Book Analysis of 'The Perks of Being a Wallflower'

2572 Words6 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Coming of age themes in literature

In the year of 1991 on the 25th of August, a soon-to-be freshman high school student begins to write and mail letters to an unidentified being whom the student only refers to as ‘Friend’. The writer calls himself ‘Charlie’, replacing the names of the people in his life with fake ones, and while nothing is clear on who he really is and whom he is writing to, through these letters Charlie ends up pouring out all of his heart, mind and soul into his in-depth journal entry-like letters. Starting off high school as an outcast, Charlie is a complete outsider with only his advanced-English teacher Bill as a friend, but things slowly start to spin around for him as two extraordinarily different seniors known as Sam and Patrick enter his life and take Charlie under their wing. Strange yet exciting new experiences such as drugs, first dates, abuse, family drama, and friends fly into Charlie’s life as he begins to discover more about himself, the world, his past and the art of growing up itself. Stephen Chbosky’s “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” is a rich, fulfilling experience in itself that defines what it is like to be an introverted teenager in the 90’s.

RETELL:

What is the main theme of the story?
What is the genre of this book?

“The Perks of Being a Wallflower” is an epistolary novel (a book composed of a series of documents usually in the form of letters or diary/journal entries), and I believe that it is a perfect example of a ‘coming-of-age’ book.

The story starts off with 15-year-old Charlie writing to his Friend about how scared he is about high school, and has quite a negative, frightening image of it most likely due to the fact that his only best friend Michael had committed suicide not too long ago. At this point, it is...

... middle of paper ...

...into the character development of a character.) In a nutshell, Charlie used to be an introverted, shy, inexperienced guy afraid to acknowledge the darker periods of his life, but after experiencing the wondrous events thrown at him, he begins to loosen and open up and accept every part of himself, acknowledging that no matter what happens he will and should be okay. *NOTE: LOOK BACK AT RETELL*

CONCLUSION:

“The Perks of Being a Wallflower” simply put was a novel about growing up, yet really, the book had so many hidden messages, conceptions and ideas that really changed my perspective on certain areas in life. I was able to relate and reflect on the book, and the story itself is one I will never forget. I would recommend this book to maybe a slightly older audience than our grade, and “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” is a novel I will definitely be reading again.

Show More
Related

  • Kathleen Glasgow's Girl In Pieces

    515 Words  | 2 Pages

    The main idea of the book was a girl learning to cope with her past and and trying to grow from it. Charlie starts of in a mental institution for self-harm. She is then taken out of the place because of her mother’s lack of money. She goes to Arizona to be helped out by her friend Mikey, which is gone most of the time. Charlie gets a job at a weird coffee place and meets a guy named Riley, where they instantly get a connection. The rest of the book is Charlie trying to learn how to deal with all of her past hardships and find a better way to deal with the memories and pain. The only two coping methods she seemed

    Read More

  • Whirligig by Paul Fleischman

    469 Words  | 1 Pages

    Even though the story might seem ordinary at times, it allows you to look at the big picture, which is the most important aspect. The main character-Brent- displays characteristics that a lot of high school students can relate to; whether male or female. In his cross-country adventure through the U.S., exciting and unexpected moments never cease to amuse you. All kinds of people contribute to Brent’s change of attitude; one comment or story or facial expression at a time. And possibly the best part of it all is that you get all of this educational, amusing literature in only 133 pages.

    Read More

  • The Common of Ellison's Battle Royal and Hemingway's Soldier's Home

    1172 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...cters and event influences, helping them to develop their character by the end of the story.

    Read More

  • Examples Of Transcendentalism In The Perks To Being A Wallflower

    1222 Words  | 3 Pages

    Growing up, Charlie faced two difficult loses that changed his life by getting him admitted in the hospital. As a young boy, he lost his aunt in a car accident, and in middle school, he lost his best friend who shot himself. That Fall, Charlie walks through the doors his first day of highschool, and he sees how all the people he used to talk to and hang out with treat him like he’s not there. While in English class, Mr. Anderson, Charlie’s English teacher, notices that Charlie knew the correct answer, but he did not want to speak up and let his voice be heard. As his first day went on, Charlie met two people that would change named Sam and Patrick who took Charlie in and helped him find himself. When his friends were leaving for college, they took one last ride together in the tunnel and played their favorite song. The movie ends with Charlie reading aloud his final letter to his friend, “This one moment when you know you’re not a sad story, you are alive. And you stand up and see the lights on buildings and everything that makes you wonder, when you were listening to that song” (Chbosky). Ever since the first day, Charlie realized that his old friends and classmates conformed into the average high schooler and paid no attention to him. Sam and Patrick along with Mr. Anderson, changed his views on life and helped him come out of his shell. Charlie found a

    Read More

  • Catcher in the Rye Essay: Levels of Meaning

    901 Words  | 2 Pages

    Protected by a cocoon of naiveté, Holden Caulfield, the principal character in the novel, The Catcher in the Rye, therapeutically relates his lonely 24 hour stay in downtown New York city, experiencing the "phony" adult world while dealing with the death of his innocent younger brother.  Through this well-developed teenage character, JD Salinger, uses simple language and dialogue to outline many of the complex underlying problems haunting adolescents.  With a unique beginning and ending, and an original look at our new society, The Catcher in the Rye is understood and appreciated on multiple levels of comprehension. The book provides new insights and a fresh view of the world in which adolescents live.

