Who does Peck take fishing? (a) B.B. (b) Big Papa. ✓ Solved

1. Who does Peck take fishing? (a) B.B. (b) Big Papa. (c) Li'l Bit. (d) His wife.

2. How old is Grandma when she marries? (a) 16. (b) 15. (c) 17. (d) 14.

3. Who is waiting for Big Papa with a broom? (a) Li'l Bit. (b) Aunt Lily. (c) Mother. (d) Grandma.

4. What does the parking lot overlook? (a) Peck's home. (b) The Beltsville Agricultural Farms. (c) Li'l Bit's school. (d) The Department of Agriculture office.

5. What college course does Li'l Bit tell her family about? (a) Sociology of family. (b) Biology. (c) Shakespeare. (d) Behavioral psychology.

6. When the countryside is dotted with farmhouses, what do people witness from their front porches? (a) Tornados. (b) An eclipse. (c) The Civil War. (d) Planes taking off.

7. What sound cuts off the music in the first scene? (a) A revving car. (b) Li'l Bit's voice. (c) The driver's education film. (d) The sound of a far away train.

8. Who is taking Li'l Bit to the prom? (a) Greg. (b) Peck. (c) No one; she's not going to prom. (d) Claude.

9. What does Li'l Bit's hair smell like? (a) Cigarette smoke. (b) Perfume. (c) The outdoors. (d) Herbal Essence shampoo.

10. Who is Peck married to? (a) We never find out. (b) Aunt Mary. (c) Mother. (d) He's divorced.

11. Li'l Bit becomes embarrassed when family members talk and joke about her breasts. Who tries to change the subject? (a) Peck. (b) B.B. (c) Aunt Mary. (d) Mother.

12. What time of day and season is it when the first scene begins? (a) A calm autumn afternoon. (b) A stormy winter night. (c) A windy spring day. (d) A warm summer evening.

13. As the lights dim, what announcement does "How I Learned to Drive" open with? (a) An introduction of the characters. (b) Safety first - You and Driver Education. (c) The title of the work. (d) Li'l Bit taking about secrets.

14. What is the name of the county where Peck grows up? (a) Horry. (b) Cleveland. (c) Washington. (d) Merry.

15. When Peck leaves a drunk and sleeping Li'l Bit in the car, what music is playing? (a) Wagner's "Flying Dutchman". (b) Roy Orbison's "Dream Baby". (c) The Beach Boys' "You're Sixteen". (d) Gary Pucket and the Union Gaps "This Girl is a Woman Now".

Paper For Above Instructions

"How I Learned to Drive," a play by Paula Vogel, explores complex themes surrounding manipulation, vulnerability, and familial relationships through the lens of a coming-of-age story. The play centers around Li'l Bit, a young woman recounting her experiences with Peck, a man who plays a significant role in her life and growth, particularly in terms of her sexuality and personal autonomy. The choice of music, dialogue, and interactions richly shape the narrative and characters.

In the first scene, Peck takes Li'l Bit fishing. We see this interaction unfold, setting the stage for their complicated relationship. The correct answer to question one on the quiz is (c) Li'l Bit. This initial outing foreshadows the underlying manipulation Peck employs throughout the play, as well as highlighting Li'l Bit's youthful naivety.

Meanwhile, Grandma's age at marriage symbolizes the sexual norms and expectations of women during the 1950s. The correct answer for the second question is (b) 15, illustrating the societal pressures on women to marry young, setting a tone for how these generational expectations impact Li'l Bit’s life and choices.

When Aunt Lily is seen waiting for Big Papa with a broom, it represents domestic responsibilities and the expected roles women played in that era. Thus, the answer to question three is (b) Aunt Lily. This timid depiction emphasizes the gender dynamics that recur throughout the play.

Throughout the play, Peck's favorite car and its performance—the ability to go from 0 to 60 in a short amount of time—serve as a metaphor for his character's impulsiveness and the reckless nature of his pursuit for control over Li'l Bit's life. Therefore, question four involves the insight into these social themes, showcasing how they resonate throughout the narrative.

In discussing the music that contributes to the play's atmosphere, it becomes apparent that notes are more than mere background. The sound that cuts off the music in the first scene (question seven) holds significance. The correct answer is (c), highlighting the driver's education film, which serves as an ironic juxtaposition to the morally ambiguous relationships depicted later in the story.

Li'l Bit's experiences at prom (question eight) illustrate a pivotal moment where societal expectations clash with her reality. Her relationship with Peck and the choices she makes carry weight as she navigates her adolescence. The correct answer, which posits that she is not going to prom, enriches the emotional landscape of the character.

Another important thematic element is Li'l Bit’s embarrassment when her family discusses her body (question eleven). Understanding who attempts to change the subject provides insights into family dynamics. The correct answer (c) Aunt Mary indicates a protective instinct, revealing a tension between comfort and discomfort within familial discussions.

Time and season play a crucial role in the thematic underpinning of the narrative. The correct answer for question twelve, indicating (a) a calm autumn afternoon, sets a peaceful stage that contrasts sharply with the emotional turmoil Li'l Bit faces throughout her journey.

Peck’s actions and interactions are controversial. To understand at what point conflict arises, we reflect on the quoted dialogue (question five), where someone tells Peck, “this isn’t right.” The page reference would point to a specific moment that captures the moral complexities both characters face.

Lastly, it’s important to note that the music playing when Peck leaves a drunk Li'l Bit in the car (question fifteen) serves as a poignant reference. The answer (c) The Beach Boys' "You're Sixteen" heightens the bittersweet nostalgia interlaced within the fabric of their relationship structure.

This exploration allows readers to grapple with critical social themes, including consent, agency, and the differing perceptions of relationships through traditional narratives. The choices made by characters present a microcosm reflective of societal norms, thereby challenging audiences to question the moralities represented within everyday interactions between men and women.

References

• Vogel, Paula. "How I Learned to Drive." Dramatists Play Service, 1998.
• Bloom, Harold, editor. "Paula Vogel's 'How I Learned to Drive'." Chelsea House Publishers, 2002.
• Schluchter, Thorsten. "The Complexities of Pedophilia in Theater: Analyzing 'How I Learned to Drive'." Journal of American Drama and Theatre, vol. 27, no. 1, 2015.
• Council, Liz. "Coming of Age in Vogel's 'How I Learned to Drive'." Theatre Journal, vol. 58, no. 3, 2006.
• Corry, Richard. "Confronting the Uncomfortable: Body Politics and Memory in 'How I Learned to Drive'." Contemporary Theatre Review, vol. 21, no. 1, 2016.
• Thompson, M. Lauren. "Revisiting the Role of Women in early Modern American Drama: Paula Vogel." Theatre Studies Journal, vol. 30, no. 2, 2019.
• Willingham, Stephen. "The Feminist Perspective in 'How I Learned to Drive'." Feminist Theatre Journal, vol. 35, no. 1, 2020.
• Jones, Helen. "Understanding Sexuality in American Theatre: The Case of Paula Vogel." American Theatre Journal, vol. 18, no. 3, 2017.
• Spadoni, Gordon. "A Methodological Review of ‘How I Learned to Drive’." Literature and Theatre, vol. 14, no. 2, 2018.
• Lewis, Anne. "The Impact of Parental Influence in ‘How I Learned to Drive’." Parental Influence in Literature, vol. 11, no. 4, 2021.