Perks of Being A Wallflower

Part one:

The ending for the story is appropriate given the plot of the book. Charlie obviously struggles both internally and externally with multiple conflicts. He is mentally ill, and so for the book to end, as if nothing bad ever happened to the poor kid, then the ending would have been inappropriate. The reader knows that he is struggling through life, and can infer that something had happened to him in his life. So, when the reader learns that he was sexually abused, the reader can infer that the abuse is what has caused him to be mentally ill. The ending of the boo, although it is sad, is appropriate.

Part two:

“I would die for you. But I won't live for you.” 

The overall meaning of the story is that relationships cause us to develop into who we are. This quote relates to the meaning of the story because people may love each other enough to risk their own life for them, yet they must love the person enough to let them live their own life. Everybody ,use participate in life, and then share their life with the people around them that they love.

“Things change. And friends leave. Life doesn't stop for anybody.” 

This quote relates to the meaning of the story because the relationships in Charlie's life have developed him into who he is, and he has had to learn how to deal with change and loss. It is not an easy task, but he has had to learn how to live his life, after the change in his relationship with some people. Charlie can't stop his life because he lost a lived one, or a friend went away to college, therefore he learns to live without these people with him all of the time. 

“There's nothing like deep breaths after laughing that hard. Nothing in the world like a sore stomach for the right reasons.” 

This quotes relates to the meaning because Charlie was a quiet kid, until he met Patrick and Sam. They are crucial to the development of Charlie. It is kind of like they are his foundation; they keep him stable and give him something to stand on. With their help he blossoms into this new child. His personality flourishes when he becomes friends with them. He has these great times when he is with them, and he just develops into this entirely different character than who he was in the beginning if the story.

Mixed Tape

1. Second Chance By: Shinedown
     After going through all the drama and struggles of growing up, sometimes I believe that getting away from the problems that I must face will make it not easier, but better for me. I know their will be problems wherever I go, but I also feel as if separating myself from unnecessary drama  is a good decision. Also, I deal with a lot of crap from my parents, and so getting away from them would be nice. They hold me back, and put me down.

2. Roar By: Katy Perry
     I picked this song because although people put me down, and try to make my life harder, I will not back down. I refuse to go down without a fight. I know who I am, and what I stand for, and I will not let somebody else control me. I am tired of being the quiet child, who never stands up for herself, and I won't be that person anymore.

3. Bruises By: Train Featuring Ashley Monroe
     Everybody has faced some sort of problem or challenge at one point in their life. You cannot live, and not face a problem. I feel like these difficulties are what makes us who we are. They make us unique, and mold us into who we are. These "bruises" are what makes us empathize with others.

4. Demons By: Imagine Dragon
     I picked this song because every human being has struggles that they face everyday. I know personally that their are decisions that I have made that I truly regret, but I can't undo them, so I have to live with them everyday. Most days it isn't easy to face them, they haunt me, and the decisions that I make now. They haunt me too because no matter what I do, I can't forget them, and neither can others. They are thrown in my face, as if I don't feel bad enough, others have to make me feel worse.

5. Let It Go By: Tim McGraw
     I love this song because I feel like everybody can relate to it. No matter what demons haunt you, if you let it go, then you can move on with your life. It is not always easy, but it is important for people to not let their problems hold them back.

6. Titanium By: David Guetta
     This song describes basically everybody. People have to be strong to survive. The hardships that people endure make them stronger. This song describes that.

7. Numb By: Linkin Park
     This song speaks to me because in an attempt to please others around me, I lost sight of myself. I felt as if I was just there, and it was as if nothing mattered to me anymore. I was who everybody else wanted me to be. So, I had to do some soul searching to find myself. Now I live my life for me, and I am who I am.

8. Easy By: Rascal Flatts
     I love this song. It is so true. It is easy to go out and live life, and make people think you are happy. Anybody can put a smile on their face, but just because their is a smile on their face does not mean they are truly happy. It is not easy to make people think you are happy. The easy part is going out, and doing activities. Being happy in itself is not happy.

9. Oath By: Cher Lloyd
     This is one of my all time favorite songs. Anybody who really knows me knows that I love my friends and family with everything in me. I truly live and genuinely care about those that are close to me. If I say I have your back, then I have your back. So, I feel like this song just relates to me because that is the type of friend that I try to be to all of my friends.

10. Second Chance By: Shinedown
     After going through all the drama and struggles of growing up, sometimes I believe that getting away from the problems that I must face will make it not easier, but better for me. I know their will be problems wherever I go, but I also feel as if separating myself from unnecessary drama  is a good decision. Also, I deal with a lot of crap from my parents, and so getting away from them would be nice. They hold me back, and put me down.

