The Perks of Being a Wallflower, a film adapted from the book written by Stephen Chbosky, tells the story of Charlie Kelmeckis, an awkward freshman at a new school who knows no one but the girlfriend of his best friend who killed himself the year before, and even she doesn’t talk to him. It’s narration is in the form of letters written from Charlie to an anonymous person who Charlie feels he can trust with his life story because “she said you listen and understand and didn't try to sleep with that person at that party even though you could have.” The film begins with Charlie’s first day of high school, a foreign setting filled with bullies, social pressures, and, for Charlie, primarily isolation. Though his brother is an all-star football …show more content…
explores the theory of four traumagenic dynamics, or factors of abuse that lead to long term trauma. These dynamics include traumatic sexualization, betrayal, stigmatization, and powerlessness. According to Finkelhor, traumatic sexualization “a process in which a child’s sexuality (including both sexual feelings and sexual attitudes) is shaped in a developmentally inappropriate and interpersonally dysfunctional fashion as a result of sexual abuse.” In this study, betrayal refers to the feelings of a child who has discovered that someone they trust has abused or mistreated them in some way. These feelings are often not just towards their abuser, but also towards family members/guardians who have disregarded their suffering rather than protected them from abuse. Powerlessness is highly present in victims of abuse whose efforts to end their abuser’s ways have been combated and the victim has lost all will and power in their situation. The victim may continue to feel a sense of disempowerment throughout their life, making it easier for them to fall victim to abuse again. In fact, in a study of 2,855 women, the victims of sexual abuse as children were 3 ½ times more likely to report sexual violence again in their lifetime than those who had not previously been victims. The last dynamic, stigmatization, causes victims to experience low self-esteem because of the stigmas against their situation and social pressures to hide their abuse rather than speaking up for themselves. Together, these four dynamics give us a better understanding of the lives and struggles of victims of childhood sexual abuse, including Charlie. Although he may not have been completely aware of his abuse for a period of time, he still experienced many, if not all, of these effects that abuse has caused
The Perks of a Wallflower, written by Stephen Chbosky, is a captivating novel that follows the transformation of a boy referred to as Charlie throughout his freshman year of high school. During the course of the book Charlie, his sister, and friends fall in and out of relationships. Each one of them is seeking the love and attention of another person, even without directly expressing their emotions. Love is a recurring theme in this book, even though it is shown in different ways.
“Books give a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything” (Anonymous). Books are the most patient teachers there could exist in this world; they are the best sources of imagination ever created by humanity. That’s why books and movies are totally two different worlds. “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” is a very special and instructive book where is perfectly suited to the adolescence or teenage times. This specific book that was assigned for class reading was at first sight very ordinary and kind of a boring type, but as one reads on and on, one will realize that is a very realistic and educational type one. It is that one book that one will identify oneself in more than one occasion, where
The Perks of Being a Wallflower written by Stephen Chbosky, follows a socially awkward 15 year old boy named Charlie as he breaks from his cocoon and soars higher than could have ever been anticipated. The coming of age novel became Stephen Chbosky’s gem, selling seven hundred thousand copies early on in the books journey. Wallflower may be his only novel written to date, but Stephen has contributed to film as well, with works such as the screenplay for his own novel and creator of the television series Jericho. The story surrounds protagonist Charlie through his letters written to only who is described as “friend”. Patrick, a happy go lucky guy with an eternal smile. One of Charlie’s best and only friends, the pair find themselves in situations even an adult might find challenging. Lastly, there is Sam. Wonderful, sweet, caring Sam. Charlie was smitten from the moment he laid eyes on her. Sam is a huge supporter in breaking Charlie free of his shyness and encourages him to really live life without being worrisome. The novel follows Charlie as he faces new experiences, good and bad. Experiences along the lines of first love, drugs and alcohol, suicide and facing difficulties of adulthood and coming of age. Charlie is a Wallflower, but eventually will fully bloom.
The book uses 12 different narratives from males who confide their life stories, which illustrate the diversity of the abusive experience and their reactions to the tragic incident. This book’s main goal is to gather awareness for victims, survivors and as a learning tool that uses these life stories to help observe the issue further. The text integrates these life stories into several chapter. His first chapter discusses the vulnerability of males and how male sexual abuse is a topic not well-recognized within society. By examining the issue through a psychological and behavioral lens; there is a need to find a relation of the consequences of sexual abuse. It distorts self-perception, perceptions of others and closely examines behavioral/physical indicators, as there is comparison on how males and females disclose traumatic experiences. Further information is given, as to what types of social background that males come from, more vulnerable to sexual abuse come. Although, the bottom line is perceptions and life strategies develop from memories and expectations of the mind. Education can play a key part, by teaching the dangers of sexuality but also explain the positive aspect when sexuality is explored for the content of self-respect and respect of others. Overall, this text is an effective tools for those working with sexually abused males to read, and recognize the difficulties and obstacles faced, and what appropriate strategy can be developed to work further to help cope with the trauma suffered. As well, for victims and survivors it is an inspirational text guided to build resiliency and a feeling of togetherness, that no individual is alone. Lastly, this resource should be available to teachers, mental health workers, and other professions that
. “Sexual abuse experiences that are perpetrated by family members or other trusted persons obviously involve more potential for betrayal than those involving strangers” (Browne & Finkelhor, 1985, Pg. 3). The third concept was powerlessness, which can also be disempowerment. The last one is stigmatization, which is the negative connotation such as guilt and shame that the child incorporated into their self-image. Promiscuity and compulsive sexual behaviors are some of the characteristics of CSA victims then they become adolescents or adults. As an adult, the victim may start showing signs of impaired judgment about trustworthiness of other people or become desperate to find a redeeming relationship (Browne & Finkelhor, 1985). This research
In his introspective film, Perks of Being a Wallflower, Stephen Chbosky illustrates that human connections are necessary for growth. The story takes place in a high school in the early 1990’s and follows the life of Charlie; a freshman with a traumatic past and emotional issues. Charlie struggles to make friends, not even finding solidarity with his sister Candace and her boyfriend Derek. It isn’t until he meets Sam and Patrick, two seniors who welcome him into their group of “Wallflowers” that Charlie finds a place he belongs. Throughout the film, music creates a common experience; strengthening the connection between characters and exposing the nature of their relationship.
