
A central theme in Half His Age is wastefulness, reflecting Waldo’s own sense of emptiness. She struggles with self-worth, living amidst chaos and neglect because her mother prioritizes romantic relationships over her needs. Waldo spends lonely evenings online shopping, particularly on Sephora, and her earnings from Victoria’s Secret are quickly spent on items meant to make her more appealing. She cycles through relationships without finding fulfillment. Her attraction to her teacher isn’t about physical desire, but a longing for someone different from everyone else in her life – someone unattainable. Unlike the instant gratification of fast food and makeup, Mr. Korgy represents something she can’t immediately have.