ABSTRACT
Sari, Kurnianingtyas Dita Purwita. (2016). The True Meaning of Wallflower as seen in Charlie in Chbosky’s The Perks of Being a Wallflower. English Language Education Study Program, Department of Language and Arts Education, Faculty of Teachers Training and Education, Yogyakarta: Sanata Dharma University.
This study analyzes The Perks of Being a Wallflower, a novel written by Stephen Cbhosky. The novel tells about Charlie, a fifteen-year old boy, who is mentioned as a wallflower. Charlie struggles to fit in with the other people because of his traumatic past. He prefers observing people to participating with them. During his freshman year in high school, he meets Sam and Patrick who become his best friends. With the help of Sam, Patrick and his English teacher, Bill, Charlie’s past starts to be revealed and forces Charlie to deal with it.
The aim of this study is to find the true meaning of wallflower as seen in Charlie. To achieve the aim of the study, this study has two formulated problem. The first is to analyze how Charlie is described in the novel. The second is to find the true meaning of wallflower as seen in Charlie.
In this study, there are two sources used; they are primary and secondary sources. The primary source is the novel entitled The Perks of Being a Wallflower. The secondary sources are related theories that are presented in several printed books, electronic journals and internet sources. The theories used in this study are theories of character, characterization, personality, motivation and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. The approach used in this study is psychological approach.
Based on the analysis, the result of the study shows that Charlie is an honest, thoughtful, intelligent, extrovert and emotionally unstable person. When Charlie is in a middle school, he loses his best friend, Michael who commits suicide. Charlie also becomes the victim of molestation from her beloved Aunt. His aunt, however, later dies in a car accident. His dark past makes Charlie suffer from traumatic experience. He prefers to shut himself and observe people instead of participating. Charlie is trapped in his childish state and confused of himself. He does not know where he stands. Charlie as a wallflower is someone who needs encouragement to understand himself. He receives encouragement through his interaction with Sam, Patrick and Bill. It is suggested for the future researcher to analyze on Charlie’s motivation to adapt himself to the social environment. Therefore, it can be understood deeper how Charlie behave toward his environment.
ABSTRAK
Sari, Kurnianingtyas Dita Purwita. (2016). The True Meaning of Wallflower as seen in Charlie in Chbosky’s The Perks of Being a Wallflower. Program Studi Pendidikan Bahasa Inggris, JPBS, FKIP, Yogyakarta: Universitas Sanata Dharma.
Penelitian ini menganalisis sebuah novel berjudul The Perks of Being a Wallflower yang ditulis oleh Stephen Cbhosky. Novel ini bercerita tentang Charlie, seorang anak berusia lima belas tahun, yang disebutkan sebagai seorang wallflower. Charlie mengalami kesulitan bergaul dengan orang lain karena trauma akan masa lalunya. Dia memilih untuk mengamati orang-orang daripada berpartisipasi dengan mereka. Pada tahun pertamanya di SMA, ia bertemu dengan Sam dan Patrick yang kemudian menjadi teman dekatnya. Dengan bantuan Sam, Patrick dan guru bahasa Inggrisnya, Bill, masa Charlie mulai menyadari akan masa lalunya dan mengharuskannya untuk menghadapinya.
Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah menemukan arti sesungguhnya dari wallflower seperti yang terlihat pada Charlie. Untuk mencapai tujuan penelitian tersebut, dirumuskan dua rumusan masalah. Yang pertama adalah bagaimana karakter Charlie digambarkan dalam novel. Yang kedua adalah apa arti sesungguhnya dari wallflower.
Dalam penelitian ini, ada dua sumber yang digunakan yaitu sumber utama dan sumber kedua. Sumber utama adalah novel berjudul The Perks of Being a Wallflower. Sumber sekunder merupakan teori-teori yang berkaitan dengan studi yang terdapat pada buku-buku cetak, jurnal elektronik dan sumber dari internet. Ada beberapa teori yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini seperti teori karakter, teori karakterisasi, teori kepribadian, teori motivasi dan teori Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Pendekatan yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah pendekatan psikologis.
Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa Charlie adalah seseorang yang mempunyai sifat jujur, bijaksana, cerdas, ekstrovert dan memiliki emosional yang tidak stabil. Sewaktu Charlie duduk di bangku sekolah menengah, sahabatnya, Michael, melakukan bunuh diri. Charlie juga menjadi korban asusila dari Bibi kesayangannya yang juga kemudian meninggal dalam kecelakaan mobil. Kejadian-kejadian tersebut membuat Charlie trauma. Charlie terperangkap dalam kondisi kekanak-kanakan dan ia tidak mengerti dirinya sendiri. Charlie sebagai wallflower adalah seseorang yang membutuhkan dorongan yang kemudian mendapat dorongan dari Sam, Patrick dan Bill. Untuk para peneliti selanjutnya, peneliti menyarankan untuk menganalisis motivasi Charlie untuk menyesuaikan diri dengan keadaan sekitarnya. Dengan demikian, bagaimana Charlie berperilaku terhadap keadaannya sekitarnya dapat dimengerti lebih lagi.
THE TRUE MEANING OF WALLFLOWER
AS SEEN IN CHARLIE
IN CHBOSKY’S
THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER
A SARJANA PENDIDIKAN THESIS
Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Require ments to Obtain the Sarjana Pendidikan Degree
in English Language Education
By
Kurnianingtyas Dita Purwita Sari Student Number: 121214089
ENGLISH LANGUAGE EDUCATION STUDY PROGRAM ME DEPARTMENT OF LANGUAGE AND ARTS EDUCATION FACULTY OF TEACHERS TRAINING AND EDUCATION
SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY YOGYAKARTA
i
THE TRUE MEANING OF WALLFLOWER
AS SEEN IN CHARLIE
IN CHBOSKY’S
THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER
A SARJANA PENDIDIKAN THESIS
Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Require ments to Obtain the Sarjana Pendidikan Degree
in English Language Education
By
Kurnianingtyas Dita Purwita Sari Student Number: 121214089
ENGLISH LANGUAGE EDUCATION STUDY PROGRAM ME DEPARTMENT OF LANGUAGE AND ARTS EDUCATION FACULTY OF TEACHERS TRAINING AND EDUCATION
SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY YOGYAKARTA
iv
DEDICATION PAGE
This thesis is dedicated to:
My greatest savior, Jesus Christ
My father, Bapak Oscar Purwanta
My mother, Ibu Tursilawati Utaminingtyastuti
My beloved sister, Mbak Andam Dewi
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord,
thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
vii ABSTRACT
Sari, Kurnianingtyas Dita Purwita. (2016). The True Meaning of Wallflower as seen in Charlie in Chbosky’s The Perks of Being a Wallflower. English Language Education Study Program, Department of Language and Arts Education, Faculty of Teachers Training and Education, Yogyakarta: Sanata Dharma University.
