Teenage Wasteland

At the end of the story, Daisy has a vision of an empty basketball court. What is the significance of this vision?

Consider the historical and cultural setting of the story (the early 1970s, somewhere in an American city). How does this setting shape the actions of Daisy, Donny, and other characters?

Describe Daisy’s approach to parenting. How does her approach help or hurt Donny’s ability to navigate his young adulthood?

Speculate on Donny’s fate. What is the significance of his decision to leave his parents and cut off contact with them? Based on his actions in the story, is he likely to navigate life successfully? Use evidence from the story to support your discussion.

Discuss Cal as a character. What are his values? Does his intervention help or hurt Donny in the long run?

Tyler chooses to tell the story through Daisy’s eyes. Reimagine the story from the point of view of Donny or one of the other characters. What impact does this point of view shift have on the message of the story?

Discuss the role of irony that appears in the story.

Identify and discuss the impact of at least one symbol in the story.