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The Perks of The Perks of Being a Wallflower

By Emma Cooper

Published: July 31, 2014

On my very first day of high school, I was late to class, and in my rush, I tripped up the stairs as my shoes fell down the stairs. To add insult to injury, I picked myself up and turned around only to realize that an entire classroom of seniors was watching my humiliating ordeal. I flushed, picked up my shoes, and scurried off to my first class of high school five minutes late. High school is a time full of awkwardness, trials, successes, failures, and most of all, growing up. No matter the background from which someone hails, the teenage years are ones of growth and discovery. The Perks of Being a Wallflower, a film directed and screen written by Stephen Chbosky, portrays these experiences in an extremely relatable and moving manner which creates a lasting impression and perspective on the teenage experience.

Perks is adapted from Stephen Chbosky’s book, The Perks of Being a Wallflower , and was released in October 2012 with little initial success. On it’s opening weekend it only grossed approximately $228,000 (IMDb). Eventually, however, the box office did begin to pick up and the movie became fairly monetarily successful. Logan Lerman, of Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief , Emma Watson, of the Harry Potter series, and Ezra Miller all deliver stellar performances as they lead Perks ’ cast. The film, set in mid-1990’s Pittsburg, PA, portrays a timeless feel as it focuses on the narrator, Charlie, played by Lerman, as he enters his first year of high school an anxious wallflower who is struggling to find his place. However, he soon befriends the radiant and understanding Sam, portrayed by Watson, and her quirky and lively brother Patrick, portrayed by Miller. In fact, one of the best features of the movie is the spectacular acting chemistry and believability between Lerman and Watson. Additionally, Miller’s performance as the charismatic and slightly eccentric friend adds to the overall enjoyment and quality of Perks . Together, the friends open up and deal with issues such as unhealthy relationships, drugs, family pressures, bullying, and more. Almost immediately, Charlie and Sam grow very close and it becomes obvious that there is chemistry between them. As their friendship unfolds, the movie addresses a range of typical and not so typical high school dramas. Furthermore, the atypical issues that Perks deals with are what I believe make the film enthralling and different from other generic high school, coming-of-age movies.

Some critics say that Perks deals only with the same, redundant, teenage, “angsty” dramas that other high school movies commonly deal with. For example, Jordan Mintzer of the Hollywood Reporter said, “… The Perks of Being a Wallflower , a heartfelt but rather generic coming-of-age dramedy” (Mintzer). I believe, however, that his review is short sighted and that the film does, in fact, address more than just the run-of-the-mill problems. Although I cannot spoil all of these details, it becomes very obvious in certain scenes that Charlie is dealing with more than the average high schooler. This can be seen in the consistent references to his Aunt Helen’s death. While it is normal for one to be troubled by a death in the family, the number of times and situations in which Aunt Helen’s death is brought up gives a hint that there is more to Charlie’s issues than meets the eye. For example, any time that Charlie gets very stressed, Aunt Helen is mentioned. In fact, she is brought up enough that she eventually becomes a major character. While, one is not initially sure why so much attention is paid to Aunt Helen, it is obvious that the movie is dealing with more than just generic high school problems.

Another factor that makes Perks a good movie is the quality acting and the resultant depth of the characters. Some critics, such as Richard Corliss, bash the movie for casting adult actors: “Oh to be 20 again, and in high school! That’s the implicit theme of The Perks of Being a Wallflower … and of the many other rite-of-passage movies that cast actors in their early twenties to play kids four to six years younger” (Corliss). While it is true that Perks ’ actors were, in fact, in their early twenties, they all look and act convincingly like students in high school. Furthermore, Corliss’ criticism is invalidated by the quality of the acting portrayed consistently throughout the film. Lerman does a fantastic job of playing the anti-social wallflower, Charlie, and Watson is the perfect depiction of the confident and upbeat Sam. Together, their chemistry reels the viewer in to experience every emotional moment. In one of the best scenes exemplifying their stellar acting, Sam kisses Charlie for the first time. Charlie’s stuttering, hesitation, and even body language contradict but also mesh perfectly with Sam’s deliberate and reassuring actions in order to create an extremely believable first kiss sequence. Lerman and Watson play their leading roles in such a perfect manner that anyone can believe they are in high school. Additionally, everyone can relate to them and their experiences no matter what one's personal background may be.

