Characters in Sonnys Blues, The Things They Carried and Teenage Wasteland - Essay Example

The aspect of being in jail for a young person like Sonny is a hindrance to better growth. Actually, in that year nobody visited him in jail until when his daughter died. Furthermore, it is even apparent that Sonny resulted drugs out of alienation. These are some of the dire consequences of alienation, as one finds nobody to share their worries with and hence resulting in other unethical treads. It is a bitter story of how alienation led Sonny to drug addiction. Moreover, we understand from the story that upon the death of Sonny’s mother, his brother sought Sonny’s upkeep from his fiancée Isabel's family while he is at war.

Nevertheless, this aggravated Sonny’s alienation as Sonny and Isabel's middle-class family clashed out of a lack of understanding. The feeling of not belonging to a certain family for a child is detrimental and parents and relatives should take time to understand the children to evade acts of desperation that result from alienation. The Isabel family could not understand his passion for music and engagement with musicians of all races. Because of the feeling of alienation, Sonny runs away from Isabel's family to join the Navy.

Significantly, the author establishes the fact that the drugs, segregation, violence, and discrimination alienate Sonny from realizing their full potential. Indeed the author quotes, "They were growing up with a rush and their heads bumped abruptly against the low ceiling of their actual possibilities. They were filled with rage. All they knew were two darkness, the darkness of their lives, which was now closing in on them, and the darkness of the movies, which had blinded them to that other darkness, and in which they now, vindictively, dreamed, at once more together than they were at any other time, and more .” (Baldwin 72-73).

As such, a lack of understanding can propagate alienation among children who are growing up. The adverse effects of alienation are equally unquestionable.
In the story, "The Things They carried," the aspect of alienation in growing up comes up. Tim O'Brien, the narrator tells of the alienation that he and other young soldiers go through in and out of war. The author notes that the young soldiers go to war unprepared, with fear and confusion that they cannot tell anyone hence the alienation. The narrator tells of terrible memories on the war front where soldiers died, others got injuries yet nobody would care to listen to such stories. Indeed, out of this alienation, the narrator sought to flee to Canada to avoid going to war. However, a lodge owner seeks to dilute his feeling of alienation and convinces the narrator to return to his obligations.

As such, it is clear that we can curb alienation upon getting reasonable advice. In addition, the narrator states that soldiers face alienation through injustices and unethical practices that muted them in the war zone. This reflects where nobody understands his or her knowledge, tribulation, and difficult memories. Indeed, the author quotes, “They become hardened and angry because no one back home understands what they are going through (O’Brien 155).” Hence, the soldiers live a lonely life far from social interactions. Because of this alienation, soldiers manifest unfavorable traits after the war. Indeed, the author records that out of this alienation, a soldier killed himself after the war. As such, the lack of somebody to share information, with and the lack of concern or understanding from those around us promotes the feeling of alienation.

In the story, "Teenage Wasteland" the narrator tells of a dwindling relationship between a young man and his mother. Daisy misunderstood her son Donny as she sought to solve his consistent delinquent behavior. This alienates Donny from his mother despite Daisy’s effort to reconcile with the son. This leads to Donny’s difficulties in social and academic forums. As a result, the school recommends professional support for Donny, which helps a lot in reducing the feeling of alienation. The alienation in this story emanates from the fact that Donny was not responsible for his actions yet he wants his parents to trust him. Indeed, the author records that, “When his mother questioned him about the beer found in his locker, which led to his expulsion, Donny’s response was “It wasn’t my fault. I promise” (Mundinger-Klow 76).

The author equally records that both Donny and Daisy seek to satisfy their self-interests instead of adopting mature and responsible ways of solving their differences. Indeed, it is very clear that handling adolescents is a big challenge for parents since it requires a lot of communication and understanding. Ideally, teens are prone to pressure from their peers, parents, and teachers’ pressure which leads the teens to advocate for their self-interests without considering their parent's opinions. Otherwise, alienation results and its effects are dire for both the parents and the adolescents. Assuredly, communication, understanding, and taking responsibility can dilute the feeling of alienation among people growing up. In all the characters, it is clear that lack of understanding is the major cause of alienation as people grow up. In addition, all characters manifest the possibility of curbing alienation and its dire effects on the teens.  Read More