How Is Charlie Presented In The Perks Of Being A Wallflower

What makes up a person? I believe people are made up of small, puzzle-like pieces. In Perks of Being a Wallflower, Charlie, who is the main character, is made up of three main puzzle pieces, awkwardness, naiveness, and unconditional love. Charlie is a very awkward person. He never knows how to stand, where to put his hands, or what to say. This alters his life throughout his younger years, as elementary children are often very judgemental. Charlie probably was bullied, because of his awkwardness. Bullying did nothing to stop his awkwardness, however, and may have even encouraged it. In the novel, Charlie is in high school, where he learns that the most important thing in life is no longer fitting in, but rather learning who you are. Throughout his freshman year of high school, Charlie does just this. He experiments with new after-school activities, makes new friends, and, most importantly learns that his awkwardness is part of who he is.

Not necessarily in a bad way, but it does change his life in two major ways. The first time his naivety alters his life is when he befriends Sam and Patrick. Many people, may have turned away from the two of them, just because of a rumor they had heard. However, Charlie found himself becoming friends with them very quickly. The second time Charlie’s naivety alters his life is when he is introduced to drugs. If offered a brownie at a party in someone’s basement, many would have the common sense to ask, “What’s in it?” Charlie, because of his naivety doesn’t do this. Thankfully for Charlie, his naivety doesn’t hurt him, but rather becomes a part of who his is that makes everyone around him thankful for his