One scene that shows the overall excellence of Perks is the final tunnel scene. In this sequence, the trio of friends drives through a tunnel and stands up while listening to “the song,” an experience which has played a major role in their friendship. Many critics did actually praise this scene for its effectiveness, and I agree whole-heartedly with them. As critic Ian Buckwalter, said, “The film is filled with moments like [the tunnel scene], where the director triggers genuine sentimentality and waves of nostalgia through interaction between sound and image” (Buckwalter). Charlie narrates the scene, as he does many other scenes, as if he were writing a letter to the audience. The reoccurring narration allows an element of insightfulness and depth that many other coming-of-age movies lack. In addition, the background music behind the narration is a light twinkling variation of bell sounds that compliments the narration perfectly. At the end of the narration, Charlie’s voice cuts out and David Bowie’s song, “Heroes,” swells to the front just as the trio exits the tunnel. This combination of music emotes a feeling of inspiration, bravery, and hope. The tunnel scene is just one example of the film's fantastic soundtrack and audio mixing, which is consistently effective throughout the entire film. Even further, the cinematography and camera angles used in the tunnel sequence focus heavily on the faces of the characters with bright bulbs of light all around them. These two images, when put together, create in the viewer's mind the image of hope and the idea of heading towards the light at the end of the actual and figurative tunnel. Together, the narration, background music, and cinematography create a scene that sends chills across one’s skin every single time. The tunnel scene, and the entire film, effectively uses film techniques and ethos in order to appeal to the audience’s emotions and cause them to feel as if they are in the movie, in the situations, and personally connected with the characters and their teenage experience.

Finally, I strongly recommend The Perks of Being a Wallflower to anyone because I believe it is well produced, superbly acted, effectively uses film techniques and ethos, and is a relatable story which strongly conveys the fact that many issues which may seem tragic oftentimes actually help one grow and mature. I especially recommend the film to its target audience of teenagers, as the lesson about life’s issues is one that every high schooler needs to understand. Perks is a timeless and relatable movie which I have already seen twice and would gladly see again.

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Works Cited

Buckwalter, Ian. "How 'Perks of Being a Wallflower' Breaks an Old Filmmaking Curse." The Atlantic . N.p., 12 Sept. 2012. Web.

Corliss, Richard. "The Perks of Being a Wallflower: A Teen Angel’s Dreamy Angst." Entertainment . N.p., 13 Sept. 2012. Web.

IMDb. IMDb.com , n.d. Web.

Mintzer, Jordan. "The Perks of Being a Wallflower: Toronto Review - The Hollywood Reporter." The Hollywood Reporter . N.p., 07 Sept. 2012. Web.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower . Stephen Chbosky. Summit Entertainment, 2012. Film.

• Where and how does the author of the piece engage with counterarguments? Do you think that the author’s interaction with these critics is ethical? Why or why not? Give at least one example.
• One of the challenges and opportunities of discussing films is that films often incorporate different media (sound, still images, moving images, lighting, text), all of which contribute to the rhetoric of the piece. What specific multimedia aspects of the film does Cooper mention that strengthen the claim of her review?
• The second paragraph of the essay offers background information for the film and a summary of the plot without spoilers for the reader who has not seen this film. What kind of information does Cooper interweave in the review that seems to be important for readers to determine whether they should watch the film? How does Cooper summarize the plot, giving specific details, without giving away the end?

