The Importance Of Charlie In The Perks Of Being A Wallflower

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In a fast-paced world where the importance of friends can be ignored, it is of utmost importance that we are able to identify our true friends. Through our friends, we are able to have someone we can trust, relate to and share memorable times. This is then ensured through sacrifice. It is clear that a real friend has all these properties, making them a relating friend. In The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Stephen Chbosky uses Charlie’s life to demonstrate that a real friend must be a relating friend in way of relatability, history and sacrifice.

In order for a friend to be relating, it is of substantial importance that they are able to relate to you and your struggles. To elaborate, during Patrick’s depression following his broken love life, he turns to Charlie, knowing that Charlie can relate to him and understand as he was in the same position following Sam. “I just kind of listen and nod because Patrick just needs to talk” (Chbosky 155). This exhibits how having someone to relate to you and your struggles, can understand you and help you through your struggles. In variation, people who are unable to relate on a high degree are unable to be long-term …show more content…

By being able to relate, friends are able to understand each other and help each other through struggles. This can be ensured by having a history where friends will share a memorable moment or event to build and maintain their friendship. Ultimately, this would all be ensured through sacrifice, where one would give up something at personal expense in order to ensure the beat outcome for the friend, therefore maintaining and strengthen the friendship. Through Charlie, we are able to understand what makes a real friend and we will hope to achieve succession in being a good friend as well as knowing who our real friends