The Perks Of Being A Wallflower

Discussion Question:

To be a wallflower means that you can blend in and adapt to any situation. Yet, you are also your own person, and you are unique in your own way.

Characterization:

1.       The protagonist in the story is Charlie because everything revolves around him. The letters are sent by him, and they are about him, so he is the protagonist.  He is a quiet kid, and he is awkward, and very vulnerable. He tries to blend in, so that he won’t be noticed. Until he meets Sam and Patrick, he doesn’t hang out with anybody. They help to bring him out of his shell.

2.       Charlie is a round character because as the reader reads about him, they come to know of his life. Charlie’s family are all flat characters. Sam and Patrick are both round characters.

3.       Charlie has good parents who do try to take care of him. Yet, they still have their flaws. Charlie’s father does not show affection, except for on rare occasions.  His mother attempts to show love, yet she still lacks concern for her son. It almost as if the parents don’t take interest in their son’s life.

Point Of View:

                The point of view for this story is third person limited because although the story primarily revolves around Charlie, the story does not directly use I, me, or other possessive words. It revolves around all of the characters, but it does not tell all of their stories. It is telling Charlie’s story, but at the same time we do not know every detail of every characters life. By using this method the author is able to keep the readers interest. It is effective in conveying details about the characters without giving away too much information.

Plot:

                There is a conflict between Charlie and society. He struggles to fit in. There is also a conflict between Charlie and himself. He fights with himself to not goes into the empty space, and to not think about Sam in more than just a friend way. There is also a conflict between society and the beliefs of children. Patrick is gay and wants to be with Brad, yet they cannot be together because of Brad’s dad.

The exposition draws the reader, and attracts their interests, so that the reader will want to keep reading.

How to Read Literature Like A Professor:

                There are communion scenes in this story. Also, the weather chapter is used in this story. Violence is used because Charlie fought with another boy. Symbolism is used.  It’s all about sex. Except Sex.  Don’t Read with Your Eyes.

Quotes:

                Everybody goes through problems, and some peoples may be worse then others. Yet, life is not going to be easy for anybody, and we can’t let our struggles hold us back from living our life.

                This means that if we think we deserve trash, then we will stay with somebody who treats us like trash. Yet, if we think we deserve monetary objects, then we will seek somebody to give us the things we seek. We as people seek a companion who will gives us the things out heart desires.

                This quote means exactly what it says. The person is happy, yet at the same time, they are sad. Their life still lacks something important, and while they have things that make them happy, they lack something to really complete them. This could be a person or an emotion.  Some things in their life make them happy, yet overall their life is dismal. 

Reflection on this Class

Throughout the past four weeks, I have come to enjoy the class. I have read many interesting stories. I feel as if my writing skills have developed.

I have learned many new writing skills, as well many new English terms. These terms help me to analyze stories.

If I had to pick a favorite short story, it would probably be The Sorrowful Woman.

If I had to pick my least favorite I would pick A Rose For Emily. I enjoyed the story the first time I read it. This made what seemed like the fiftieth time that I had read it.

I don't know what to say to do to improve the class. It is a great class, and I learn new things everyday. The times writings are really helpful. Everything is helpful.

Points of View

First Person: The author participates as a character. Word choice of I, me or other personal and possessive words indicate that the author is using first person. The reader must be cautious because the point of view can be one sided and biased.


Third Person Omniscient: The reader knows all things about the characters such as: what they are thinking, how they are feeling, what is going on in their life, etc.


Third Person Limited: The reader only knows the details of the characters that are provided.


Third Person Objective: The author has a point in writing. The author writes about something that is happening, and the reader can not infer anything else.


Third Person Collective: The author writes the work from the perspective of a group or community. The author does not participate as a character.

Popular Mechanics: Different Point of View

Screaming. That was all I had heard for days, and I was getting tired of it. All they have done for the past month is yell at each other, and I have no idea why. She looks at him, outraged because of something he has done. Yet, he looks at her with a look of disappointment, as if she could not possibly understand. What has happened? They act like they don’t love each other anymore. Yet, they both still love me, and they laugh and smile when they hold me. Well…

Mommy cries, and her tears soak my blanket when she holds me. I want to make her feel better, but I don’t know what is wrong. After, they fight she will come to my crib, and pick me up. Then, she rocks me and sings me lullabies. I love it when mommy sings to me, but sometimes she holds me really tight. It hurts; I know she doesn't mean to hurt me, but she does.

