Discuss the themes and images that your book contains. What are some of the images that are used? What do they seem to represent? Why do you think the author uses these images to convey his or her meaning? Themes and Images: Themes:
Mystery: This book leaves the readers in suspense and wondering what is to happen in the future. Ending is cut short, with no further detail as to what is to come of the characters, there is however, unknown foreshadowing.
Confusion: The reader wonders if Charlie will continue through life as he did because he is left alone without his friends, who basically molded him and kept him in that mold. However, he also always has his own air to his personality; he is still Charlie, even though things interrupt his life or change.
Undiscovered Contentiousness of Life: Charlie is happy with his new life and what he was introduced to. He is moved by Sam but realizes he is incapable of changing what once was and never will be. He also deals with his realization about his aunt. He is no longer wondrous, accepts what happened, and understands that time will have to pass before he will be able to fully recover.
Growing Up and Maturing: In this coming of age story, Charlie's experiences with adolescence, abuse, drug use, and sexuality are explored.
Teenagers Coping with Society: As a wallflower, Charlie has to deal with the drama of his first year of high school, along with other events that occur outside of school.
Love: The novel explores different types of feelings like genuine passion, brotherly love, infatuation, and inappropriate relationships.
Images:
The images used by the author are meant to convey Charlie's coming of age; they are all easily connected to Charlie breaking away from his childhood and coming into adulthood through various experiences with things like love and friendship.
Letters: Charlie writes to tell his story, so these are a symbol of Charlie's introversion; as a wallflower, Charlie does not usually participate in life, so he decides to write these letters (which are often about his friends, not himself) instead of talking to other people about his problems.
Car: The car (and Charlie learning to drive it) represent freedom; when he learns to drive, Charlie begins to break away from his family and do things that he would not usually do.
Typewriter: This represents Charlie's friendship with Sam and Patrick; the two give this to Charlie on Christmas because they care about him and know how much he loves writing.
Mixed Tapes: Charlie creates these, so they represent his creativity and thoughtfulness; Charlie makes these tapes to share with others because he really enjoys and connects to the songs.
Tunnel: This represents Charlie's final transition into adulthood and break from depression; Charlie stands on the back of Patrick and Sam's pick-up truck as they enter the dark tunnel, and he cries tears of joy as they exit the tunnel and come into the light. Charlie even explains that it was not the road into the tunnel that was extraordinary, but the adventure and life of the entire city on the other end of the tunnel.
Key Questions:
1. Why is Charlie unhappy when Sam and her boyfriend break-up?
Charlie is unhappy because he wants Sam to be happy, even if it means he cannot be with her. Charlie realizes he loves Sam, so her happiness is most important.
2. What does Charlie's teacher, Bill, tell Charlie when they meet? Why does Bill say this?
Bill said that Charlie was one of the best, most intelligent students he ever had. He calls Charlie special and says that if Charlie ever needs anything, he can ask Bill. Bill says this because he feels like no one has ever said these things to Charlie before.
3. At the end of his freshman year of high school, Charlie introduces himself to the boy whose locker is next to his locker. Why is this ironic?
This is ironic because Charlie never introduces himself to anyone. Charlie is always slightly shy, but now he has matured and come out of his shell.
4. Charlie eventually becomes aware of the fact that his Aunt Helen molested him when he was a child. Is Charlie's realization surprising to you? Why or why not?
This is a bit surprising, but at the same time, the reader knew it was odd how close the two were. Charlie's aunt had also been abused, and Charlie has always been really awkward about sex. People have the ability to block out traumatic events from their memory, so this event was plausible.
5. In his final letter, Charlie asks the reader to "please believe that things are good [..] and even when they're not, they will be soon enough." Do you think this is true?
Yes, this is true. Despite his traumatic events and awkward personality, Charlie is now taking part in life and socializing with others. He has hope.
Meeting Summary:
During this meeting, we discussed the ending of the book, and if we liked it or not. Also, we talked about some of the things that were confusing in the book. For example, the fact that he was molested by his aunt. Victoria forgot food. However, she was still a great asset to the group discussion.
