Sadly it's a familiar tale: boy wants to have sex, boy gets girl drunk or high, girl gives in. Too many girls have stories about losing their virginity under these circumstances, and Deanna in Story of a Girl is one of them. In Deanna's case, Tommy's a pot smoker, and he's always got "burnables" and a high libido. But while Tommy may not have grown up, Deanna has, because she doesn't want to be a stoner in Pacifica for the rest of her life.
Tommy's habit of spending his paychecks on weed, pizza, and video games isn't exactly Deanna's idea of a bright future—she sees how becoming potheads has kept her brother and Tommy in Pacifica (and is perhaps partly responsible for Darren still living in their parents' house after graduation), and she doesn't want that for herself. Even if she doesn't have much hope of getting out, Deanna keeps her eyes on the prize.
Questions About Drugs and Alcohol
- Would Deanna have slept with Tommy without drugs?
- How is Deanna able to resist getting stoned and hooking up with Tommy again once they start working together?
- Do you think pot played a role in Darren and Stacy conceiving April? Do you think they still smoke?
- Would it be hard for you to resist drugs and alcohol if you were in Deanna's shoes?
Chew on This
Pot is the drug of choice among the students at Terra Nova because it dulls their anger at living a dead-end existence.
Pot is the drug of choice among the students at Terra Nova because in a medical marijuana state like California, it's the easiest thing to get.