This study analyzes The Perks of Being a Wallflower, a novel written by Stephen Cbhosky. The novel tells about Charlie, a fifteen-year old boy, who is mentioned as a wallflower. Charlie struggles to fit in with the other people because of his traumatic past. He prefers observing people to participating with them. During his freshman year in high school, he meets Sam and Patrick who become his best friends. With the help of Sam, Patrick and his English teacher, Bill, Charlie’s past starts to be revealed and forces Charlie to deal with it.
The aim of this study is to find the true meaning of wallflower as seen in Charlie. To achieve the aim of the study, this study has two formulated problem. The first is to analyze how Charlie is described in the novel. The second is to find the true meaning of wallflower as seen in Charlie.
In this study, there are two sources used; they are primary and secondary sources. The primary source is the novel entitled The Perks of Being a Wallflower. The secondary sources are related theories that are presented in several printed books, electronic journals and internet sources. The theories used in this study are theories of character, characterization, personality, motivation and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. The approach used in this study is psychological approach.
Based on the analysis, the result of the study shows that Charlie is an honest, thoughtful, intelligent, extrovert and emotionally unstable person. When Charlie is in a middle school, he loses his best friend, Michael who commits suicide. Charlie also becomes the victim of molestation from her beloved Aunt. His aunt, however, later dies in a car accident. His dark past makes Charlie suffer from traumatic experience. He prefers to shut himself and observe people instead of participating. Charlie is trapped in his childish state and confused of himself. He does not know where he stands. Charlie as a wallflower is someone who needs encouragement to understand himself. He receives encouragement through his interaction with Sam, Patrick and Bill. It is suggested for the future researcher to analyze on Charlie’s motivation to adapt himself to the social environment. Therefore, it can be understood deeper how Charlie behave toward his environment.
viii ABSTRAK
Sari, Kurnianingtyas Dita P urwita. (2016). The True Meaning of Wallflower as seen in Charlie in Chbosky’s The Perks of Being a Wallflower. Program Studi Pendidikan Bahasa Inggris, JPBS, FKIP, Yogyakarta: Universitas Sanata Dharma.
Penelitian ini menganalisis sebuah novel berjudul The Perks of Being a Wallflower yang ditulis oleh Stephen Cbhosky. Novel ini bercerita tentang Charlie, seorang anak berusia lima belas tahun, yang disebutkan sebagai seorang wallflower. Charlie mengalami kesulitan bergaul dengan orang lain karena trauma akan masa lalunya. Dia memilih untuk mengamati orang-orang daripada berpartisipasi dengan mereka. Pada tahun pertamanya di SMA, ia bertemu dengan Sam dan Patrick yang kemudian menjadi teman dekatnya. Dengan bantuan Sam, Patrick dan guru bahasa Inggrisnya, Bill, masa Charlie mulai menyadari akan masa lalunya dan mengharuskannya untuk menghadapinya.
Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah menemukan arti sesungguhnya dari wallflower seperti yang terlihat pada Charlie. Untuk mencapai tujuan penelitian tersebut, dirumuskan dua rumusan masalah. Yang pertama adalah bagaimana karakter Charlie digambarkan dalam novel. Yang kedua adalah apa arti sesungguhnya dari wallflower.
Dalam penelitian ini, ada dua sumber yang digunakan yaitu sumber utama dan sumber kedua. Sumber utama adalah novel berjudul The Perks of Being a Wallflower. Sumber sekunder merupakan teori-teori yang berkaitan dengan studi yang terdapat pada buku-buku cetak, jurnal elektronik dan sumber dari internet. Ada beberapa teori yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini seperti teori karakter, teori karakterisasi, teori kepribadian, teori motivasi dan teori Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Pendekatan yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah pendekatan psikologis.
Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa Charlie adalah seseorang yang mempunyai sifat jujur, bijaksana, cerdas, ekstrovert dan memiliki emosional yang tidak stabil. Sewaktu Charlie duduk di bangku sekolah menengah, sahabatnya, Michael, melakukan bunuh diri. Charlie juga menjadi korban asusila dari Bibi kesayangannya yang juga kemudian meninggal dalam kecelakaan mobil. Kejadian-kejadian tersebut membuat Charlie trauma. Charlie terperangkap dalam kondisi kekanak-kanakan dan ia tidak mengerti dirinya sendiri. Charlie sebagai wallflower adalah seseorang yang membutuhkan dorongan yang kemudian mendapat dorongan dari Sam, Patrick dan Bill. Untuk para peneliti selanjutnya, peneliti menyarankan untuk menganalisis motivasi Charlie untuk menyesuaikan diri dengan keadaan sekitarnya. Dengan demikian, bagaimana Charlie berperilaku terhadap keadaannya sekitarnya dapat dimengerti lebih lagi.
ix
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
First of all, I would give my special gratitude to Jesus Christ for His blessings and guidance so I could accomplish this study. I thank Jesus for the possibility when I saw impossibility.
My gratitude goes to my advisor, Bapak Dr. Antonius Herujiyanto, M.A. for giving his precious time in guiding me patiently, giving suggestions and supporting me to finish this thesis.
Next, I would like to thank all lecturers of the English Language Education Study Programme especially to my academic advisor, Bapak Agustinus Hardi Prasetyo, S.Pd., M.A. for helping me and guiding me during my whole study in the university. My sincere love and gratitude goes to my beloved parents; my father Bapak Oscar and my mother Mama Utik who always support me unconditionally. I also thank my sister, Mbak Andam, who always takes care of me.
x
Chandra, Dewi, Adjiek, Tisa, and Wening for being my inspiration and helping me to finish my thesis. I also thank Okky and Jaya for inspiring me to always dream big and supporting me by providing encouraging words. I also thank all of my friends in PBI 2012 Suketi 48 and those whom I cannot mention one by one for the support and togetherness through all these time.
xi
CHAPTER II. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE ...6
xiii
5. Emotionally Unstable...34
B. The Meaning of Wallflower...35
1. Literal Meaning ...35
2. True Meaning ...41
CHAPTER V. CONCLUSIONS AND SUGGESTIONS...52
A. Conclusions ...52
B. Suggestions ...54
1. Suggestions for Future Researcher ...55
2. Suggestions for English Teacher ...55
REFERENCES ...56
xiv
LIST OF APPENDICES
1 CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION
The first chapter of this paper presents the Background of the Study, the Objective, the Benefits of the Study as well as the Definition of Terms.
