How I Learned to Drive is a drama that premiered in the year 1997 and was written by an American playwright Paula Vogel. The play was developed in Juneau, Alaska, at the Perseverance Theatre. The play trails an anxious sexual relationship between two characters, Li’l Bit, and Uncle Peck, her aunt’s husband. While growing in Maryland, Li’l Bit gets driving lessons from Uncle Peck, a recovering alcoholic who molests her in the process. Even though her mother suspected something fishy must have been going on, she did nothing to protect her niece from the abuse. Li’l Bit always felt that Uncle Peck was the only family member who cared and supported her dreams despite the assault and that is why she kept quiet about the whole situation. Nonetheless, at the age of 18, she was able to confront him after he attempted to convince her to have sex with her and she was able to dissolve the relationship between them.
The play takes place in Maryland, and the protagonist Li’l Bit addresses the audience directly on a stage. The characters in the play address the audience from the stage, but the act jumps from one time frame to another in a neutral stage. Paula uses three characters to epitomize the other characters affecting their lives at different stages. In the play, the writer treats social issues in a different way whereby they are centered on a dysfunctional family with complicated problems and feelings.
There is a dangerous situation in the play, but unfortunately, the writer applies several comical elements that make the situation look like a regular thing for the characters, a young girl, and a grown up man. Paula uses some popular music in the play to emphasize the mood of the play for the audience. The play deals with the issues of sexual abuse, alcoholism, incest, and victimization. The playwright blends sadness and comedy while examining a dysfunctional family with a sexual predator. There is the presence of abuse, and yet, it is condoned by the family since no one is seen reproving it. Paula’s play is consistent with realism because it is a realistic story of a young girl who grew from childhood to maturity (Nouryeh 49). Even though she ended up as a free driver, it is apparent that she was hurt or rather abused, as the overlooked the situation.
In essence, How I Learned to Drive is an account of a girl that grew up while being molested by a family member. Paula includes humor and fun as well as darker times as Li’l Bits goes through emotional transition and decisions. In the end, she confronts her situation and forgives her uncle because he had transformed her into who she was, a driver, despite the abuse.
Works Cited
How I Learned to Drive. By Paula Vogel. Vineyard Theatre, New York City. 16 March 1997. Drama.
Nouryeh, Andrea J. "Flashing back: Dramatizing the trauma of incest and child sexual abuse." Theatre Symposium. Vol. 7. Southeastern Theatre Conference and the University of Alabama Press, 7:1999, 49. Print.
