Baba O'Riley

This week, I think we had a really interesting discussion on Teenage Wasteland, a story I enjoyed immensely. When I read it, I noted that Daisy was often times at least partially responsible for Donny's difficulties. I originally thought that this observation was insightful and unique, only to discover that everyone else in the class took for granted the fact that she was often at fault. In fact, although we touched upon Calvin and Donny himself as sources of Donny's numerous problems, we spent a significant portion of the time discussing Daisy. So, I will add one more note about Daisy that I have thought about since the discussion before moving on to Donny himself. I think the trouble with Daisy is she wants to "solve" Donny. Because, as so many people pointed out, she thinks of Donny as a reflection on herself, she is sure that if she works hard enough and searches far enough, she will come up with the right "solution." This goal is laughably quixotic. Donny can not be solved, no human can. Instead of trying to find one permanent catch-all cure (such as severe discipline or Calvin's severe freedom), she should focus on helping her son deal with the individual obstacles he faces. 

One more thing that occurred to me since last week's discussion is Donny taking responsibility for himself. After Calvin goes on a tirade about how the school is to blame for Donny's sad lot in life, Daisy asks, "Doesn't Donny ever get blamed?". Realistically, Donny is just responding to his environment.  With Calvin, he knows he can get away with anything, so he does. When I first encountered Donny, I thought he was going to become the stereotypical powerful teacher. I wanted him to step into that role. After all, the reader is introduced to him as though he is a miracle worker. One can tell that Daisy, with  her all-or-nothing mentality, also senses that Calvin's the one to reform Donny. And yet, instead of helping Donny help himself, Calvin lets Donny go. He practically gives Donny permission to get away with murder, and then rationalizes it for him. Alas, all along their were clues about Calvin's negligence. The first time we meet him, he declares to Donny "we'll see if we can show that school of yours a thing or two." It isn't the school Calvin should stand against, its Donny he should be standing with. (407)