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it directly represents adolescence- the transition from the safe protection of family and childhood into the excitement of adulthood.

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They symbolize the unifying power of stories. Although they live through different experiences, sharing books helps characters build overlapping frames of reference so that they can better understand and communicate with the other.

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Music influences the characters in this book. Sharing songs and the experience of enjoying music together creates a sense of understanding between the listeners. Mixtapes represent the desire to share the universal experience of being human with others.

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Author: Stephen Chbosky

Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Coming-of-Age, Epistolary

Publication Year: 1999

Form: Novel told in epistolary format

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Charlie is emotional and introspective.

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A metaphor. Charlie believes that living your life through a camera lens is bad because it creates distance between you and real experiences. Instead of fully participating in the moment, you're just observing it or trying to capture it for later.

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Charlie's tone is informal, emotional, and frequently uncertain. Chbosky wanted to reflect events in a person's life.

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The novel is written in epistolary format.

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The Perks of Being a Wallflower follows the story of Charlie and his first year of high school. His story is told through letters to an anonymous friend, exploring his experiences with friendship, hardships, love, trauma and personal growth. He's a "wallflower" but throughout the story he learns to participate.

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Charlie uses the word infinite to describe his sense of fulfillment he feels with Patrick and Sam. Everything felt right and he feels free of doubt and limits.

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Because of his trauma, Charlie can not live his life to the fullest.

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Patrick calls Charlie a wallflower. A wallflower is someone who is rejected, always standing in a corner, shy, unnoticed while being observant of what happens in his surroundings.

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Charlie matures emotionally and begins to understand who he is and what he wants from life.

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The story talks about depression, PTSD, and healing from past abuse.

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Charlie's relationships with Sam, Patrick and others help him feel accepted.

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A key lesson is learning to live in the moment and participating rather that simply observing or escaping

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Charlie struggles with understanding his identity but slowly learns to accept himself