Inquiry Question by Isabel Learis

In the book “Perk of Being a Wallflower,” the main character Charlie has an unexplained conflict within himself. This conflict causes Charlie to get depressed, and also go a little crazy sometimes. I think his family and friends have a big impact on his problem. They cause it, but they also help him get through it.

            Charlie’s family and friends can sometimes cause his problem. It’s mainly that they can make him feel crappy or depressed, which then causes it. For example, normally Sam and Patrick make Charlie feel very happy and make him not think about sad things, but over winter break Charlie wasn’t with them so he says, “And I wish my Aunt Helen were here. I miss my Aunt Helen like this. Reading this book isn’t helping either.” Charlie missed his Aunt a lot throughout the book, but he can’t do anything about it because she is dead. Also, when Charlie’s friends weren’t talking to him, he got really upset, and starting doing drugs. It says, “A few days ago, I went to see Bob to buy more pot.” This is while his other friends aren’t talking to him. Without them he makes mistakes, and soon this turns into a larger problem. It turns into something bigger.

            Even thought Charlie’s family and friends can cause the problem sometimes, they also try to steer from the problem and try to make him feel better. For example after Charlie went to the hospital and therapist for his situation, his parents were being very nice, they even missed watching his brothers football game on TV. The book says, “WE got home, and my mom made me some tea, and my dad asked me if I wanted to sit and watch the game, and I said yes… and my mom said a lot of encouraging things about how I was doing so well this school year and maybe the doctor would help me sort things out.” His family is caring for him and his problem, trying to help. Also, when his friends are mad at him and stop talking to him it gets really bad, but then when they start talking again Charlie stops smoking pot and he gets a lot better.

            As you can see, Charlie’s family and friends cause and solve his problems. Its like they have positive and negative affects on him. But even if they are negative, Charlie’s family and friends are all very important to him.