    Read More

  • Comparison between The Yellow Wallpaper and A Rose for Emily

    964 Words  | 2 Pages

    In conclusion, both female protagonists from “A Rose for Emily” and “The Yellow Wallpaper” experience oppression from the dominant males in their lives which eventually causes them to be physically isolated from their contemporary world. Thus, their seclusion leads them to experience confusion and stifling emotions, while teaching them more about themselves and their inner thoughts.

    Read More

  • Analysis Of 'On The Sidewalk Bleeding'

    1064 Words  | 3 Pages

    Conclusion: The author Evan Hunter, of the story, “On The Sidewalk Bleeding” successfully demonstrates the theme of Coming of Age as he shifted his main character from an adolescent, idealistic view of the world to a more mature and realistic view. The character matured from making ignorant and selfish decisions to a more knowledgeable and selfless decisions. Andy came of age from a boy to a man, as he lay on the street bleeding to death. All in all these newly developed characteristics all prove the genre of coming of

    Read More

  • Raymond Carver's Cathedral

    1088 Words  | 3 Pages

    A transformation took place during the story and it is evident through the narrator?s character. In the beginning he was lacking in compassion, he was narrow minded, he was detached, he was jealous, and he was bitter. Carver used carefully chosen words to illustrate the narrator?s character and the change. Throughout the story his character undergoes a transformation into a more emotionally aware human being.

    Read More

  • The Perks Of Being A Wallflower: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

    1197 Words  | 3 Pages

    The movie, The Perks of Being A Wallflower, released in 2012, is based on the book written by Stephen Chbosky, which was originally published in 1999. The book is all about the main character, Charlie, as he deals with his first year in high school, after the tragic death of his Aunt Helen. The movie opens with Charlie writing in a journal, which is a part of his therapy for the mental illness he suffers from on account of his Aunt 's death. The past year or so before this, Charlie had been suffering from memories and flashbacks of the way his Aunt died in a car accident. He is hopeful that high school will bring new things for him, but after the first day, is disappointed after the bullying and neglect he finds from other students. Things

    Read More

  • What Impact does Jasper Jones have on the Reader?

    1590 Words  | 4 Pages

    ... reader. Throughout the book, Charlie unfolds secrets and truths about the world and the society that he lives in; secrets and truths that cause him to grow up and transition into adulthood. He also makes a life changing decision and rebelled against was he thought was the right thing. This reflects his maturity and bravery throughout the journey he travels that summer. Charlie eyes suddenly become open to the injustice that the town of Corrigan demonstrates. He also comes to face the issue of racism; not only shown towards his best friend Jeffrey and the Lu family but to Jasper Jones as well. He realises the town of Corrigan is unwilling to accept outsiders. Charlie not only finds out things that summer about the people that surround him, but he also finds out who he is personally.

    Read More

  • Up The Down Staircase

    714 Words  | 2 Pages

    This story takes place in a New York City school in Manhattan, in the nineteen- sixties. The book covers the span of one school semester form September to February.

    Read More

  • The Perks Of Being A Wallflower Identity Analysis

    495 Words  | 1 Pages

    The role of identity plays an important role in all adolescence which can help shape their future. In psychology, identity is the conception, qualities, beliefs, and expressions that make a person or group. The movie, “The Perks of Being a Wallflower”, illustrates how teens struggle with identity. Charlie is an anti-social freshman who is befriended by a group of high school seniors, who introduces him to the world of drugs, love, sexulatity, friendship, and lies. His friends play a huge role in his development. Throughout the movie, Charlie was able to build upon his character and develop friendships that gave him a new perspective that life needs, to live life rather than watching it.

    Read More

  • Character Analysis: Charlie from 'Perks of Being a Wallflower'

    758 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a coming of age film that chronicles the life of a boy named Charlie. Charlie is 15 years old and has just begun his first year of high school. He will give a detailed account of the joys and pains of his freshman year in high school. He begins by writing letters to an unknown stranger, but then, you realize that stranger is you. Through these Charlie tells his story from his perspective. He will experience many highs and lows related to the adolescence phase. The highlights of the paper will focus on the biological/physical, psychological, social, spiritual, cultural issues, as well as his strengths and challenges.

    Read More

  • The Perks Of Being A Wallflower And Catcher In The Rye

    996 Words  | 2 Pages

    While societal attitudes attitudes may change over time, the challenges associated with the transition from childhood to adulthood remain constant. The ideas of individuality, alienation and loss of innocence fortify the theme of coming of age across the texts The Catcher in the Rye and The Perks of Being a Wallflower. The Catcher in the Rye, a bildungsroman novel written by J.D. Salinger in 1951, focuses on teenager Holden Caulfield’s transition from childhood to adulthood in 1950’s America, whereas the film The Perks of Being a Wallflower directed by Stephen Chbosky in 2012 follows teenager Charlie experiencing a similar transition in 1990’s America. Despite their varying contexts, these ideas are presented in both texts through the use the

    Read More

  • Character Analysis: The Perks Of Being A Wallflowers

    1089 Words  | 3 Pages

    The perks of being a wallflowers is about Charlie, a 15 year old freshman student that is about to start his high school year. He lives with his parents and older sister. Charlie has as an older brother too, but he lives away because he is attending college. As the movie starts goes, it is implied that when Charlie was a kid he was molested by his aunt, who later dies in a car accident on Christmas Eve, (which is also Charlie’s birthday). His family seems to have a strong bond, they each follow a role, and they support each other. During some scenes in the movie, Charlie seems to be having internalizing problems. As the movie progressed, it is revealed that Charlie had a friend that committed suicide, and this event made Charlie to feel sorrowful. When he enters high school, Charlie appears to be very concern of what others may think about him, as well as

    Read More

More about Book Analysis of 'The Perks of Being a Wallflower'

Open Document