The Trials of Motherhood

Teenage Wasteland is a story about the hardships that accompany being a mother with a troubled child. Daisy, that mother of delinquent Donny, with the help of an outside narrator, shares her trials and tribulations. Daisy, having somewhere along the road lost the son she once knew, attempts to revitalize her relationship with Donny.
Anne Tyler, an author that I favor, spends an incredible amount of time getting into the depths of her characters for such a short narrative. With the presence of such detailed characters, the reader cannot help but become emotionally attached to the story. Tyler starts the narrative by describing the late physical aspects of Donny, “He used to have very blonde hair— almost white— cut shorter than other children’s so that on his crown a little cowlick always stood up to catch the light (36).” Through this description of Donny’s past physical appearance, it is implied that it is not only his physical appearance that has changed, but also his internal structure. Without Daisy knowing, her son has grown into someone that she does not recognize.
There are a number of reasons that Donny became who he is today. Daisy talks about the arrival of her second daughter and how all of her attention was diverted from Donny and to her new daughter, Amanda. Upon reflection, Daisy realizes that she, not consciously, neglected Donny while trying to tend to Amanda’s needs. Tyler expresses this notion when she writes, “She remembered when Amanda was born. Donny had acted lost and bewildered. Daisy had been alert to that, of course, but still, a new baby keeps you so busy (37).” An additional reason that could have possibly led to the “failure” of Donny is his lack of self-confidence. Donny was not receiving assurance and encouragement at home so he turned to an outside source to get the love and comfort that he needed.
With the help of Daisy, Donny finds a tutor to help him lift his failing grades. Donny’s tutor is named Cal. Cal offers Donny what he has been yearning for, love and appreciation. Cal consumes Donny’s life and takes the broken boy under his wings. He creates a relationship with Donny that seems inappropriate at times. Cal brainwashes Donny in many areas and Donny absorbs every cult-like lesson that Cal throws his way. Donny begins to question his parent’s lack of leniency professing that more independence would cause less rebellion on Donny’s part. Donny is a moldable soul and Cal is willing to pick Donny up from the hole he has fallen in to. With self-confidence at a minimum, Donny holds tightly to anything or anyone that alleviates the pressures of his life. Cal acts as this force of relief for Donny.
Anne Tyler immerses the reader in this twisted world and leaves the reader feeling even more convoluted inside when she ends the narrative with little progression. Donny runs away from home and the reader is left with the impression that he will not be returning to repair his warpath anytime soon. (519)