A.Background of the Study
Literary works, as seen by Rees (1973) are writings that express and communicate thoughts, feelings and attitudes toward life (Ade & Okunoye, 2008). Literary works is an instrument that may contain the author’s personal feeling or
experiences in life. From the experiences the readers can gain wisdom that can be reflected in life. Therefore, literary works can be used as a source of knowledge.
Literary works have various forms which one of them is novel. According to Clara Reeve, a novel “is a picture of real life and manners, and of the time in which it is written” (Welleck & Warren, 1956, p. 216). In other words, a novel
The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a coming-of-age novel written by Stephen Chbosky. It was first published by MTV Books in 1 February 1999. The novel is written in the form of a series of letters sent by a fifteen year-old boy, Charlie. The letters are sent to an anonymous since he believes that there is a person out there who listens and understands without being judgmental. Charlie names the people in the letters by different names and does not enclose a return address since he does not want the recipient to figure him out.
The story goes around Charlie’s first year in high school. He struggles to participate in life. When Charlie is a kid, Charlie loses people that he loves; Aunt Helen who dies in a car accident when buying him a birthday present and his only middle-school friend, Michael, who commits suicide. His older brother leaves him for college and his older sister believes that Charlie is a freak. Charlie is a wallflower. He tends to sit on the back or side line to watch people and try to understand how things work. Meeting Bill, Sam and Patrick, Charlie is introduced to a lot of new things. They help Charlie to discover his strengths and participate more. Being a wallflower brings Charlie to many both happy and sad experiences. With the help of Bill, Sam, Patrick and his psychiatrist, Charlie is able to figure out and accept his dark past. Narrated from Charlie’s point of view, the novel shows Charlie, as a wallflower, struggles to participate in life.
3 content of the novel deeper and to understand what the writer wants to convey. This study finds out the true meaning of wallflower as seen in Charlie’s character in Stephen Chbosky’s The Perks of Being a Wallflower. This study uses psychological approach to reach the purpose of the study.
B.Objective of the Study
The objective of the study is to find the true meaning of wallflower as seen in Stephen Chbosky’s The Perks of Being a Wallflower.
C.Proble m Formulation
The problems of the study can be formulated as follows:
1. How is Charlie’s character described in Stephen Chbosky’s The Perks of Being a Wallflower?
2. What is the meaning of wallflower as seen in Charlie’s character in Stephen Chbosky’s The Perks of Being a Wallflower?
D.Definition of Te rms
1. Perk
According to The Third Edition of Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, perk means an advantage or extra thing, such as money or goods, which are given because of having job. The term perk is usually used in speech and in informal or relaxed situation such as between friends or family. While according to Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, perk has two meanings. First, it means something extra that someone receives in addition to regular pay for doing a job. Second, it means a good thing that you have or get because of your situation. In this study, the term perks refers to the benefits or advantage that is received by Charlie when the people around him see him as a wallflower.
2. Wallflower
According to Brad Bollenbach, wallflower means a person who is out at a social gathering, the only person sitting at the table who isn’t part of the
conversation. Every time the person tries to say something, he seems to get interrupted or ignored. Therefore, the person will stare off into space, pretend to watch the band or pull out the mobile phone. While according to The Third Edition of Cambridge Advance Learner’s Dictionary, wallflower means a pleasant
6
CHAPTER II
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
This chapter discusses the theories that become the base in analyzing the novel. Thus, this chapter is divided into three parts. The first part is the review of related theories. The second part is the theoretical framework that explains how the theories are applied in analyzing the novel. The third part is the criticism which provides the review of the novel by a critic. The fourth part is the context of the novel.
A.Review of Related Theories
This part deals with the related theories used as the base in analyzing the
topic of the true meaning of wallflower as seen in Charlie’s character. The
theories used in this study are psychological approach, theory of character, theory of characterization, theory of motivatio n, theory of personality, literal meaning and true meaning and Post Traumatic Stress-Disorder (PTSD).
1. Character
7
action (p. 32). From the beginning to the end of a work, a character may remain essentially stable in attitude and temperament, or undergo a radical change, either through a gradual process of development or as the result of a crisis (p. 33).
Stanton (1965) uses the term character in two ways. First it designates the individuals who appear in the story. This can be found in the question of how many characters there are in the story. The second, it refers to the mixture of interests, desires, emotions and moral principles that makes up each of these individuals. This can be answered in the question of how the character is described (p. 17). In most stories, there is a certain central character that is relevant to every event in the story. The events in the story usually cause some
changes either in him or in the reader’s attitude towards him. A character’s reason
for behaving as he does is his motivation. His specific motivation is his immediate reason which perhaps is unconscious reason or any particular speech or act. His basic motivation is an aspect of his general character. It is the continuing desire or intention that governs him throughout the story.
While Forster (in Abrams, 1999) emphasizes that character are not real people but rather like real people. Characters’ lives are different from real lives. Common activities such as sleeping and eating engage little space in the novels while love is greatly over-represented. However, sometimes characters can seem to be more real than the real people around us because a novelist is able to reveal
the character’s hidden life.
two-dimensional, is built around a single idea or quality and is presented without much individualizing detail. Therefore, flat character can be practically sufficiently described in a single phrase or sentence. While round character is complex in temperament and motivation and is represented with slight uniqueness. Therefore, such a character is difficult to describe with any sufficiency as a perso n in real life, and like real persons, is capable of surprising the readers.
2. Characterization
According to Abrams (1999) there are two different methods used for characterizing or establishing the distinctive characters of the persons in a narrative, which are by showing and telling. In showing, which is also called as the dramatic method, the author simply presents the characters talking and acting and leaves the motives and dispositions that lie behind what they say and do to the readers. The author may show not only external speech and actions but also a character's inner thoughts, feelings and responsiveness to events. In telling, the author interferes convincingly to describe the motives and dispositional qualities of the characters (p. 34).