Emma Cooper

Emma Cooper is a biology major and international development studies minor from Wichita, Kansas. On campus, she calls Lewis Hall her home and is passionate about working with GlobeMed and Best Buddies. In the future, she hopes to attend medical school and become a pediatric neurologist. Her piece, "The Perks of The Perks of Being a Wallflower ," is a movie review and analysis of Steven Chobsoky’s movie, The Perks of Being a Wallflower . Inspiration for this piece came from the viewing of the movie and the strong impact that it had on Emma. She would like to thank her Writing and Rhetoric instructor, professor Deborah Forteza, for all of her help with this piece and for improving her writing ability.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower

106 pages • 3 hours read

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1, Chapters 1-5

Part 1, Chapters 6-10

Part 2, Chapters 11-20

Part 2, Chapters 21-25

Part 3, Chapters 26-37

Part 4, Chapters 38-51 and Epilogue

Character Analysis

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Discussion Questions

Explain the relevance of the title in relation to Charlie’s character. What is a “wallflower”? And what does Charlie gain by being one?

Abuse, both sexual and physical, plays a large role throughout the novel. How does the abuse that Charlie experiences and witnesses directly influence his character? And how does secrecy play a role in these abuses?

In Chapter 39, Charlie mentions feeling nostalgic for “bad things”(139). How does he define nostalgia? And how does this relate to his aunt Helen?

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The Perks of Being a Wallflower

By stephen chbosky, the perks of being a wallflower essay questions.

What does Bill mean by "We accept the love we think we deserve," and how does Charlie apply this quotation to his own life?

The answer to this question should address the context within which Bill offers this idea to Charlie - the moment when Charlie's sister is hit by her boyfriend. However, an effective answer should also focus on Bill's concern over Charlie's observational tendencies. Charlie is constantly thinking about how other people experience love, and Bill tries to provide a framework that will help Charlie to work through his own relationships. Charlie uses this quote to talk to his sister and also to handle his erotic and romantic feelings for Sam.

Who is the "friend" to whom Charlie is writing, and what is the overall effect of the phrase "Dear friend," as used in Charlie's letters?

The "friend" in Charlie's letters goes unnamed throughout the novel. Because of the "friend's" anonymity, the reader of the novel can feel an intimacy with Charlie. By the end of the novel, the reader feels as though Charlie has been writing to him or her in all of the letters.

How is Charlie a "wallflower," and how does this idea relate to the title of the novel?

Patrick calls Charlie a wallflower at Bob's Homecoming party and says, "You see things. You keep quiet about them. And you understand." Previously, Charlie's observational tendencies had been framed in a negative light, but now Charlie has found a group in which these traits are seen as positive attributes. Charlie is becoming more comfortable in his own skin and with his past experiences, and he is finally discovering "the perks of being a wallflower."

What is the role of sexuality in the novel, and what forms does sexuality take for the characters?

Sexuality plays a major role in the novel and takes many forms: LGBTQ identities, sexual abuse, and sexual desire. To take one major example, Patrick's experience concealing his sexual relationship with Brad is one of the breakthrough literary portrayals of LGBTQ youth. Sexual abuse also lurks behind many of the major characters: Aunt Helen, Sam, and Charlie were all sexually abused as children. Lastly, the novel deals with Charlie's sexual awakening, which is in important ways a result of his relationship with Sam, though he also has a sexual relationship with Mary Elizabeth.

How does Charlie develop through the novel and become more comfortable with his identity?

This essay should address the reason why Charlie began writing the letters in the first place - he was about to start high school. As he fosters both a personal and literary relationship with Bill, Charlie begins to think about his feelings in a more productive manner. Likewise, friendships with Sam, Patrick, and their larger group of friends help Charlie to see the positive aspects of his personality, and he begins to acknowledge the value he brings to society.

What is the significance of Charlie's decision not to provide the names of his family members?

While Charlie claims that he does not provide his family members' names in order to preserve his anonymity, there is significance in the fact that he provides the names of all of his friends. Charlie's identity could be easily determined from the information he provides about these acquaintances. This essay could talk about the significance of naming Charlie's friends, and could also explain how this writing strategy reflects the priority that they have in his life - a priority that, arguably, causes them to trump Charlie's own family.

In light of the specifics of Charlie's life, how can readers relate to his high school experiences?

This essay should touch on the fact that The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a coming of age story that describes a difficult time for many people: high school. However, people of all ages have struggled with fitting in and finding positions in society, two issues that Charlie is constantly writing about and reflecting on in his letters. Additionally, the story's coverage of drug use, or of experimentation more broadly, touches on issues that many people have explored in their own lives (whether directly or indirectly). Finally, it is hard not to relate to Charlie at the end of the novel, since the letters here are so intimate and leave the distinct impression that Charlie, seeking sympathy, is writing directly to the reader.

