Perks Of Being a Wallflower

 

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=alseep+smiths

I would recommend listening to this while reading my Literary Analysis; not only is it a great song but it is a huge part of the book.

PART 1


I found this book through the movie. I was very emotionally impacted by the film and I was absolutely certain the book would be even more devastating and hilarious than the movie could ever be. But over all, the main reason i was drawn to this book is because of the connections I have with it. I feel very similarly to the characters, and its weird to think that every person I have met in real life can be compared to a person in this book. We all feel pain, we all know suffering. But sometimes its hard to put that feeling into words; but Stephen Chbosky bluntly and naturally puts every experience of heartbreak into incredibly sweet, innocent phrasing. Through the eyes of Charlie we can easily see the world for what it really is, a laugh, a tragedy and a kiss. That is what kept me reading, the way Charlie effortlessly puts into words and phrases the experience of growing up. I could not put the book down, I have read it at least 7 times since I first purchased it, and each time it only gets better.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a series of letters from a taciturn boy named Charlie. They follow his everyday life, relationships and are perfect example of coming into your own, and growing up. Through Charlie and his friends, Chbosky wishes to show us the imperfections and pain every single person has to deal with. Of which he completely and wholly succeeded. From the moment I was introduced to Charlie, i saw too much of myself in him. It was frightening to have real, tangible writing that so perfectly described things bouncing around my head. In all honestly at first I was afraid to find too much of myself in the novel (which i did) but i realize there is nothing negative about finding your whole life written in a book.

Most of the time in this novel Chbosky uses very simple, direct language when explaining painful things. Which I believe is the way everyone looks at pain. Not as an emotion, or living breathing torment in your history, but a simple explanation, a blunt statement. For example when Charlie speaks about her Aunt Helen being molested as a child, this is how Chbosky words the confession,

 "It was done by someone close to her. She finally told her dad. He didn't believe her because of who it was. A friend of the family. It just made it worse. My grandma never said anything either. And the man kept coming over for visits." (pg 90)

The sentences are short and to the point. Making it seem almost unreal, as if someone is trying to passively suggest that is didn't happen., when it most certainly did and the effects are greater than we can imagine. Another example is when Charlie talks of Craig cheating on Sam

"And when i say cheat I don't mean he got drunk once and fooled around with another girl and felt bad about it. There were several girls. Several times. Drunk and sober. And I guess he never felt bad."(pg 177)

And finally when Charlie has an anxiety attack he refuses to believe there is anything wrong. He will not admit to himself that he is in pain and often people do the same thing.  Through almost child-like sentences, Chbosky uses this moment to show how panicked and chaotic peoples mind are, and how much more is lurking beneath the surface of what one sees.

"And i know that i am thinking to fast again and it's all  in my head like a trance, but it's there and it wont go away. I just keep seeing him, and he keeps hitting my sister, and i want him to stop...but he wont listen, and i dont know what to do." (pg 205)]

PART 2
The way the story is written is very, very important. Everything the author puts down was pictured and planned for a specific purpose and message. These are 10 techniques Chbosky used to enhance the theme of his book.

Flashbacks- Flashbacks and overall storytelling are a big part of this novel. They help us better understand the characters we read about them and what they feel. For example, when Charlie meets Sam he sees her as light, a lark, very innocent and pure. He thinks she is perfect. But when she admits a painful part of her self, Charlie is made aware to the possibility that everyone has a moment of pain in their life. "She told me about the first time she was kissed. She told me that it was one with one of her dads friends. She was seven." (pg 70)

Breaking the forth wall- The Perks of Being a Wallflower is entirely made up of letters that Charlie sends to an anonymous reader. However, throughout the course of the book he addresses the reader as you, making the entire novel seem more personal and real. By using this technique Chbosky suggests that Charlie could be anyone; people you know, school friends, strangers. Which further pushes the idea that most, at some point in their life anyone can relate to Sam, Patrick or Charlie. "I think you of all people would understand that because you of all people are alive and appreciate what that means." (pg 2)

Imagery- "My grandfather was crying. It was the kind of crying that was quiet and a secret. The kind that only I noticed." (pg 59) Although, this is not a perfect example of imagery I believe that it still applies. This novel doesn't use any type of of flowery descriptive language. Yet this passage in particular is one that is crystal clear in your head. It is real, relatable and something everyone can sense and feel. Which again shows the authors intention of putting the story in to real life.