9 a. Personal Description
The author describes a character through his appearance. The author
describes a character’s through its face, skin, eyes and the clothing. The clothing
that the character wears, what color his skin or eyes are, how the outer appearance looks like are used by the author to describe a character. The readers then are able
to tell a character’s from its outer appearance described by the author.
b. Character as Seen by Another
The author uses other character to describe the characteristics of a certain character. From the point of view of another, that certain character’s characteristics are described. The other character tells what that certain chara cter looks like, feels, thinks or behaves. From the other character’s point of view in describing that certain character, the readers can tell what the characteristics of that certain character are.
c. Speech
The author gives the readers an insight into the c haracter of a person in the novel through what that person says. Whenever that person speaks, gives opinion or has conversation with the other, the person gives the readers clues about his character. The speech spoken by the character describes the character’s characteristics.
d. Past Life
The author gives clues to the readers about a character’s characteristics
through his past life. The character’s past life is told during the story. The
since it has helped to shape the character’s character. This can be done through
direct comment by the author, the person’s thoughts, the person’s conversation or
the medium of another person. e. Conve rsation of Others
Conversations between characters might be included in a literary work. Through the conversation of the characters, the characteristic of a character is described. The characteristic is described through the things they say about the character. Through this way, the author gives the readers clue about a character’s characteristics.
f. Reactions
In a literary work, the character gives reaction to various situations presented in the story. By showing the character’s reactions to various situations and events in the novel, the author gives clue about a character’s characteristics. From the reactions shown, the characters described can be concluded.
g. Direct Comme nt
The author gives clue about a character’s characteristics by describing the characteristics directly. The author may also give comments on the characters directly during the story presented in the literary work. From the direct description or comment, the reader is able to know the characteristics of the character.
h. Thought
11
From the character’s thought or way of thinking, the characteristics of the
character are described. i. Mannerism
The author describes a character’s mannerism which can tell the characteristics of the character to the readers. The manner of the character is
shown from the character’s habit. In literary work, the author reveals the habit of
the character both positively and negatively. From the habit of the character, the characteristics of the character are shown.
3. Theory of Motivation
According to Worchel and Shebilske (1989), motivation explains why an organism acts in a certain way at a certain time (p. 373). Motivation is the driving
force of an individual’s action. It affects the behaviours, actions, thoughts and
beliefs of an individual. There are two types of motivation. First is extrinsic motivation and second is intrinsic motivation. Extrinsic motivation comes from factors external to the individuals. It can be based on a desire for pay, status, grades, promotion, or any similar types of rewards. While intrinsic motivation involves deriving enjoyment and satisfaction from performing the task itself, not from the expected rewards.
be perfectly satisfied. When the lower needs are partially met, the higher needs partially emerge. However, people are unaware of the need hierarchy since most of the needs are unconscious. Unfortunately, the progress is often disrupted by failure in life experiences, such as divorce and loss o f job. Maslow states there are five stages of needs which are physiological needs, safety needs, belongingness needs, esteem needs and self-actualization.
a. Physiological Needs
Physiological needs are human’s basic needs where the body seeks for
food, liquid, sleep, sex, oxygen, freedom of movement and a moderate temperature. The needs above physiological needs on the hierarchy are pushed into the background in terms of controlling behavio ur if they are not adequately fulfilled. This can be seen for example when someone is in a state of semi starvation, he will constantly think, dream and talk about food.
b. Safety Needs
The safety needs emerge after physiological needs are fulfilled. These
needs represent a need for safety or security in a person’s environment. Higher
needs become unimportant when one’s life is endangered and the behaviour
reflects the person’s attempt to remain secure. This need can be seen in for
example people’s preference for familiar surroundings, secure jobs, saving
accounts and insurance.
c. Love or Belongingness Needs
13 needs involve a hunger for affection relationship with others, a need to feel part of a group, or a feeling that one belongs to somewhere. The love needs require both receiving and giving love which is love from another and someone to love. d. Esteem Needs
When the love needs have been adequately met, the esteem needs become dominant. These needs are divided into two parts. First is a need for self-esteem which motivates the individual to strive for achievement, strength, confidence, independence and freedom. Second is a need for esteem from others which involves a desire for reputation, status, recognition, appreciation by others on
one’s ability, and a feeling of importance. One will have self-confidence and
self-worth and sees himself as having a purpose in the world when the esteem needs are satisfied.
e. Self-Actualization
Self-actualization is the final level of development. When one has satisfied the first four levels of need, self-actualization can be reached. The behavio ur of the self-actualized person is motivated by a new set of needs which provide meaning to their life such as truth, honesty, beauty and goodness.
4. Theory of Personality
personality cannot be separated from social interaction. This social interaction
shapes a person’s personality.
There are no two individuals with the same personality. Each person has different personality to the others. Allport (1937) defines personality as the dynamic organization within the individual of those psychophysical systems
which determine a person’s behaviour and thoughts (p. 28). Allport believes that
personality is biologically determined at birth and shaped by a person’s environmental experience. Weinberg and Gould (1999) define personality as the characteristics or blend of characteristics that make a person unique. Freud (1920) believes that personality has three structures which are the id, the ego and the superego.
a. Id
Id is centered on primal impulses, pleasures, desires, unchecked urges and wish fulfillment. Freud states that the id is totally unconscious and unaware of its working. Id is the primitive and instinctive component of personality. It consists of all the inherited (biological) components of personality, including the sex instinct and aggressive instinct. It operates on the pleasure principle which is the idea that every wishful impulse should be satisfied immediately, regardless of the consequences.
b. Ego
15 making component of personality. The ego operates according to the reality principle, working human realistic ways of satisfying the id’s demands. It is often compromising or postponing satisfaction to avoid negative consequences of society. The ego considers social realities and norms, etiquette and rules in deciding how to behave.
c. Super Ego
The superego includes the values and morals of society which are learned from one's parents and others. It is similar to a conscience, which can punish the ego through causing feelings of guilt.
5. Psychological Approach
The approach used in this study is psychological approach. Psychoanalytic theory is formed by Sigmund Freud (1856-1939) that states human behaviour is the outcome of their early experience. Life is made up of different memories which resulted to what people are today. It gives influence on how people view life, socialize with others and behave. This approach is used to analyze the personality of Charlie which is affected by the unresolved issues and conflicts that occur from his childhood experiences.
According to Freud's psychoanalytic theory, personality develops through a series of stages. Each stage is characterized by a certain psychological conflict. The psychoanalytic theory believes that behaviours and personalities are
behaviour and personality is the result of the interactions among three component parts of the mind: the id, ego, and superego.
According to Abrams (1999), psychoanalytic criticism has been a very common form of psychological literary criticism since 1920s. Freud developed the form of psychology called psychoanalysis as a means of analysis and therapy for neuroses. However, later it was expanded to explanation for many developments and practices in the history of civilization, including warfare, mythology and religion, as well as literature.