What is the role of secrecy in Charlie's life?

This essay should address the secrets that Charlie keeps for other people: Patrick's homosexual relationship, his father's crying, his sister's abortion, his sister's abusive relationship, and own his childhood sexual abuse. In some cases, secrets bring Charlie closer to other people; this is very much the case when he drives his sister to the abortion clinic and when he keeps Patrick's relationship a secret. In other cases, the secrets tear him down - for instance, when he conceals his own sexual abuse. An effective answer should compare and contrast the different ways that the secrets operate in Charlie's life, with both positive and negative results.

How does Charlie's writing style change depending on his mental state?

When Charlie is excited, his writing becomes sporadic and frequently takes off on tangents. He assumes a similarly choppy yet more panicky style when sadness begins to creep into his mind. When his actions are frenetic, so is his writing: he moves from one activity to another just as his writing jumps from one idea to another in surges of emotion. In contrast, when Charlie is happy and stable, his writing reflects such a state of mind and progresses in a much slower, much more logical manner.

What exactly are the perks of being a wallflower?

The answer to this question should delve into Charlie's life when he focuses on observation as contrasted to his life when he focuses on participation. An effective essay could discuss the moment when Patrick first calls Charlie a "wallflower" and Charlie's response to the label. In addition, the writer could offer some personal commentary on the perks of being a wallflower - perhaps by drawing on personal experience, or by explaining how Chbosky's novel relates to the contemporary high school scene.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

why do sam and craig break up

d. He's been cheating on her

Where in the story does Charlie meet people with difficult personal issues like cheating, abortion, and drug use?

February 15, 1992

That’s when she told me she was pregnant.

I would tell you about the rest of the night, but I honestly don’t remember much about it. It’s all a very sad daze. I do know that her boyfriend said it wasn’t his baby, but...

1. What do we learn about how Aunt Helen was? What happened to her when she was younger? Also, how did this affect her as she got older?

Aunt Helen was molested by a family friend, and she went into a downward spiral with drinking and drugs. You need to ask your question one at a time. Thanks.

Study Guide for The Perks of Being a Wallflower

The Perks of Being a Wallflower study guide contains a biography of Stephen Chbosky, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

• About The Perks of Being a Wallflower
• The Perks of Being a Wallflower Summary
• Character List

Essays for The Perks of Being a Wallflower

The Perks of Being a Wallflower essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky.

• Coming of Age in The Perks of Being a Wallflower
• Content with the Mediocre: The Underside of Acceptance in Chbosky's Novel
• Tragedy and Toxicity in Kitchen and The Perks of Being a Wallflower

Lesson Plan for The Perks of Being a Wallflower

• About the Author
• Study Objectives
• Common Core Standards
• Introduction to The Perks of Being a Wallflower
• Relationship to Other Books
• Bringing in Technology
• Notes to the Teacher
• Related Links
• The Perks of Being a Wallflower Bibliography

Wikipedia Entries for The Perks of Being a Wallflower

• Introduction

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The Perks of Being a Wallflower - 20th Anniversary

So Perks has been my favorite book for a few years now. I actually have the quote “life doesn’t stop for anybody” tattooed on me. But I just read the 20th anniversary edition with a new letter from Charlie at the end and I’m pretty disappointed.

It’s not at all what expected. I was expecting an actual update on Charlie and his life, and I hoped to hear about Sam and Patrick, possibly even Mary Elizabeth or Bob. But instead I got what sounded like a scrapped speech from a shitty motivational speaker. I understand the importance of Charlie’s new letter, and why Stephen Chbosky included it in the book. But I feel so let down. Reading it was painful, dare I say. The whole letter was “I had a hard time and if you’re having a hard time, other people can relate. So go kiss that girl and write that book and listen to that song because you won today! So get out there and keep on winning!”

Who else has read this new letter? And what did you think? Am I being too harsh or do other people think it’s as bad as I do?

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