American Literature

Through his 1997 How I learned to Drive play, playwright Paula Vogel explores issues such as betrayal, revenge, and manipulation. Such concepts play out via the actions of the plays protagonists, namely, Uncle Peck and Lil Bit. Similarly, Shakespeares Hamlet play dwells on the concepts of revenge, manipulation, and betrayal. The actions of the plays main character - Hamlet, assist in demonstrating these issues. The two plays are however different regarding a number of significant elements. For instance, while the revenge in Hamlet is carried on to fruition, How I learned to Drives revenge is put off. Moreover, the manipulation and betrayal found in Hamlet consists of violent murder. Conversely, in How I learned to Drive, the issue of violence and murder does not play out. In effect, the 2 plays elaborate the issue of someone being betrayed by someone they have always trusted and the betrayed parties attempts at revenge.

For example, Hamlet, the protagonist in the Hamlet play, is disappointed when he learns that Claudius - Hamlets uncle, has betrayed the nephew by murdering Hamlets father.  This deep sense of betrayal makes Hamlet to have serious reservations regarding the authenticity of the message that Claudius killed his (Claudius) own brother.  For example, Hamlet says To be, or not to be, thus indicating his indecision (Shakespeare 93). The concept of betrayal thus plays out.

Similarly, in the How I learned to Drive play, Lil Bit is frustrated by Uncle Pecks action of molesting the niece although the uncle is the only person whom Lil Bit has close ties with. The nieces sense of betrayal makes her very disturbed because she does not expect the trusted Uncle Peck to do such a thing to her. She thus terms Uncle Pecks as illustrating a masculine get it now attitude (Vogel 26). The uncles incestuous inclinations thus develop the theme of betrayal.

On the other hand, the Hamlet play shows that Claudius seeks to manipulate and control Hamlet. For example, Claudius banishes Hamlet from Denmark when Hamlet accidentally kills Polonius. Moreover, Claudius manipulates Laertes by lying to Laertes that Hamlet maliciously caused Ophelias and Polonius deaths. The infuriated Laertes thus supports Claudius evil scheme of making Hamlet duel with Laertes whereby Hamlet is to be killed. This manipulation eventually causes the deaths of Hamlet, Laertes, Claudius, and Queen Gertrude.  Shakespeare thus aptly explores the concept of control and manipulation.

Likewise, the How I learned to Drive play dwells on the theme of control and manipulation especially through Uncle Pecks schemes against Lil Bit. As an illustration, as he seeks to gain the trust of his niece, Uncle Peck pretends to be a very good person who is sincerely concerned about the welfare of the niece. For example, he takes Lil Bit through driving lessons. Afterwards, it however turns out that Uncle Pecks alleged interest in Lil Bits welfare is only made-up. Rather, the uncle seeks to have illicit sexual liaisons with the niece. Vogel thus depicts Uncle Peck as an expert in manipulation and control.
Shakespeares play however varies from Vogels work because the oppressed parties have varied opinions about the concept of revenge. On the one hand, Hamlet seeks and finally manages to exact physical revenge on Claudius by killing him. Conversely, Lil Bit finally changes her views regarding her revenging on Uncle Peck, instead choosing to forgive her former tormentor. She regards the driving lessons that Uncle Peck gave her as enough to warrant her forgiving him.

In conclusion, the revenge, control, manipulation, and betrayal found in Hamlet as well as the How I learned to Drive plays depicts that the protagonists are frustrated. Such frustration however makes the tormented parties have varies opinions of revenge.