ipl-logo

A Thematic Analysis Of August Pullman's Wonder

1465 Words6 Pages

“Wonder,” tells a story about August Pullman, a boy with severe facial deformities, riding on the journey to how he settles into the school environment, make new friends, endure through the harsh setting, and survive the typical middle school dramas. Not only does it show his struggles and reflects his self-doubting process, it also illustrates the malicious and superficiality of people who vainly judge others based on their physical appearance. In spite of the brusque and insensitive comments, he remains spirited.

In this essay, I am taking the thematic approach to produce themes from this book as it unravels. Connecting to the Looking Glass Self, August experienced embarrassment when he overheard his best friend, Jack, talking negatively …show more content…

Thereby, adhering to conventions. August tries very hard to adapt to school by making some changes. He cuts off his long bangs that were used to block what he does not want to see (his deformed face) and his padawan strain of braided side hair that was with him for years that signified his obsession with Star Wars. He did not want to be identified as “the boy who loves Star Wars”, not to mention his peers mocking him for his ‘uncool’ hairstyle. In this instance, his desire to ‘fit in’ besides ensuring not to lose ‘face’ made him learn and follow the norms. Likewise, he often held back his tears and avoids hugging his mom in school because he does not want others to see him as a ‘baby’ who needs to be reassured all the time. In addition, not wanting to be embarrassed as no one at middle school hugs their mom. Even so, we do not modify the behaviors that we become unrecognizable. He remains the same person while he changed his hairstyle or behaviors to accommodate to the social setting.

Via, August’s sister, is also going through a transition from middle school to high school. A phase where everyone is judgmental and there are pressures to conform to expectations. She does not want to invite August to her school play because she was fearful that people would see her as “the sister of a deformed brother” because that is what she was known for at middle school. Again, depicting the significance of managing a social self as she desires to be received for who she is and not labeled as something she does not resonate

Show More
Related
1014 Words | 5 Pages

The realistic fiction novel Tangerine, written by Edward Bloor, follows the tale of a dysfunctional family and the dark secrets that they are slowly discovering within themselves. The author uses the motif -a repeated theme or idea in the story- of sight to further the story and in doing so, gives the character better understanding of each other and the truth. Through the motif of sight, Paul -the main character in the novel- has a growing understanding of his friends, family, and himself. The first group Paul experiences a growing understanding of is his friends.

Read More
1275 Words | 6 Pages

Initially, in Laurence’s story, we see a “tall, and lanky [boy] with an angular face, the bones showing through his brown

Read More
1627 Words | 7 Pages

When Connie and her friend are sitting at a restaurant, a boy named Eddie appears and converses with them (371). Connie, enthusiastic about the positive attention Eddie is giving her, agrees to go with him to his car (371). As they walk to his car, Connie catches multiple glimpses of Arnold Friend (371). She is attracted to him not by his looks alone, but by the positive attention that he is giving her. It is this positive attention that fills the void of self-worth that defines Connie as a character.

Read More
875 Words | 4 Pages

Macy Scharpf Chin Honors English 9, Period 4 23 January 2023 Past events can often define the actions someone takes and who they are in the present. If society takes the time to analyze these actions, individuals can figure out the feelings of one another in a certain moment. “Speak” by Laurie Halse Anderson delineates the thoughts and feelings of a teenage girl, Melinda, as she navigates the highs and lows of high school, while carrying the weight of a past traumatic event. In the passage from the book, “Speak”, author Laurie Halse Anderson uses different types of figurative language such as similes and metaphors, as well as repetition to reveal Melinda’s negative thoughts on her past and current feelings about high school.

Read More
720 Words | 3 Pages

If children are unable to cope with transitions they may show different types of emotions/behaviour, this may include the following- A child may behave differently to what they usually would. Sometimes children will want to tell you things before their parent does.

Read More
443 Words | 2 Pages

AddiBonally, the narrator describes his brother’s physical appearance “small and feeble” and his “strange” and “ugly” features also

Read More
1221 Words | 5 Pages

Hannah has chosen to isolate herself from society and neglect her surroundings. This ignorance allows her to separate herself from the normalities someone of her age would live with, leaving a life revolving solely around piano. She disregards her friends and family, which portrays her level of ignorance. Furthermore, as Hannah progresses through her youth, she begins to realize all the things she misses due to the way she lives. As she becomes more aware of this, an urge builds up inside of her to “break [her] promise to Tante Rose” (4).

