-
Very beginning of novel-Introduction of Charlie
We learn protagonist Charlie is an intelligent, driven, introvert who is exceptional at literature and reading. Charlie is an extremely emotional individual, who we learn cries on a regular basis. Almost immediately does the audience learn that Charlie lost one of his bestfriends, Michael, to suicide, and is now writing in his journal to an anonymous "friend" exemplifying the fact that Charlie feels as though he can't talk to anyone in his life. -
Introduction of Bill
Charlie's advanced English teacher is introduced. Bill represents the first person to accept Charlie in high school, and assigns him various novels to read, thus enhanceing his aspiration to become a writer. -
Introduction of Patrick
Charlie meets Patrick or "Nothing" in Mr.Callaman's workshop class, and immediately shows a liking to the hilarious senior who does charming impersonations. -
Charlie's Knowledge of Sister's Relationship
We learn of Charlie's knowledge of the abuse that his sister's boyrfriend inflicted on her. This is the first sense of Charlie's loyalty of those he cares about, proving that he's a wallflower and can keep a secret-regardless of how serious that secret may be. -
Introduced to Sam
Sam is beautiful, and has brown hair, and captivating green eyes. She immediately welcomes and charms Charlie. We learm that Patrick and Sam are stepsiblings, who'm have an extremely close relationship. The three protagonists talk at Charlie's first highschool social event, a football game, which initiates the trio's friendship. -
Charlie Gains Feelings for Sam & Recieves Significant Advice
Charlie realizes he cares about Sam-more than a friend-but understands it's not mutual. He then dreams about her in a sexual manner. His English teacher, Bill, gives him advice to prevent him from "observing" life, and tells Charlie "Sometimes people use thoughts to not perticipate in life", and then adds "Charlie, we accept the love we think we deserve", which alters Charlie's perspective on
life for the entirety of the novel, thus proving its significance. -
Positive Moment After Homecoming
After homecoming, Sam, Patrick and Charlie are on their way to a party when they share an angelic moment together. Sitting in Sam's truck, they listen to an "amazing" song, and simply relish in eachothers company. Charlie states "I feel infinite" and that he felt like five minutes of a lifetime was truly spent. This was a defining moment in Charlie's new friendship with Patrick and Sam, and represents the positive aspects they would soon bring to Charlie's life. -
Charlie Eats Pot Brownies, Loss of Innocence
At a homecoming game after party, Charlie unintentionally consumes brownies laced with pot. Sam takes care of him, and makes him a milkshake, as a sweet friendly gesture. This event symbolizes a loss of innocence for Charlie, and a right of passage that is a part of the average high school experience. -
Charlie Labelled as a Wallflower
Stoned, Charlie encounters Patrick and Brad kissing behind a closed door at a party. Charlie promises to keep their secret, and despite his feelings for Patrick, Brad fears the consequences of being openly gay. Patrick labels Charlie as a "wallflower" and tells him "You see things. You keep quiet about them. And you understand." This is an incredibly important and significant event to the novel, both to the plot and to the relevance of the title. -
Introduced to Mary Elizabeth
Charlie introduced to tattooed, Buddhist smoker Mary Elizabeth who's close friends with both Sam and Patrick. -
Charlie Admits to His Love of Writing & Sam
Bill has frequently been lending Charlie novels outside of class, and assigning him essays since the start of the year. In his journal, Charlie admits to aspiring to be a writer in the future. He also admits to his love for Sam, and his attraction for her beauty, kindness, and intellectual wit. Charlie is in love with Sam, and it pains him. -
Plot Introduces Craig
Readers learn that 21-year old Craig, began dating Sam. Craig is an attractive, artsy, male model who Charlie wishes would really listen to Sam when she speaks. It's evident that Charlie is unpleased with Sam's new relationship, but not for his own personal selfishness, but for the rather selfless wish of wanting Sam to be as happy as she deserves. This exemplifies what a loyal and loving friend Charlie is. -
Charlie Participates in Secret Santa
Charlie particpates in Secret Santa with his group of friends. Charlie buys Patrick incredibly thoughtful and generous gifts throughout the time span of a few weeks, giving him a mixed tape, magnetic poetry, water colour paints, and a harmonica. Patrick ends up being Charlie's Secret Santa as well, and gifts him with a suit, claiming "All great writers used to wear suits". -
Charlie Shares a Touching Moment with Sam
At a Christmas party Charlie gives Sam an old 45 record, wanting to give it someone who was as beautiful as the song. Sam thanks Charlie and tells him that she loves him.
