A Coming of Age Subject?

Within her drama, How I Learned to Drive, Vogel toys with this commonly male-associated ‘coming-of-age’ subject. After having read All the Pretty Horses, I realized that Vogel distinguishes herself from other 'coming-of-age' writers by placing a female in the antagonist role. Lil' Bit, the main character of the book, evolves and transforms as the story of her love affair with her uncle progresses. At the end of the play, there is an obvious, new level of understanding for both herself and for her uncle. As Lil' Bit drives away at the end of the play, she contently witnesses her driving-instructor uncle visible in the rear view mirrior. The reader comes to understand that Lil' Bit has grown to appreciate and comprehend her new sense of identity which her uncle helped her attain.