The Appeal of Perks


“I can see it, this one moment when you know you’re not a sad story. You are alive and you stand up and see the lights on the buildings and everything that makes you wonder. And you’re listening to that song on that drive with the people you love most in this world, and in this moment, I swear, we are infinite” (Perks of Being a Wallflower). These are the words of Charlie, the protagonist of Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky. In the eyes of many teenagers today and since the novel became a popular phenomenon; Charlie can be viewed by many as a voice of their generation. Set in the 1990s in a Pittsburgh suburb, one may think that the story and mind-set of Charlie as a character can be outdated; however his many hardships, struggles, and curiosity can resonate on a personal level with any reader. Although he has some emotional and psychological issues resulting from a traumatic past, Charlie personifies the confused, insecure, and adolescent struggle inside of every high school student.

As an awkward and introverted freshman just starting high school, Charlie begins to write letters to a mystery friend to express his inner most thoughts and feelings. You soon learn of his troubled past, with his friend Michael committing suicide, and the tragic death of his Aunt Helen. While underratedly brilliant in his own mind, he finds it difficult to interact in social situations and does not have many friends, until he meets Sam and Patrick, two seniors. Seen as outcasts themselves, Sam and Patrick take Charlie under their wing and he finds himself in a tight knit circle of “wallflowers”. Separating themselves from the mainstream ideals of other teenagers, Charlie’s new friends are unique, creative, and rebellious towards society. As he becomes closer to his new friends, Charlie begins to experiment with girls, drugs, and alcohol. As he faces new experiences, he still struggles with his inner emotions and the guilt of his Aunt’s death.

As the reader follows Charlie on his journey through his letters, they cannot help but feel close to him as well as relate to him on many different levels. Even if the reader has never lost a loved one, or does not have any psychological problems, anyone reading Perks can associate with the struggles that Charlie faces through his high school experience and his introduction to illegal substances. Charlie’s innocent curiosity of his new friend’s party lifestyle leads him into drinking and taking some drugs such as LSD. While not everyone in their high school years necessarily partake in the use of these substances, all are familiar with the knowledge and peer pressure of them being used. Charlie also deals with the death of his Aunt Helen and does not really share his emotions on the topic with anybody else. Many young kids can relate to Charlie’s emotional struggle with any aspect of their own life whether it be a death, body issues, or social anxiety. When one follows Charlie along his journey through his freshman year, they can feel that they are not alone in their own issues and that they do matter. While a quiet and understated voice, Charlie exemplifies a common American high school experience that readers can identify with. His youth struggle as he begins his journey into maturity is a common, yet classic theme that keeps readers entertained for generations and creates a deeper connection to his audience. While Stephen Chbosky may not have known it at the time of writing his novel, Charlie has become a friend for one to turn to when they feel alone, or even nostalgic.

Works Cited
Perks of Being a Wallflower. Dir. Stephen Chbosky. Summit Entertainment,

2012. Film.