Theme Of Friendship In Perks Of Being A Wallflower

“It would be very nice to have a friend again. I would like that even more than a date,” (21) Charlie remarks when he feels lonely. In the novel, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky, the author uses the theme of friendship to help Charlie overcome obstacles. The novel is about a friendless boy named Charlie who struggles with some demons from his past. Charlie finds a group of friends, sort of misfits like himself, who take him under their wings and introduce him to experiences that are common in teens, including parties, drugs, and sex. His new group of friends gives Charlie something precious that he has never had before, a sense of belonging. After Michael 's death, Charlie is eagerly craving any sort of social interaction.

As they drive through the tunnel, Charlie begins living in the moment and soaking up what the present has to offer. Many times throughout his letters, Charlie describes the situations of other people and tries to sink deeper into the causes of their actions, but this drive marks the first time Charlie focuses on himself, his friendship and on how he is feeling infinite in that moment. He feels as if he and his friends can do anything or feel anything. He believes that happiness is not out of reach. The tunnel signifies hardships that Charlie has faced, but the light at the end of the tunnel signifies how he overcomes those obstacles. In the end he emerges with two friends that understand him more than his family ever

The time we were walking. Just the three of us. And I was in the middle. I don 't remember where we were walking to or where we were walking from. I don 't even remember the season. I just remember walking between them and feeling for the first time that I belonged somewhere" (198). Charlie keeps seeking friendship, and once he becomes friends with Patrick and Sam, he finally feels as if he belongs. The quote refers to the power of Charlie 's friends in his life. Charlie was always lonely, but finds a group of friends who love and care for him. It does not take much for Charlie to feel happiness when he is with them. “I don 't know how much longer I can keep going without a friend. I used to be able to do it very easily, but that was before I knew what having a friend was like” (144). When dared to kiss the most beautiful girl in the room, Charlie goes and kisses Sam. During that incident Charlie is dating Mary Elizabeth. Mary and the rest of the group become furious with Charlie and tell him to stay away. Without friends, Charlie’s life begins to crumble. He starts to feel lonely again. When Charlie stands up for Patrick during a fight, he proves himself worthy of their friendship and they all become friends again.

“Sam and Patrick looked at me. And I looked at them. And I think they knew. Not anything specific really. They just knew. And I think that 's all you can ever ask from a friend” (66). Charlie