Hamartia- Charlies fatal flaw is his inability to except that he was sad and needed love and help. He bottled up the feeling until it exploded in rage and depression. "I've been in the hospital for the past two months. They just released me yesterday. The doctor said my mother and father found me sitting on the couch in the family room. I was completely naked, just watching the television, which wasn't on. I wouldn't speak or snap out of it..." (pg 208) This is only a foreshadowing event for the reader. If one doesn't acknowledge the pain or hardship in your life, it  will come out in a horrible negative way.

Setting- Another part of this story that makes it very substantial, is the generic settings. Regular high school hallways and average homes and parks. It can very easily be put into ones own perspective and experience because it is so broad undescriptive. "We are all sitting at Sam and Patrick's house..It was a rich house. Very clean." (pg 65)

PART 3
The way Charlie is presented to us makes him seem like a very small part of ourselves. Every once in awhile we feel like Charlie and Chbosky through the direct and indirect characterization of Charlie touches the most vulnerable part of us. "I am very small. That's true. But I guess Sean didn't know I could fight." (pg 7) This example is an example direct characterization of our protagonist giving us a picture in our head of him. He is small, weak looking; probably someone who would get picked on a lot, except for the fact that Charlie is fighter. He doesn't let him self get put down. More than likely because he does that enough for himself. "I'm so sorry that I've wasted your time because you really do mean a lot to me and I hope you have a nice life because I really think you deserve it." (pg 206) Since this novel is written from charlie to us, the only way we see him is how he sees himself. As a waste of space, a burden but by this point in the novel we know he is so much more than that. We can see his compassion, his love, his deep sense of emotions and comprehension of people and the way they work. He is the definition of empathy and understanding. A part of human nature underrated by most. The love Charlie receives can be seen through the words and conversations of the characters around him. "'Hes a wallflower'...'You see things. You keep quiet about them. And you understand.'" (pg 37) This is a primary example of how people in the story view Charlie. He is sweet, caring, and too the eyes of many a great person. Someone, a lot of people strive to be to better themselves.“But mostly, I was crying because I was suddenly very aware of the fact that it was me standing up in that tunnel with the wind over my face. Not caring if I saw downtown. Not even thinking about it. Because I was standing in the tunnel. And I was really there. And that was enough to make me feel infinite.”(pg 213) Charlie is a symbol for every time you felt down, every time you were put down. When the pain is too much and the depression and anxiety catch up and you lose yourself to sadness. But he is also the embodiment of small moments. The moments that make people who they are. And that is what makes him so beautiful.

Charlie is a perfect example of a dynamic, round character. As the story progresses charlie becomes more and more of a paradox. He is excited and "participating in life" but at he same time he is incredibly sad and depressed. Charlie states it the best himself. "And i want you to know that i am both happy and sad and I'm still trying to figure out how that could be." (pg 2) Although he does grow up and experience more conflicts, more moments in life, he grows more and more mentally sick. This happens as a result of his Aunt Helen and his inability to cope with past traumas. Luckily he comes to terms with the past when he finally asks for help. Enabling him to grow and prosper even more.

This book is one of the most life changing books  have ever read. I will never forget it and it will always be in my repertoire. It "hit me right at home" in a certain way that hardly any books do. And the only way i can think of explaining it is this quote from the novel.

"And she kissed me. I was the kind of kiss that i could never tell my friends about out loud. It was the kind of kiss that made me know that I have never been so happy in my entire life." (pg 70)

It is personal, and heart wrenching. An experience, not just a book. More than just a story, it is life written and described in every excruciating real detail. And I cant thank Charlie enough, for existing in my heart and mind, making things a little more bearable.

Twiggy