6. Lite ral Meaning and True Meaning
Quinones (2002) states that literal meaning of literary work is what actually happen in it. Literal meaning is on a purely superficial level. It is about what the story or observation found in the literary work. Literal meaning is the meaning which appears or can be seen or noticed directly. It is not hidden and it can be seen explicitly. This meaning can be seen by reading the literary work because it is written explicitly in it. Case and Marshall (2009) note that a literal approach in learning is the tacit acceptance of information and memorization. It does not promote understanding for long term retention of knowledge (pp. 9-18).
17 says that the deeper meaning of the story is a meaning which has value for every reader (p. 75). Case and Marshall (2009) also state that deep learning involves the critical analysis of new idea and promotes the application for life (pp. 9-18).
7. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
According to Harvey (2002), trauma is a term refers to extreme psychological and physiological reactions to major losses (p. 23). On a daily basis people might experience minor losses from losing notes to losing strands of hair.
However major losses are the losses of something in a person’s life which
involves emotional involvement. All losses are not trauma but all traumas involve loss.
While according to Janoff-Bulman (1992, in Harvey 2002), trauma is defined as unusual events involving loss to the individual whether a death, the loss
of body parts or functioning, the loss of a job, the loss of one’s home or the loss of
one’s trust in others or in the safety of the worlds (p. 6). Traumatic reactions may
create loss of concentration, sleeping and eating problems, flashbacks and nightmares. Traumatic reaction may be so severe that it becomes posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
As stated in Helping Children Cope (Robinson et al., 2004), traumatic events may be public knowledge such as earthquakes or hurricanes or more private trauma such as physical, sexual or psychological abuse (p. 29).
symptoms are re-experiencing the event through dreams, flashbacks or acting out the events in play. A person may also experience crying spells or periods of uncontrolled crying, isolating behavio urs or avoiding family and friends. The other symptoms are mood swings or feelings of anger or fear, changes in sleep patterns, difficulty falling or staying asleep, sleeping too much and experiencing nightmares and/ or sleep disturbances. The person who suffers from PTSD shows effort to avoid thoughts, feeling or activity that arouse recollections of the trauma. The person also does not expect to have a career, marriage, children or a normal-life span and diminishes participation in significant activities. Perso n who suffers from PTSD also shows the feeling of guilt about surviving the event or being unable to change the event or prevent the disaster.
B.Theoretical Frame work
This study applies psychological approach. The researcher also uses some theories to support the findings. The researcher applies theory of character by Forster (in Abrams’s 1999) and theory of characterization by Murphy (1972). These theories are used to analyze the character of Charlie in the novel.
The theory of motivation by Maslow (1943), theory of personality by Freud (1920) and theory of Post-Traumatic Social Disorder by Janoff-Bulman (1992) and Scott and Stradling (2001) help the researcher to find the meaning of
19 C.Criticis m
The review of Stephen Chbosky’s The Perks of Being A Wallflower has
been done by several critics. One review is written by Aria (2014) published in Good Reads.
“The Perks of being a wallflower has to be one of the books that I could
relate to. It was very insightful and poignant that in most part of this book I
felt like it was me writing those letters”
Aria stated that she could relate to Chbosky’s The Perks of Being a Wallflower. She felt that even though it was told from Charlie’s point of view, she could feel that it was her writing the stories. The feeling of sadness in the novel is delivered to the readers very well. The reader could position themselves in Charlie’s situation.
Relate to Aria’s review, the researcher agrees that novel could bring the
readers into the emotion of the character. The researcher can see the world
through Charlie’s eyes. The reader can also relate to Charlie’s situation since the
researcher has also gone through a teenage life just like Charlie does in the novel, feeling pressure from friends as well as agitated.
D.Context
break up with his girlfriend. It made him realized that people accept the love they think they deserve, which became one of the famous quotations included in the novel. Chbosky sees love not just about romance between people but also love of self, love of the future and for the life. That topic is brought up often in the novel and can be one of the things people can learn from The Perks of Being a Wallflower.
21 CHAPTER III METHODOLOGY
This chapter deals with the methodology of the study which is used to analyze the findings from problem formulations. This chapter consists of three parts. The first part describes the novel used in this study. The second part describes the approach used in this study to analyze the novel. The third part shows the steps that are conducted to complete this study.
A. Object of the Study
The object of the study is a fiction novel entitled The Perks of Being a Wallflower written by Stephen Chbosky as his first published novel. Stephen Chbosky is an American writer, editor, film and director. This novel was first published by Pocket Books on February 1st, 1999. However, the one that is used in this study is published by MTV Books/ Gallery Books trade paperback edition August 2012. This novel consists of two hundred and thirteen pages and is divided into five parts. Although Chbosky’s first book was banned in several schools because of its sexual content, it spent over six months at number one on the New York Times bestseller list.
himself as well as the death of his favorite Aunt Helen. Charlie perceives that Aunt Helen’s death is his fault since she gets in an accident for buying Charlie a
birthday present.
Charlie has an older brother and an older sister. His brother leaves to Penn State to play football. His sister dates an abusive boyfriend. Charlie witness his sister’s boyfriend hits her on the face but he is not allowed to tell their parents.
During Charlie’s first year of high school, his English teacher recognizes Charlie’s talent for reading and writing. He gives Charlie’s a lot of novels to be
read and eventually gets closer to Charlie. Although he is a wallflower, Charlie makes friend with two seniors, Sam and Patrick. Patrick is a homosexual and Sam is Patrick’s stepsister. Despite of they are being senior, they accept Charlie and
their bond gets stronger. Charlie develops a crush on Sam and ad mits his feeling to her. Patrick mentions Charlie as a wallflower as he does not participate and thinks too much. In school dance nights, Charlie stands at the back and watches people dancing instead of becoming one. As Charlie gets close with Sam and Patrick’s friends, he begins smoking, drinking alcohol and using drugs.
23 Sam and Patrick pay him a visit. They drive together through a tunnel, Charlie stands up and he feels infinite.
B. Approach of the Study
The approach used in this study is psychological approach considering that the aim of the study is to find out the true meaning of wallflower as seen in Charlie’s character. According to Rohrgeber and Woods (1971), psychological
approach portrays knowledge which includes human motivation, mind, imagination, thought and behaviour. By using this approach, the character’s thought and personality can be analyzed.
In this study, psychological approach is applied to answer the problem formulation by analyzing the character of Charlie as a wallflower and finding the true meaning of wallflower.
