Everybody has fear and sadness, but if you can get through them then you will be truly happy. This story “The Perks Of Being A Wallflower” shows the reader Charlie as he matures. This story is a description of how Charlie dealt with his struggles in high school, including drugs, sexuality, friends, and relationships. This involves meeting new people and experiencing conflicts that he’s never experienced before.
Stephen Chbosky focuses on the character Charlie, who grows from naivety towards sexuality. Charlie starts out very naive. Sam invites Charlie in her room to look at the typewriter Sam gave him as a Christmas gift. Sam then asks Charlie if he has kissed any girls. Charlie says “no”. Charlie is uncomfortable with sexuality. Charlie’s annoying monk was a manifestation of his discomfort with school dances. This shows that he attends dances by himself. Charlie’s story shows him to be a very naive character. When Candace’s boyfriend hits her, it is important to explain. Charlie stays quiet because his relationship with his sister is more important to him than her health. “He wound up and struck her hard across his face. Charlie’s naivety is evident in this example, as he did not understand the seriousness of Candace’s boyfriend. He didn’t realize that the brownies were filled with marijuana. Charlie is also in conflict with Mary Elizabeth. Mary Elizabeth’s conflict is evident in the one-sidedness of their relationship. Charlie has a difficult time having a meaningful discussion with Mary Elizabeth. It is evident in a conversation on the phone: “The phone was down, he went to washroom and returned and Mary Elizabeth was still talking”. Mary Elizabeth wants Charlie to be her friend, but he doesn’t want that. Charlie is not confident enough to be a friend with Mary Elizabeth, but he wants to be. This causes tension in their relationship. Charlie’s internal conflict is exacerbated by his inability to take care of himself. He makes people happy, but does not make himself happy. Charlie, for example, is unable to satisfy Patrick alone. Patrick says goodnight to Charlie, even if Charlie doesn’t care. Charlie doesn’t want Patrick to be sad, so he allows Patrick to kiss him and say good night even though he isn’t gay. Charlie did this to make Sam happy and Patrick more content.
Charlie has a couple of epiphanies in regards to his conflicts. Mary Elizabeth played a game in order to inform Charlie that Patrick was the one who kissed Mary Elizabeth. Charlie is aware that the fake emotion will not benefit anyone. In the end, Charlie kisses Sam in order to feel catharsis. Mary Elizabeth is not aware of his true feelings. Sam tells Charlie to be more independent and Charlie takes advantage of this. “He realized that Sam could say …” if she did not approve of what Charlie was doing.
Charlie has become more mature and wise by the time the novel ends. His new perceptions are evident when he considers his ability to influence his own destiny. “While we don’t choose our past, we still have the ability to decide where we want to go.” He says. We can continue to do things and feel good about it. In addition, by the end, he realizes that Patrick and Sam’s interactions will change his life. They teach him how to become a good friend as well as to think independently. Charlie was also more experienced in his sexuality. When he is able to show his true feelings, it shows. Sexual experiences led to a failed relationship between him and Mary Elizabeth, a first crush, he first kissed, and an attraction towards Sam.
The novel shows how Charlie’s character has matured. He is more aware and confident about his future. Stephen Chbosky’s The Perks Of Being A Wallflower conveys an important lesson to readers: accept and celebrate differences. Life is about overcoming obstacles, fears, and concerns in order to achieve happiness.
