Stephen Chbosky beautifully illustrates the life of a teenager who struggled with his mental health, family problems and friends. In The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Charlie developed from an outsider always pleasing others, to one who is more independent in his own actions and judgements. His relationship with Sam, growing participation in his own life and the secret about Aunt Helen directed his character transition at the end of the novel. Over the setting of his high school career, he learned so many things and overcame many challenges that teenagers today can relate to.
The novel begins with flashbacks to Charlie’s experience with his best friend’s suicide in middle school. These would show a bit of Charlie’s personality, the sadness …show more content…
(Chbosky, 5) The story progresses as Charlie enters high school as a freshman, beginning his journey of transition. When Charlie first met one of his senior friends; Sam, it was love at first sight. He thought to himself; “she was the first girl I ever wanted to ask on a date someday when I can drive...” (Chbosky, 20) Charlie immediately put her opinions first before his own. For instance, at the beginning of the novel, he had inappropriate dreams and thoughts about her. After hearing about Charlie’s dreams, Sam said to him “You know you’re too young for me, Charlie.....I don’t want you to waste your time thinking about me that way.” (Chbosky, 22) Her response hurts Charlie’s feelings, but he listened to Sam, despite how hard it was for him throughout the novel to stop loving her. Most of Charlie’s friends would agree that he is the wallflower of the group and that he participates, but not in his own life. At parties and social gatherings he would be the …show more content…
He “participates” in life more, by experimenting with hard drugs, going to parties and becoming romantically tied with Mary Elizabeth under Sam’s influence. At the same time, he also becomes increasingly depressed as he tries to cope with the death of his Aunt Helen. This triggered when his family was spending Christmas and his birthday together, that he remembered the death of his Aunt Helen. Charlie recites the story of his aunt’s death and he gives his current thoughts “And I know that my aunt Helen would still be alive today if she just bought me one present like everybody else. She would be alive if I were born on a day that didn’t snow.” (Chbosky, 92) His love for Sam remains the same; however barriers are now put between them. This is mainly because she starts dating an older college boy named Craig. Sam’s best friend, Mary Elizabeth, begins a relationship with Charlie. Even though it is a one sided love for Mary, Sam’s suggestions and happiness for Charlie encourages him to still date her. According to Charlie, some of her advice wasn’t very democratic and would include things like; “...with a girl like Mary Elizabeth, you shouldn’t tell her she looks pretty....she said that I should ask a lot of questions and not mind when Mary Elizabeth doesn’t stop talking.” (Chbosky, 112) With Craig dating Sam, Charlie also felt the need to take away the
The novel begins with flashbacks to Charlie’s experience with his best friend’s suicide in middle school. These would show a bit of Charlie’s personality, the sadness …show more content…
(Chbosky, 5) The story progresses as Charlie enters high school as a freshman, beginning his journey of transition. When Charlie first met one of his senior friends; Sam, it was love at first sight. He thought to himself; “she was the first girl I ever wanted to ask on a date someday when I can drive...” (Chbosky, 20) Charlie immediately put her opinions first before his own. For instance, at the beginning of the novel, he had inappropriate dreams and thoughts about her. After hearing about Charlie’s dreams, Sam said to him “You know you’re too young for me, Charlie.....I don’t want you to waste your time thinking about me that way.” (Chbosky, 22) Her response hurts Charlie’s feelings, but he listened to Sam, despite how hard it was for him throughout the novel to stop loving her. Most of Charlie’s friends would agree that he is the wallflower of the group and that he participates, but not in his own life. At parties and social gatherings he would be the …show more content…
He “participates” in life more, by experimenting with hard drugs, going to parties and becoming romantically tied with Mary Elizabeth under Sam’s influence. At the same time, he also becomes increasingly depressed as he tries to cope with the death of his Aunt Helen. This triggered when his family was spending Christmas and his birthday together, that he remembered the death of his Aunt Helen. Charlie recites the story of his aunt’s death and he gives his current thoughts “And I know that my aunt Helen would still be alive today if she just bought me one present like everybody else. She would be alive if I were born on a day that didn’t snow.” (Chbosky, 92) His love for Sam remains the same; however barriers are now put between them. This is mainly because she starts dating an older college boy named Craig. Sam’s best friend, Mary Elizabeth, begins a relationship with Charlie. Even though it is a one sided love for Mary, Sam’s suggestions and happiness for Charlie encourages him to still date her. According to Charlie, some of her advice wasn’t very democratic and would include things like; “...with a girl like Mary Elizabeth, you shouldn’t tell her she looks pretty....she said that I should ask a lot of questions and not mind when Mary Elizabeth doesn’t stop talking.” (Chbosky, 112) With Craig dating Sam, Charlie also felt the need to take away the