C. Method of the Study
This study belongs to library research. According to George (2008) the method of library research are identifying and locating sources that provides factual information or expert opinion. There were two kinds of sources used by the researcher which were primary source and secondary source. In this study, the researcher used Stephen Chbosky’s work entitled The Perks of Being a
answering the problem formulations. There were some steps done by researcher in analyzing the novel.
The first step was choosing the primary source. The novel The Perks of Being a Wallflower was chosen and the researcher read the novel for several times. The reading was done in order the get the understanding about the novel.
The second step was choosing the problem to be analyzed. The problem was chosen based on several considerations. The problem chosen was divided into two problem formulations. In this step, the researcher reread the novel to make sure that the problem was important enough to be answered.
The third step was finding and gathering related theories from books, journals, articles or information from internet that supported the study. The theories and information were used to solve the problem formulations and support the answers.
The fourth step was the researcher answered the first problem formulation by analyzing how Charlie’s character described in the novel. To find out about Charlie’s character, the researcher reread the novel. The researcher gathered some
25 motivation, the theory of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and the theory of personality were used. The researcher applied psychological approach to answer the formulated problems.
26
CHAPTER IV ANALYSIS
This chapter discusses the analysis of the two problem formulations. The
first part discusses Charlie’s characteristics. The second part discusses the true
meaning of wallflower in the novel. In analyzing the problem formulations, the researcher uses the theories presented in chapter two.
A.The Characteristics of Charlie
Abrams (1999) states characters are people presented in a dramatic or narrative work. Those people are interpreted by the readers according to their particular moral, intellectual, and emotional qualities from what the persons say. They can also be interpreted through their distinctive ways of saying or the dialogue as well as from their action (p. 32). From the beginning to the end of a work, a character may remain essentially stable in attitude and temperament, or undergo a radical change (p. 33). In addition Stanton (1965) says that the term character designates the individuals who appear in the story which can be found in how many characters there are in the story. Character also refers to the mixture of interests, desires, emotions and moral principles that makes up each of these individuals which can be found in how the character is described (p. 17).
27 activities such as sleeping and eating engage little space in the novels while love is greatly over-represented.
Forster divided characters into two which are flat character and round character. Flat character draws a single idea or quality and is presented without much individualizing detail. Flat character can be practically sufficiently described in a single phrase or sentence. While round character is complex in temperament and motivation and is presented with slight uniqueness.
According to Abrams (1999), Charlie is one of the characters in The Perks of Being a Wallflower. Charlie is presented in the novel and his characteristics can be interpreted through his way of saying and his behaviour. According to Forster,
Charlie is categorized as a round character. Charlie’s characteristics cannot be
longer write letters since he will be busy participating. The change in Charlie’s characteristic shows that he belongs to round character.
To find out how to characterize a character, the theory of characterization by Murphy is applied. Murphy (1972) states that there are nine ways in which an author attempts to describe his characters to be understandable and more alive for the readers. The nine ways are personal description, character as seen as by another, speech, past life, conversation of others, reaction, direct comment, thought, and mannerism. In this part, the explanation about Charlie’s characteristics is explained.
1. Honest
Charlie is an honest person. He always says the truth of what he thinks about other people or things. Even though there are several occasions where it is better for Charlie to lie to either avoid hurting himself or other people, he keeps
saying the truth. Charlie’s honesty is told through his reaction.
I keep quiet most of the time, and only one kid named Sean really seemed to notice me. He waited for me after gym class and said really immature things like how he was going to give me a "swirlie," which is where someone sticks your head in the toilet and flushes to make your hair swirl around. He seemed pretty unhappy as well, and I told him so. Then, he got mad and started hitting me, and I just did the things my brother taught me to do. My brother is a very good fighter (p. 7).
The conversation above shows that Charlie is an honest person. Sean tells Charlie
that he will stick Charlie’s head in the toilet. It sounds like a threat for Charlie.
However, despite of being afraid and saying nothing, Charlie tells Sean that he is
29 hitting Charlie. Actually Charlie can refrain from talking back to Sean but he prefers to say out his honest thought and cause them into a fight.
Another evidence of Charlie’s honesty can be seen through the
conversation below. The conversation occurs between Charlie and Sam. It happens in Big Boy where Charlie, Sam and Patrick hang out together for the first time after they finish watching a football match.
"What's your favorite movie?"
"I don't know really. They're all the same to me." "How about your favorite book?"
"This Side of Paradise by Scott Fitzgerald." "Why?"
"Because it was the last one I read."
This made them laugh because they knew I meant it honest, not show-off (p. 20).
Charlie is attracted to Sam since their first meeting which happens not long before the conversation occurs. They are having conversation to know each other better
and Charlie answers Sam’s question honestly. It can be seen that Charlie does not
tell lies when telling Sam about his favorite movie and book. He does not make himself look like somebody else. He does not keep his image high in front of Sam.
In conclusion, according to Murphy (1972), Charlie’s honest characteristic
is shown through his reaction and speech. Charlie is always honest when telling what he has in his mind. He is just being himself by telling the truth.
2. Thoughtful
Charlie often has a lot of things to be thought in his mind whether he is alone or with somebody else. He often thinks deeply and imagines what will
thinks too much to avoid participating. The evidence that Charlie is thoughtful can be seen in his thought below.
But I guess I did worry about it. I've been worrying about it ever since he told me. I look at people holding hands in the hallways, and I try to think about how it all works. At the school dances, I sit in the background, and I tap my toe, and I wonder how many couples will dance to "their song." In the hallways, I see the girls wearing the guys' jackets, and I think about the idea of property. And I wonder if anyone is really happy. I hope they are. I really hope they are (pp. 23-24).
Charlie’s perception above occurs when Patrick tells Charlie that in relationship
between guys and girls, girls think they can change guys. After they do change the guys, they would get bored. Charlie is concerned about that. He wonders how relationship between boys and girls work. He wonders whether couples are really happy. He really hopes that they are really happy and not just pretending to be ready knowing the fact that Sam will leave him for her study. He starts wondering what will happen if Sam and his brother are dating. However, he realizes that he
knows it will not happen since Sam and his brother is the opposite. Charlie’s
31 on Craig. In the end, Charlie realizes that his thought makes no sense and he has to stop thinking. He knows Sam will eventually leave for her study since she always wants to go to Penn State.
According to Murphy (1972), Charlie’s thoughtful characteristic is seen
through his thought. Charlie thinks a lot about things around him. He imagines every possible thing that may happen in different situation. Sometimes he realizes that he thinks too much about something that does not even make sense.