Meeting Three:
Discuss the themes and images that your book contains. What are some of the images that are used? What do they seem to represent? Why do you think the author uses these images to convey his or her meaning?
Themes and Images:
Themes:
Mystery: This book leaves the readers in suspense and wondering what is to happen in the future. Ending is cut short, with no further detail as to what is to come of the characters, there is however, unknown foreshadowing.
Confusion: The reader wonders if Charlie will continue through life as he did because he is left alone without his friends, who basically molded him and kept him in that mold. However, he also always has his own air to his personality; he is still Charlie, even though things interrupt his life or change.
Undiscovered Contentiousness of Life: Charlie is happy with his new life and what he was introduced to. He is moved by Sam but realizes he is incapable of changing what once was and never will be. He also deals with his realization about his aunt. He is no longer wondrous, accepts what happened, and understands that time will have to pass before he will be able to fully recover.
Growing Up and Maturing: In this coming of age story, Charlie's experiences with adolescence, abuse, drug use, and sexuality are explored.
Teenagers Coping with Society: As a wallflower, Charlie has to deal with the drama of his first year of high school, along with other events that occur outside of school.
Love: The novel explores different types of feelings like genuine passion, brotherly love, infatuation, and inappropriate relationships.
Images:
The images used by the author are meant to convey Charlie's coming of age; they are all easily connected to Charlie breaking away from his childhood and coming into adulthood through various experiences with things like love and friendship.
Letters: Charlie writes to tell his story, so these are a symbol of Charlie's introversion; as a wallflower, Charlie does not usually participate in life, so he decides to write these letters (which are often about his friends, not himself) instead of talking to other people about his problems.
Car: The car (and Charlie learning to drive it) represent freedom; when he learns to drive, Charlie begins to break away from his family and do things that he would not usually do.
Typewriter: This represents Charlie's friendship with Sam and Patrick; the two give this to Charlie on Christmas because they care about him and know how much he loves writing.
Mixed Tapes: Charlie creates these, so they represent his creativity and thoughtfulness; Charlie makes these tapes to share with others because he really enjoys and connects to the songs.
Tunnel: This represents Charlie's final transition into adulthood and break from depression; Charlie stands on the back of Patrick and Sam's pick-up truck as they enter the dark tunnel, and he cries tears of joy as they exit the tunnel and come into the light. Charlie even explains that it was not the road into the tunnel that was extraordinary, but the adventure and life of the entire city on the other end of the tunnel.
Key Questions:
1. Why is Charlie unhappy when Sam and her boyfriend break-up?
Charlie is unhappy because he wants Sam to be happy, even if it means he cannot be with her. Charlie realizes he loves Sam, so her happiness is most important.
2. What does Charlie's teacher, Bill, tell Charlie when they meet? Why does Bill say this?
Bill said that Charlie was one of the best, most intelligent students he ever had. He calls Charlie special and says that if Charlie ever needs anything, he can ask Bill. Bill says this because he feels like no one has ever said these things to Charlie before.
3. At the end of his freshman year of high school, Charlie introduces himself to the boy whose locker is next to his locker. Why is this ironic?
This is ironic because Charlie never introduces himself to anyone. Charlie is always slightly shy, but now he has matured and come out of his shell.
4. Charlie eventually becomes aware of the fact that his Aunt Helen molested him when he was a child. Is Charlie's realization surprising to you? Why or why not?
This is a bit surprising, but at the same time, the reader knew it was odd how close the two were. Charlie's aunt had also been abused, and Charlie has always been really awkward about sex. People have the ability to block out traumatic events from their memory, so this event was plausible.
5. In his final letter, Charlie asks the reader to "please believe that things are good [..] and even when they're not, they will be soon enough." Do you think this is true?
Yes, this is true. Despite his traumatic events and awkward personality, Charlie is now taking part in life and socializing with others. He has hope.
Meeting Summary:
During this meeting, we discussed the ending of the book, and if we liked it or not. Also, we talked about some of the things that were confusing in the book. For example, the fact that he was molested by his aunt. Victoria forgot food. However, she was still a great asset to the group discussion.