Discussion: How I Learned to Drive

How I Learned To Drive is an intriguing, yet appropriate title for Paula Vogel’s script. It immediately suggests an innocence that is relatively absent throughout the rest of the production; and yet frequent allusions to driving instruction (i.e. “Idling in Neutral Gear”, “Driving in Today’s World”), precede specific scenes as clever hints of things to come. This title does not in any way portray the very sexual undertones of the script, nor does it easily relay the incredible span of time illustrated in the play. However, Vogel makes excellent use of her character names. Interestingly, a description of the origins of these names is actually embedded within one of Li’l Bit’s monologues. And, interestingly, these origins are of a sexual nature. While Li’l Bit’s name may be taken in a number of innocent ways, Uncle Peck is introduced as an immediately less-trustworthy character. A reference to Ancient Greek theatre, Vogel introduces choruses, who substitute for the ba...