Perks Of Being A Wallflower: Charlie's Story Resonating With Mary Ward

Perks of Being a Wallflower: Charlie’s Story Resonating with Mary Ward

Stephen Chbosky's novel, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, is a coming-of-age story that follows the letters of Charlie, a unique thinker entering his freshman year of high school. Charlie's quirky personality sets him apart from his peers, leading to a range of challenges and struggles. The book explores themes of adolescence, mental health, and the complexities of growing up. As Charlie grapples with his mental health, he motivates himself to become more engaged with his life by fostering meaningful connections with his loved ones and, most importantly, with himself. The book has struck a chord with the Mary Ward community because

One of the main themes in the book is the evolution of friendships. The transition to high school often brings changes in friendships, whether intentional or not. Charlie's experience highlights this reality, as he struggles to navigate the loss of his friend Michael and the changes in his other relationships. In one instance. “She doesn’t like to say “hi” to me in the hall anymore” (Chbosky 8). Charlie observes how a girl from his middle school seems to act differently around boys and no longer acknowledges him in the hallways. This relatable example illustrates how friendships can naturally drift apart as individuals grow and change, in Mary Ward there are many instances where students were close in grade nine then as the four years progressed, they drifted because from the ages of fifteen to eighteen is a self-discovery phase. Most

Despite the unchanging nature of the bond, the relationship still undergoes transformation and growth over time. Charlie has a typical brother-sister relationship with his sibling, with mutual care and affection. However, their connection deepens when his sister confides in him about her pregnancy and he supports her through an abortion.“Because of all the things she could have said right after she got out of there, she picked my smoking. And she got angry about it. And I knew if my sister was angry, then her face wouldn’t be that different. And she would be okay.” (Chbosky 85-86). When his smoking habit is revealed, their relationship is tested, and they are forced to keep the events of that day from their parents. Despite the challenges, their relationship evolves from annoyance and misunderstanding to empathy and appreciation. This theme of family growth and understanding can be relatable to students and with their siblings and personal situations, having that understanding allows them to connect to the book on a deeper level and even have a feeling of reassurance if they have experienced something similar or even the