How I learned to Drive

How I Learned to Drive illustrates a unique ability to demonstrate the effects of something profoundly personal, such as sexual abuse, in an overwhelmingly impersonal way, Li’l bit’s monotonic narration.  This uncanny tone, adopted by Paula Vogel is extremely powerful as it demonstrates the main character’s desensitization to traumatic abuse in a very real way.  This Perks of Being a Wallflower-esc depiction of sexual abuse is profoundly real, and no doubt makes the audience uncomfortable at several moments during the play.  Admittedly, I was sufficiently wierded-out when Li’l bit gave her uncle a “small reward” for not drinking and lets him undo her bra, however as the play continued I began to understand how this poor girl had been entangled in such a terrible situation.  I was disappointed in the ending, as I wanted the main character to be successful, overcome obstacles, and prevail, however by choosing to have Li’l bit kicked out of college and become an alcoholic, Vogel projects a much more real, or perhaps accurate view.  A take on classical Greek tragedy, How I Learned to Drive, illustrates that unfortunately happy endings aren’t always the case.