Coming of age post 1

Charlie from The Perks of being a Wallflower by Stephen chbosky. Is a very interesting character. He has a very relatable life in some ways. Like his family problems, friends, bullies and issues all seem so real rather than carefully thought Charlies life in the perks of being a wallflower just flows nicely and carelessly.

For example when he describes his family holiday gatherings. They seem difficult and flawed meaning something always goes wrong at them and its usually the same thing every single time. But even though they aren’t perfect, they mean a lot to you because they involve your family so it makes the  moments even more special to you no matter how messed up they might be. Also relating to family Charlie cares a lot about his aunt and she taught him a lot of valuable lessons. In coming of age I think there is always one person that inspires you and you want to have qualities like theirs like Charlie loved Aunt Helen so much because she was caring, smart, determined and confident. I feel like that’s mostly what Charlie loved about his aunt, and when ive been reading so far when ever he talks about his family members he always has a more thoughtful description of Aunt Helen. I also find it interesting that even though Aunt Helen is dead Charlie is comforted by aunt Helens grave. Which is not uncommon or unheard of but I think it’s a really meaningful thing.

Charlie seems really naïve sometimes. He acts like he doesn’t know what some things are and how they happen but actually Charlie has heard and witnessed really scary things. Hes been immersed in some really big issues. For example you cant forget why he started writing the letters anyway. Because his Friend Micheal died. Suicide is a huge deal and is very serious. Also Charlie has witnessed a rape and not doing anything about it because he didn’t know what was going on. He also saw his sister being abused by her boyfriend. With all of the scary and tough things that Charlie has seen he still manages to seem so innocent and pure. I think its because of the people he hangs out with are all seniors and hes just a freshman so he is younger than the people around him. The reason why  i think that Stephen chbosky added all of these issues in the book surrounding and in someway involving Charlie was to show that when youre growing up there are alot of things going on around you. That at times may be hard to take in or realize and you may not want to but it only makes you stronger and makes you more mature and aware of the the world around you.