“The
Perks of Being a Wallflower”
Questions
for Socratic Seminar
1. The
format of The Perks of Being a Wallflower
is what allows for this story to be so accessible and relatable to all
readers. Letter writing is a
relationship between two people – there needs to be trust and there needs to be
nonjudgment. Charlie explains from the
very beginning (Page 2) “I am writing to you because she said you listen and
understand…” Charlie, like many of us, wants to be heard. He comes to us with a severed past – loss and
his perspective of hurt and personal flaw is often projected by his friends and
family. He needs a place to vent and to be honest. We are able to connect this
to #2 on the Anticipatory guide.
Charlie’s search for healing and the epistolary structure gives voice to
his vulnerability expressing his hopes and fears offers. It is a connection to a loving source – and
even though anonymous - gives Charlie a safe place to work through his issues.
Writing letters allows for a conversation.
This was how we used to keep in touch with our loved ones over distance. Many
times our words would convey the emotions of loss and time and family and the
overall disconnects we experience. In the waiting – we longed for the words and
stories of those we love and miss. When my family moved from South Africa – I
used to write letters to family. There
was a passion in both writing and receiving. It seems like a lost art – almost
poetic and sad. It is why this format draws in the reader and invites us into
conversation as opposed to talking at us or telling us this story of an unhappy
teenager. In his last letter - Charlie
concludes, “…and even though I didn’t know you, I felt like I did because you
sounded like such a good person. The
kind of person who wouldn’t mind receiving letters from a kid. The kind of person who would understand how
they were better than a diary because there is communion and a diary can be
found.” (Page 206). “The Perks of Being a
Wallflower” allows us to be able to connect to the disparities of teenage
life and the tedious tasks to navigate this terrain with love and acceptance and
hope.
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