Read More
792 Words | 4 Pages

After many years of ridicule and hearing the same untasteful mean words the author learns how to cope, but coping only last as long as they are among friends or others like them, behind closed doors it is a different story. “I spent many years shutting the staring out. ” ... “In truth the door slammed hard, and I lost it all, all the appreciation, flirtation, solidarity, that can be wrapped into a gaze” (Clair p7). Even though the author became accustomed of the ridicule when alone the sadness and hurt set in.

Read More
412 Words | 2 Pages

The stifling social characteristics and the judgment of others further isolate Ethan and contribute to his despair. The fear of society’s judgment prevents him from pursuing happiness and breaking from his miserable existence. The novel highlights the importance of authentic connections in defying societal expectations and the courage required to overcome conformity. Ethan Frome serves as a cautionary tale that highlights the missed opportunities for connection. The book shadows the characters missed chances for genuine relationships, and potential for growth and happiness that could have been.

Read More
1487 Words | 6 Pages

This has made Tom affected because he realizes how he really has no chance to do what he wants without being judged by others, and he isn;t able to participate in normal activity. While most people in society are able to fit in, others are constantly having trouble with that. Others feel constant pressure to try and fit in which makes someone acting like how someone really is on the inside gets taken out of the picture. Most people in society try and just fit in rather than just being the nerd or whoever the person really is. This makes people be friends with people who really aren;t real friends, but all of the people have the same idea of fitting in which could make

Read More
1218 Words | 5 Pages

She tries to navigate through her first year of high school, and it seems like the entire student body despises her; she feels more alone than ever. I will be analyzing and making connections to three specific elements in this novel: the search for one’s identity, Melinda’s inner conflict,

Read More
1249 Words | 5 Pages

The purpose of symbolism in literature is to represent the turmoil and struggles of the characters which cannot directly conveyed. Laurie Halse Anderson’s novel Speak relies on these as a subtle method of characterization and a way of expressing the themes of the novel. These symbols in the story are plentiful and make parallels to Melinda’s feelings, fears, and character development, such as mirrors, the settings of the closet and art room, and trees. The presence of mirrors in the story represent Melinda’s self-confidence (or lack thereof) and the level of acceptance she has reached with herself. Early in the story she decides to hide the mirrors in her bedroom and closet at school as a way of hiding from herself.

Read More
860 Words | 4 Pages

The narrator begins to change as Robert taught him to see beyond the surface of looking. The narrator feels enlightened and opens up to a new world of vision and imagination. This brief experience has a long lasting effect on the narrator. Being able to shut out everything around us allows an individual the ability to become focused on their relationships, intrapersonal well-being, and

Read More
1239 Words | 5 Pages

“Wonder" is a story about August Pullman, a boy with severe facial deformities, riding on the journey to how he settles into the school environment; making new friends, despite the harsh atmosphere and his endurance throughout the typical middle school dramas. Not only does it show his struggles, the self-doubting process but also illustrates the malicious and superficiality of people who vainly judge others based on his physical appearance. Despite the brusque and insensitive comments, he remains full of life. Correspondingly, it teaches the value of kindness, to love everyone, and be inclusive. Connecting to Looking Glass Self, August experienced embarrassment when he overheard his best friend, Jack, talking negatively about his looks, that August should be ashamed to look like this and questioned if he can get used to seeing his face.

Read More
780 Words | 4 Pages

This because she is a capricious protagonist who can be perceived as utterly, unstable and unreliable. In one passage she cries and feels pity for herself, and in the following she expresses maternal compassion and care for others. Alice’s constant changes in size are puzzling for her. She seems to struggle in order to comprehend her identity, but the various oscillations in size and in life phases cause considerable confusion on her. The concept of identity can be also associated to an adolescent’s socio-emotional development.

Read More

More about A Thematic Analysis Of August Pullman's Wonder

Related Topics

Open Document