his crown a little cowlick always stood up to catch light.” During this point of Donny’s life, he was innocent. He felt free as if he had nothing to hide. As he began to mature more, however; his innocence began to change. “As he grew older, his hair grew darkens, and he wore it longer- post his collar even.” (459). This is a metaphor of how Donny would hide. He felt too judged by his parents, feeling more comfortable hiding behind his hair. This symbolizes the changes that Donny has made over the years. Although Daisy once felt connected to her son, he has changed just like his hair. Donny feels as if his mother doesn 't realize he is not that little boy anymore. He wants his mother to see the young man he now is. “Your son longs to be independent because the young always do…Adolescene is the time when new hormones, a new ability to think in abstractions and a new need to pull away from their parents make boys and girls so eager to spread their wings.” (Washington