"The Perks of Being a Wallflower" by Stephen Chbosky Free Essay Example

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The Perks of Being a Wallflower has appeared six times on the American Library Association's list of 10 most-frequently-challenged books for its content. A Wisconsin school board refused to ban the book, angering local parents. The Glen Ellyn District 41 school board in suburban Chicago unanimously voted to reinstate the novel after it was removed from eighth-grade classrooms at Hadley Junior High School because of a parent's objection to its sexual content. Groups like PABBIS work to restrict literature considered "controversial" from being accessed by younger children. The group believes these "bad books" should be moved to the adult section.

Chbosky took five years to develop and publish The Perks of Being a Wallflower, creating the characters and other aspects of the story from his own memories. The novel addresses themes permeating adolescence, including sexuality, drug use, rape, and mental health, while also making several references to other literary works, films, and pop culture in general. Because of the mentioned themes, it was banned in some American schools for its content.

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Similar to his own experience, Charlie witnesses his sister's boyfriend hit her across the face, but she forbids him from telling their parents. He eventually mentions the occurrence to Bill, who tells Charlie's parents about it. Charlie's relationship with his sister rapidly deteriorates and she continues to see her boyfriend against her parents' wishes.

However, when Brad derogatorily attacks Patrick's sexuality in public, Patrick physically attacks Brad until other football players join in and gang up on Patrick. Charlie joins in the fight to defend Patrick, and breaks it up, regaining the respect of Sam and her friends. Patrick begins spending most of his time with Charlie, and Patrick kisses Charlie impulsively but then apologizes. Charlie is sympathetic because he understands that Patrick is still recovering from his romance with Brad. Soon Patrick sees Brad engaging with a stranger in the park and Patrick is able to move on from the relationship.

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The story began when Chbosky was in school, evolving from another book on which he was working. He rewrote it into two more drafts, concluding the published version in the summer of 1998. As the school year ends, Charlie is anxious about losing his older friends—especially Sam, who is leaving for a summer college-preparatory program and has learned that her boyfriend cheated on her. When Charlie helps her pack, they talk about his feelings for her; she is angry that he never acted on them. They begin to engage sexually, but Charlie suddenly grows inexplicably uncomfortable and stops Sam. Charlie begins to realize that his sexual contact with Sam has stirred up repressed memories of him being molested by his Aunt Helen as a little boy.

If Charlie cannot be as energetic, he still tries to maintain fairness in the world around him. One of his core values is kindness, which is why he is one of those who can change the world for the better. Another book the author makes references to is On the Road by Kerouac. Indeed, the main character has a certain dreaminess and interest in the world and the heroes of On the Road.

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Eventually, he discovers that his sister is pregnant and agrees to bring her to an abortion clinic without telling anyone. His sister breaks up with her boyfriend, after which her relationship with Charlie begins to improve significantly. "“The Perks of Being a Wallflower” by Stephen Chbosky." StudyCorgi, 19 Dec. 2022, studycorgi.com/the-perks-of-being-a-wallflower-by-stephen-chbosky/. The film premiered on September 8, 2012 at the Toronto International Film Festival, and was released theatrically in the United States by Summit Entertainment on September 21.

Parents have raised issues with the novel for its "pornographic" content and "vulgarity," but others have argued that the book deals with real and common teen issues concerned with growing up, so it presents a truthful viewpoint. Issues are also raised surrounding the book's themes of homosexuality, as well as a "glorification" of the use of drugs and alcohol. In an interview, Chbosky said that he knew of two school boards which have banned the book . Since he "didn't write it to be a controversial book," he was "surprised" by the bans. Chbosky incorporated both fictional ideas and personal experiences to the novel, making it semi-autobiographical.

Charlie shows signs of PTSD from the incident and the revelation of his abuse helps the reader understand his views of relationships and love. Charlie is accepted by Sam and Patrick's group of friends and begins experimenting with tobacco, alcohol and other drugs. He cannot control his flashbacks of Aunt Helen, who died in a car crash on her way to buy him a birthday gift.

The idea of anonymous letters came from a real experience; during his senior year in high school, Chbosky wrote an anonymous letter to Stewart Stern about how Rebel Without a Cause had influenced him. By using a series of letters from Charlie to an anonymous character, Chbosky found "the most intimate way" to talk directly to the reader. He thought the letters would help him keep the story cohesive, "to convey the highs and lows of being young—one day, you're on top of the world and you've had the greatest of times. Then, three weeks later, you’re terribly depressed". Send me exclusive offers, unique gift ideas, and personalized tips for shopping and selling on Etsy. Another important work that influenced Charlie is To Kill a Mockingbird.

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At a Rocky Horror Picture Show performance, Charlie is asked to fill in as Rocky for Sam's boyfriend Craig, who was unable to attend the show that night. Their friend Mary Elizabeth is impressed and asks Charlie to the Sadie Hawkins dance and they enter into a desultory relationship. The relationship ends, however, during a game of truth or dare when Charlie is dared to kiss the prettiest girl in the room. He kisses Sam, and Mary Elizabeth storms out of the room in response. Following this, Patrick suggests that Charlie stay away from Sam for a while, and the rest of his friendship group shuns him. Without friends to distract Charlie from his thoughts and struggles, his flashbacks of Aunt Helen return.

According to Metacritic it has received "generally favorable reviews", with an average of 67 out of 100 based on 36 reviews. The film grossed over $33 million worldwide from a $13 million production budget. Critics have identified primary themes of teenage reality and nostalgia. In an epilogue, Charlie is discovered by his parents in a catatonic state and does not show any movement despite being hit reluctantly by his father.