R.J Palacio’s compelling novel Wonder uses realistically flawed characters and multiple points of views to narrate the heartwarming story of love and friendship that goes beyond appearances. August “Auggie” Pullman, born with multiple facial deformities, lives with adoring parents, who homeschool him, and a caring sister named Via. However, his parents change his world when they decide to familiarize him with the world and send him to fifth grade at Beecher Prep. Self-conscious Auggie faces many trials at school as everyone stares at him and refuses to touch him because they fear they will catch his disease. Despite this, Auggie ends up making two friends, Summer and Jack, and one major enemy, Julian.
Summer never turns her back on Auggie, …show more content…
Palacio illustrates her first purpose clearly when Auggie says, “I wish every day could be Halloween. We could all wear masks all the time. Then we could walk around and get to know each other before we got to see what we looked like under the masks” (73). All people face judgments based on their appearances, but readers clearly understand how toxic it is through a story like Auggie’s. Palacio also urges readers to rise above negativity and treat people with extra kindness. She writes, “If every person in this room made it a rule that wherever you are, whenever you can, you will try to act a little kinder than is necessary - the world really would be a better place.” Through Wonder, Palacio draws attention not only to the plights of the disabled, but to anyone who struggles with self acceptance and urges others to make the world a better place to live …show more content…
man and the specific theme of having courage in the face of struggling. Auggie faces opposition from everyone and allows the opinions of others to influence his mood. Even though Auggie accepts his face, it never fixes his problems with others. For example. Auggie states, “Here’s what I think: the only reason I’m not ordinary is that no one else sees me that way.” Instead, Palacio underscores the theme of conflict between Auggie and his friends to illustrate the importance of friendship. Palacio also focuses on the specific theme of courage. She highlights the courage Auggie needs every day of his life to get out of bed and live his life, but also the courage it takes to leave the crowd and befriend someone like Auggie. Palacio sums it up by writing, “Courage. Friendship. Character. These are the qualities that define us as human beings, and propel us, on occasion, to
Summer never turns her back on Auggie, …show more content…
Palacio illustrates her first purpose clearly when Auggie says, “I wish every day could be Halloween. We could all wear masks all the time. Then we could walk around and get to know each other before we got to see what we looked like under the masks” (73). All people face judgments based on their appearances, but readers clearly understand how toxic it is through a story like Auggie’s. Palacio also urges readers to rise above negativity and treat people with extra kindness. She writes, “If every person in this room made it a rule that wherever you are, whenever you can, you will try to act a little kinder than is necessary - the world really would be a better place.” Through Wonder, Palacio draws attention not only to the plights of the disabled, but to anyone who struggles with self acceptance and urges others to make the world a better place to live …show more content…
man and the specific theme of having courage in the face of struggling. Auggie faces opposition from everyone and allows the opinions of others to influence his mood. Even though Auggie accepts his face, it never fixes his problems with others. For example. Auggie states, “Here’s what I think: the only reason I’m not ordinary is that no one else sees me that way.” Instead, Palacio underscores the theme of conflict between Auggie and his friends to illustrate the importance of friendship. Palacio also focuses on the specific theme of courage. She highlights the courage Auggie needs every day of his life to get out of bed and live his life, but also the courage it takes to leave the crowd and befriend someone like Auggie. Palacio sums it up by writing, “Courage. Friendship. Character. These are the qualities that define us as human beings, and propel us, on occasion, to