The Perks of Coming of Age
Similar to many other coming-of-age narratives, in The Perks of Being a Wallflower , Charlie struggles to conform with his peers. In the opening scenes, we learn that Charlie often writes to a nameless Friend, including on his first day of high school when he’s ultimately unsuccessful at making any in the flesh. In his letters, Charlie constantly talks about the other kids at school, clinging onto any seedling of connection he has to their lives; in the cafeteria, he talks about a girl who he knew in middle school and a boy that played football with his older brother. Despite being the central protagonist of the movie, Charlie’s words bring everyone’s existences to life but his own. Charlie is eventually drawn to Patrick, a carefree and outspoken senior in his woodworking class-- in other words, the polar opposite of his own self. Patrick introduces Charlie to the rest of his friend group including Sam, his equally easy going stepsister (who Charlie develops a crush on), and Mary Eliza...