In the book The Perks Of Being A Wallflower, a realistic fiction book by Stephen Chbosky, Charlie a freshman boy struggles with his mental health, relationships, drugs, and high school, in an attempt to fit in. I immensely recommend this book as it explores the effects that the stress of High School has on the teenage mind and how teens are able to overcome it, particularly in a mid nineties setting. The Perks Of Being A Wallflower, takes place in the suburbs of Pittsburgh Pennsylvania in the mid-nineties, which is used to create a small town feel. This small town feel helps move the plot along because everyone knows everything about everyone, like when Charlie asked his sister about Sam “I asked my sister about this, and she said Sam has low
Sexual abuse is not only found in books, it is real life happening all over. According to the American Psychological Association and RAINN every eight minutes a child is sexually assaulted in the US. The effects of it even feel worse, the victim will feel guilt, shame and blame, feeling it was their fault. Along with the most important, low self-esteem. Low self-esteem can affect many different aspects of the victim's life, it’s damaging relationships, careers, and even health.
Child sexual abuse is defined as “the involvement of a child in sexual activity that he or she does not fully comprehend, is unable to give informed consent to, or for which the child is not developmentally prepared, or else that violates the laws or social taboos of society” (Ajduković, Sušac, and Rajter 470). In Bastard out of Carolina, Ruth Ann “Bone” Boatwright started experiencing sexual child abuse from her stepfather at the age of twelve, which changed aspects of her life forever. Coincidentally, it was proven through research that young girls between the ages of 13 and 16 suffered sexual abuse by adult men that they knew previously (Ajduković, Sušac, and Rajter 475). While it could be a family member, an acquaintance, or a friend, the feelings of betrayal remain the same.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower written by Stephen Chbosky follows the protagonist and narrator, Charlie, a teenage boy who writes a series of letters to an anonymous recipient. Throughout the book Charlie is confronted with a variety of issues, including teen sexuality, drugs, alcohol and suicide in which are expressed through his letters. Chbosky explores the themes of sexuality, participation and maturity with the use of intertextual references to enhance the chosen themes. The theme of sexuality is enhanced with the references to The Rocky Horror Picture Show as it explores similar ideas. Participation is a problem for Charlie and also for the narrator of The Great Gatsby, Nick as they are constantly observing others and avoiding participation.
Now you may be wondering what the perks of being a wallflower is. Go see this movie starring, Logan Lerman, who plays the role of a freshman named Charlie who experiences a number of things socially,mentally,and physically. Sounds boring? Yes, i know. But I also know that this teenage pg 13 rated, drama film is far from boring!
The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a coming of age film that chronicles the life of a boy named Charlie. Charlie is 15 years old and has just begun his first year of high school. He will give a detailed account of the joys and pains of his freshman year in high school. He begins by writing letters to an unknown stranger, but then, you realize that stranger is you. Through these Charlie tells his story from his perspective. He will experience many highs and lows related to the adolescence phase. The highlights of the paper will focus on the biological/physical, psychological, social, spiritual, cultural issues, as well as his strengths and challenges.
Sexual abuse cannot be clearly defined with ease. In fact, sexual abuse is an umbrella term for any sort of situation, whether or not it involves physical contact, in which a sexually immature child is exposed to anything sexual in nature. Because no child is psychologically mature enough for sexual stimulation, the complex feelings associated with it are mentally and emotionally disfiguring. Children who have been sexually abused experience an array of negative emotions such as shame, guilt and anger, and may display oddly withdrawn or distrustful behaviors. They cannot help but feel that they somehow brought the abuse unto themselves (Saisan, et al). One major contributing factor to these severe psychological consequences is the concept of trust. Sexual abuse is, in most cases, committed by a parent or other trusted adult figure. While children are naïve on such adult topics, they can still get an overwhelming feeling that the attention is wrong, yet they are unsure of how to cope with it. If the child has an emotional atta...
Introduction Did you know that one in four girls and one in six boys are sexually abused before the age of 18 (“Child Sexual Abuse,” 2014)? Childhood sexual abuse is an underreported crime which leads people to believe that it is not a large problem within our country. Sex abuse can be both a traumatic and confusing experience for the children who are victimized; no matter who commits the crime. Childhood sexual abuse perpetrators can be anyone including; mothers, fathers, other relatives, babysitters, priests, educators, neighbors, or complete strangers. Although there are many controversies about child sexual abuse within a family, this paper will be looking at child sexual abuse committed by someone of no relation to the victim; and more
Sexual abuse could occur in different ways, it could be seen in the behavior of a child, for example, sleep disturbance, and overeating… It could be also felt by how the child feels towards other, how the child starts to have unusual actions towards some people, especially if there’s any kind of abuse from relatives. The symptoms can also take place as a physical signs such as bleeding in the sensitive areas in the body, unusual sexual behavior, diseases that could be transmitted through intercourse (Kairys,S. , Alexander,R. , Block,R. , Everett,D. , Hymel,C. , Johnson,C. ,1999). As we already mentioned before, child sexual abuse is strongly correlated with the anxiety and depression that every abused child pass by. Besides the depression phase, the child’s self-esteem gradually starts to be low; he/she will start to blame him/herself for the things that happened, that feeling of guilt and shame will never leave the victim.