3. Intelligent
In the novel, Charlie is described as an intelligent student. Charlie’s older brother finds what he is good at, which is playing football, and makes it to go to Penn State, a quite famous college. Charlie’s older sister also manages to get
straight A’s. The clue which shows Charlie as an intelligent student can be seen in
his manner below.
I don't think that there is a favorite kid in our family. There are three of us and I am the youngest. My brother is the oldest. He is a very good football player and likes his car. My sister is very pretty and mean to boys and she is in the middle. I get straight A's now like my sister and that is why they leave me alone (p. 5).
Charlie states that there is no favorite kid in his family. He states that his older brother is a very good football player and his older sister gets straight A’s like Charlie does. He is a very intelligent student which eventually causes him not to have friends at school.
My advanced english teacher asked me to call him "Bill" when we're not in class, and he gave me another book to read. He says that I have a great skill at reading and understanding language, and he wanted me to write an essay about To Kill a Mockingbird. I mentioned this to my mom, and she asked why Bill didn't recommend that I just take a sophomore or junior english class. And I told her that Bill said that these were basically the same classes with more complicated books, and that it wouldn't help me (pp. 9-10).
From Charlie’s statement above, it can be seen that Charlie has higher intelligent
than the other students since Bill, his advanced English teacher, always gives him another book to read after he finishes reading one book. Bill believes that Charlie can practice his reading and writing essay well in no time. Bill also tells Charlie that his skill at reading and understanding language is very good. Furthermore, Charlie is in his sophomore year but Bill asks Charlie to take advanced English class instead of junior English class which is provided for sophomore year student. Bill believes that taking junior English class will not help Charlie in increasing his skill. Therefore, it can be seen that Charlie’s intelligence in reading and understanding language is above the average students of his age.
Charlie is an intelligent boy. According to Murphy, Charlie’s intelligent
characteristic can be seen through his manner and the description from the point of view of another (Murphy, 1972). Charlie always gets straight A’s just like his older sister. He also manages to take English Advanced Class which is supposed to be taken for seniors.
4. Extrovert
33 shows effort in order to have social interaction with somebody else. Charlie does not enjoy being alone by himself. He actually is very concerned in having social interaction with other people. Even though he is very silent, he loves being show, but Patrick couldn't stop talking about it (p. 110).
The show that is played by Charlie is The Rocky Horror Picture Show. He plays Rocky who is the main character of the show. It is his first time participating in the show. Even though he needs to dance and pretends singing in front of many people, Charlie feels that he has the best time in his whole life. While Patrick keeps bringing up the topic about Charlie wearing a feather boa in the performance, Charlie thinks that it is nothing to be ashamed of. Charlie does not mind performing in front of a lot of people. He does not mind being the centre of attention. He eventually likes it.
Charlie asks Bill whether Bill wants him to write an essay about the book he finishes reading or not. Instead of asking to write another essay, Bill offers Charlie to visit his house and spend time with him along with his girlfriend. Charlie is very excited about the invitation. He thinks that it will be fun to spend time
together with his teacher and his teacher’s girlfriend. Some students might feel
awkward visiting their teacher’s house alone. Furthermore the teacher also invites somebody else that they have not met before. However, Charlie does not reject the invitation. He also does not accept it merely because if he rejects it he might hurt his teacher’s sincerity. He accepts and wants to come because he enjoys having interaction with people.
Charlie’s extrovert characteristic can be seen in his reactions to different
situations (Murphy, 1972). From his reactions, he always enjoys spending time with people. Charlie loves having conversation and getting to know people more.
5. Emotionally Unstable
The author describes Charlie as a person with unstable emotion. There are several times especially when he is a kid that shows Charlie’s emotion is unstable. He can be aggressive and right after that he can be very soft. The evidence which shows that Charlie is emotionally unstable can be seen on the statements below.
Then, he got mad and started hitting me, and I just did the things my brother taught me to do. My brother is a very good fighter.
"Go for the knees, throat, and eyes."
35 Some kids look at me strange in the hallways because I don't decorate my locker, and I'm the one who beat up Sean and couldn't stop crying after he did it. I guess I'm pretty emotional (p. 8).
The two statements above show that Charlie is both aggressive and easy to cry. It happens when Sean gets into a fight with Charlie. Charlie learns how to fight from his brother and somehow manages to beat up Sean. Sean is hurt while Charlie wins. However, right after that Charlie starts crying. He cannot control his emotion. He cannot get a hold of himself and her sister must drive him home in the middle of her class.
According to Murphy (1972), Charlie’s unstable emotion can be seen through his reaction and direct statement. Charlie has difficulties in controlling his emotion. He says that he is emotional. He also does not understand why he beats up Sean and cannot stop crying after that.
B.The Meaning of Wallflowe r
In this part, the meaning of wallflower as seen in Charlie is analyzed. The meaning of wallflower is divided into two parts. F irst is the literal meaning. The literal meaning of wallflower can be found explicitly in the novel. Second is the true meaning. The true meaning of wallflower can be found after reading the novel for several times and understanding Charlie’s characteristics.
1. Lite ral Meaning
reading the novel since it is written in the novel. The researcher uses psychological approach by Freud (2009) to analyze the word wallflower according to Charlie’s characteristics. It is found that Charlie is an intelligent boy. He is gifted with the ability of reading and writing and able to take English Advanced Class which is supposed to be for seniors. Charlie is also an extrovert boy because he enjoys being in the centre of attention and spending time with the people he loves. Charlie gets his energy when spending time with the people he loves. However, he also always worries how to fit in with the other people. He is a thoughtful boy who always tries to figure out how everything works and avoid participating. From these characteristics, the literal meaning of wallflower as seen
in Charlie’s characteristics is analyzed.
37 He feels insecure and confused. Then, he keeps his desire for himself and let his ego do nothing to fulfil it. Since his superego blocks his id to reach the desire and his ego is not strong enough to do action to satisfy the id, the id creates Charlie to be a wallflower.
Charlie is described as a wallflower can be seen in the conversation below. "He's something, isn't he?"
Bob nodded his head. Patrick then said something I don't think I'll ever forget.
"He's a wallflower."
And Bob really nodded his head. And the whole room nodded their head. And I started to feel nervous in the Bob way, but Patrick didn't let me get too nervous. He sat down next to me.
"You see things. You keep quiet about them. And you understand" (p. 37).