They proceed to go up to Sam's room where she shows him his gift; an antique type writer that says "Write about me sometime".
Sam asks if Charlie has ever been kissed, and when he replies that he hasn't, Sam gently kisses Charlie to assure that his first kiss was with someone who loves him-unlike hers. -
Audience Finds out Vital Information about Aunt Helen
Readers find out that Charlie's beloved Aunt Helen passed away the same day as his birthday, December 25. Charlie goes to a dark place, and dreads his birthday. He was even held back a grade, and was forced to go to the doctors when he was younger. -
Helen's Dark Past; And Charlie Blames Himself for Her Death
Helen was molested by a family-friend when she was younger, but no one believed her. She took an abundance of drugs and alcohol, and was treated at many hospitals. Helen was an unhappy person, but was Charlie's favourite, and was the only person to buy her nephew two presents a year. On December 24 1983, Helen passed away in a car crash, on the way to purchsae Charlie's birthday present. Charlie blamed himself for his aunt's tragic passing, an event that haunted him, & left him lacking closure -
Charlie's Sister Has an Abortion
Charlie finds his sister crying, and learns that she's pregnant. He takes her to have an abortion, and doesn't tell a soul, proving his loyalty. This event expemplifies Charlie's loving and kind character, but also his maturity and ability to keep a secret, thus his label of a "wallflower". -
Charlie Kisses Sam In Truth Or Dare
After drinking beer and wine, Charlie asked Patric to "kiss the prettiest girl in the room" in a game of Truth or Dare. Instead of kissing his then girlfriend Mary Elizabeth, Charlie opted to tell the truth and kiss Sam, who'm he thought was incredbily beautiful. Mary Elizabeth, visibly upset, ran out of the room and Sam trying to comfort her followed, but not before saying "What the f*ck is wrong with you?" to Charlie. Sometimes protagonist Charlie is unaware & oblivious in social situations -
Charlie Has A Downhill Spiral
With everyone angry at Charlie for the "Truth or Dare" incident, he feels isolated and alone, and proceeds to smoke an abundance amount of weed. Charlie wants to know what's wrong with him. -
Charlie Earns His Friend's Acceptance Once Again
Bob tells Charlie that Brad's dad caught him and Patrick together and beat him extensively-almost to death. Later on in the week Brad calls Patrick a "faggot" in the middle of the cafeteria. Charlie defends Patrick and beats two of Brad's friends-costing him detention. Sam and Patrick forgive Charlie for the party incident, and acccept him back into their lives. -
Inspiring Quote in the Novel "The Fountainhead"
In the novel "The Fountainhead" that Bill assgined Charlie to read, wrote "I would die for you, but I won't live for you" which stood out to main character Charlie. The idea of the quote was for people to live their own lives, and make the choice to share it with other people. It's what makes people "participate" in life rathe than observe it, which was a key theme in "Perks of Being a Wallflower". -
Beautiful Last Day of Highschool
It was the last day of highschool, and Patrick, Sam, and Charlie share an alluring and tranquil moment together running up a hill chasing the sunset. They were silhouette's frozen in time, their last official day of school together. Charlie then realizes that everyone's leaving him. -
Bill's Final Words with Charlie
Charlie meets Bill at his town house for lunch, and they share a special conversation. Bill thanks Charlie for the wonderful experience of teaching him, and tells him that he is one of the most gifted people he had ever met-not just in terms of students. Bill tells Charlie he's "special"; the last person that had called him that was Aunt Helen. Bill claimed Charlie to be a friend-another example of a form of love in "Perks of Being a Wallflower". -
Charlie Gifts Sam & Patrick Novels
After prom Charlie gives all the novels Bill gave him to Patrick and Sam as graduation presents. He wanted both of them to have his fabourite books because they were his favourite people. It was a simple moment, filled with love and thoughtfullness. It was a beautiful way for Chbosky to tie in the literature mentioned througout the plot. -
The End
The night before Sam was leaving Charlie and Sam kiss, and almost become intimate with eachother when Charlie abruptly panicks and must stop. Sam and Patrick say their final goodbyes to Charlie leaving him in a dark place. Charlie's parents find him sitting on the couch naked and take him to the hospital where readers find out that Helen molested Charlie as a child. The realization for both himself and his family allow Charlie to move on and become happy with his life.