The conversation happens in Bob’s party. Sam and Patrick invite Charlie to come
to the party and it is his very first party that he attends. In the party, Patrick mentions Charlie as a wallflower. Charlie is described as someone who sees things but keeps being quiet even though he understands.
Charlie is a wallflower who often observes people. He often pays attention to what people do and imagines what they think deep inside their thoughts. It can be seen many times in the novel that Charlie observes people either those who he knows or he does not. The evidence that Charlie is an observer can be seen in the statements below.
I feel very ashamed. I went to the high school football game the other da y, and I don't know exactly why (p. 18).
Charlie goes to his first high school football game alone. He has no companion and does not know why he comes to the game. Instead of enjoying the game, he observes the people there. He watches who are in love, who hang around and who really watch the game. Charlie observes the people and finds Nothing. He watches Nothing and notices that he really watches the game. Charlie sees Nothing is interested in the game that he yells and screams. Charlie does not come to the game to enjoy the game but to observe people. Another evidence can be seen in the statement below.
I was in the shopping mall because that's where I go lately. For the last couple of weeks, I've been going there every day, trying to figure out why people go there. It's kind of a personal project.
There was this one little boy. He might have been four years old. I'm not sure. He was crying really hard, and he kept screaming for his mom. He must have been lost. Then, I saw this older kid, who was maybe seventeen. I think he went to a different school because I had never seen him before. Anyway, this older kid, who was really tough-looking with a leather jacket and long hair and everything, went up to the little boy and asked him what his name was. The little boy answered and stopped crying. I guess the mom had been searching for the little boy for a long time because she came running up to the information desk, and when she saw the little boy, she started crying (p. 143).
39 Charlie is a wallflower who does not participate in life. He prefers to just stand at the back and see people doing their things. At a school dances, Charlie tells Bill that he does not join the dance because he does not know how to dance. He prefers to lean against a wall and observe people.
At the school dances, I sit in the background, and I tap my toe, and I questions whether people are as happy as they seem.
In his being of a wallflower, Charlie is an insecure person. He has lack of confidence about himself. His lack of confidence overcomes him to see his own ability even though other people can see it.
Then, Bill took this really long pause, and his voice sounded like my dad when he wants to have a big talk.
"Charlie," he said. "Do you know why I gave you all that extra work? " I shook my head no. That look on his face. It made me quiet.
"Charlie, do you know how smart you are?"
I just shook my head no again. He was talking for real. It was strange. "Charlie, you're one of the most gifted people I've ever known. And I don't mean in terms of my other students. I mean in terms of anyone I've ever met. That's why I gave you the extra work. I was wondering if you were aware of that?"
"I guess so. I don't know." I felt really strange. I didn't know where this was coming from. I just wrote some essays (p. 181).
Charlie is actually an intelligent boy. His ability in writing and reading is not the same as the average kid on his age. Bill, Charlie’s English Advanced teacher,
admits Charlie’s ability. Charlie is always given extra novel to read and to write
insecurity makes him not to admit his ability. Even though his teacher tells him so, he just thinks that he is just writing the essay and no more than that.
Throughout the story, Charlie manages to make friends with Sam and Patrick and their group of friends. They get closer and become friends with Charlie. However when they finish high school, they no longer come to the school and leave Charlie alone.
It is now prom night. And I am sitting in my room. Yesterday was difficult because I didn't know anybody since all my friends and my sister were no longer in school. The worst was lunchtime because it reminded me of when everyone was angry with me for Mary Elizabeth. I couldn't even eat my sandwich, and my mom made my favorite because I think she knew how sad I would be with everyone gone (p. 172).
Charlie is having a difficult time with everyone leaving him. He is insecure and does not have the confidence to make new friends with the other kids. He is lonely and terrible for not knowing anyone in school other than Sam and Patrick’s group of friends. He feels even more terrible in the lunchtime since it reminds him of the moment everyone is angry at him when he betrays Mary Elizabeth. In reality, it does not happen anymore but the loneliness makes Charlie remember that moment.
41 2. True Meaning
The true meaning of wallflower in the novel is the meaning that can be seen in the novel implicitly. The meaning of wallflower can be understood not only by reading the novel but also knowing the motivation of the characters. Worchel and Shebilske (1989) argue that motivation drives people to do something in a certain way. To find out the deeper meaning of wallflower as seen
in Charlie, Charlie’s motivation has to be identified. According to Maslow (1943),
motivation works based on certain needs and there are five stages of needs.
Therefore to understand Charlie’s motivation, the five stages of Charlie’s needs
has be analyzed.
Charlie is a wallflower who often thinks a lot, sees a lot of things but keeps quiet even though he understands what really happens. Charlie often prefers observing people instead of participating and socializing with them. However, his being as a wallflower means something more than that.
When Charlie is a kid, he spends a lot of time together with Aunt Helen. She is Charlie’s favorite person in the world. Charlie sees her as someone who belongs to him and even calls her “My Aunt Helen”.
My Aunt Helen was my favorite person in the whole world. She was my mom's sister. She got straight A's when she was a teenager and she used to give me books to read. My father said that the books were a little too old for me, but I liked them so he just shrugged and let me read (p. 5).
I don't really know what happened next, and I never really asked. I just remember going to the hospital. I remember sitting in a room with bright lights. I remember a doctor asking me questions. I remember telling him how Aunt Helen was the only one who hugged me (p. 91).
Aunt Helen is the only person who hugs Charlie. Charlie needs attention but he
does not receive it from his family. Aunt Helen fulfills Charlie’s needs which are
not fulfilled by his parents, his older brother or his older sister. In that state, Charlie loves Aunt Helen very much because she is the one who makes Charlie feel that he belongs somewhere.
When Charlie is a kid, Charlie starts asking Aunt Helen questions about her past. His questions make Aunt Helen cry and his Dad slap him.
That's when my dad slapped me, saying, "You're hurting your aunt Helen's feelings!" I didn't want to do that, so I stopped. Aunt Helen told my father not to hit me in front of her ever again and my father said this was his house and he would do what he wanted and my mom was quiet and so were my brother and sister (p. 6).
Eventually Charlie stops asking Aunt Helen. However, it is not because his Dad
slaps him but because he knows it hurts his favorite person’s feeling. Charlie does
not want to hurt the person he loves. When he knows it hurts Aunt Helen’s feeling,
he stops asking questions.
Aunt Helen also lets Charlie stay awake and watch Saturday Night Live.
When their parents are busy having party in their friend’s house, Aunt Helen
baby-sits Charlie, his older brother as well as his older sister. They spend time and make memories by watching TV together.