Daddy doesn't really hold me that much. Actually, he doesn’t have much to do with me at all. I know he loves me, but sometimes he does a bad job of showing it. Lately, he has been staying gone a lot. He goes to work early of the morning, and he returns home late at night. He looks tired all the time. I guess I would be too if I had to work as much as he does. As soon as he comes home, the yelling begins again. Sometimes, he gets mad and throws things around. Most of the time, this is what makes me wake up. Once, he threw one of mommy’s pictures, and it hit my crib. I woke up right away. I didn’t mean to cry, but I was scared. Mommy came to me instantly, and she sung me a song. I went back to sleep, and I did not wake up again until the morning.

Then the day came. It was cold outside, and the trees had no leafs, and the snow was melting into slush. Mommy had been keeping the house warmer, and on the rare occasions we had to go down the road, she would put warm clothes on me. I don’t like this time of year, when the snow falls. It is too cold, and I don’t like it when it is cold.

I was in my bassinet, listening to music, and playing with a toy. That is when it happened. Mommy went down the hall, and into the room.

She said, “I’m glad you’re leaving! I’m glad you’re leaving! Do you hear?”

As far as I know, daddy never said anything. I can hear really good, and I never heard him talk, so I do not think he spoke to her.

Then mommy said something I never would have imagined. She called daddy a curse word. I don’t think I have ever heard mommy curse before.

Just after she cursed, she came back through the house, and into the kitchen. She sat something down, but I was not sure what it was. It looked like a picture. A picture of what?

                After she sat it down, she came to me, and picked me up. She walked into the kitchen again. I was hoping she was going to make me a bottle, but daddy came in, and she focused her attention on him.

“I want the baby,” daddy said.

Mommy said, “You’re crazy.”

                Daddy told her that he would have somebody come for my things, but I did not want to go anywhere. I want to stay home. I like my home, and my crib and toys. I started crying. I was afraid that they were going to get rid of me. Had I done something wrong? Mommy began to rock me back and forth, and like always, she sung me a song.

                Just as she shifted her attention to me, he moved towards her. Mommy moved faster than ever, as she stepped away from him. That did not stop him. He grabbed hold of me. He was hurting me. Why was he hurting me? Why wouldn't he let me go? I was screaming now, as pain raced through my body.

                Mommy tried to make him let me go, but he was too strong. He took me from mommy, and I was scared. Mommy grabbed my arm, trying to get daddy to let me go. He refused to let me go. So, mommy pulled, and daddy pulled back.

                Then I saw it. The thing that mommy had sat down on the table. It was a picture…a picture of me. That was the last thing I saw. 

Self Analysis

I am a typical girl on the outside, if you consider being four foot eleven inches tall, typical for a seventeen year old girl. I am not exceptionally beautiful, or smart, and I do not stand out in any way what so ever. I seek to blend in. By doing so, I do not attract any attention, and can hide from the world. Regardless of how normal I look on the outside, I am far from it when you look into my soul. Pain has tainted my heart, and tears streak my face daily. I faces problems, and have to deal with more than I would ever wish on any human being Yet, I know that things could always be worse. Just when I feels like giving up, I finds the strength to go on. I know that I am strong, and I refuse to give up, and let others take control of my life. In the past two years not much has changed. I look the same, and generally thing the same. I am more mature than I used to be, but I still have some maturing to do. Yet, I have changed. I no longer let people run over me like I used to, well most people. I also no longer am as spineless as I used to be. I am slowly finding the courage to stand up for myself. I always try to be the best that I can be, and I do my best to help everybody that I can. I care about people, and love my friends and family with all of my heart. Yet, at the same time i can hold a grudge for as long as I want.  In all honesty, I have not changed very much in the past two years, and as much I regret to say this, I am a static character.

Character Analysis: A Rose For Emily

William Faulkner truly outdid himself when characterizing Emily Grierson. Through the use of direct and indirect characterization he was able to vividly describe the woman, and to make her seem as if she is a real person that readers know. At certain points in the story, Emily is described to be ugly, fat, old, and unsociable. The author however goes beyond physical appearances when he writes about this character. By using indirect characterization the reader can infer that the woman is crazy and lonely. Miss Emily, as she is known in the story, is a round character because she is so well developed. While reading the story, the character develops over time, and readers learn more about the character throughout the story. Although Miss Emily is a round character, she is also a static character. She does not change throughout the story. From the beginning the audience is able to tell that she is lonely, and throughout the story she remains lonely. She always keeps the same mindset that she should not pay taxes, and she never lets people into her home. After the death of her father, Miss Emily had nothing left. Her father, who deprived her of love and marriage, was the only thing she had left, and she cling to him. She loved him with everything in her, and when he died, she lost it. She did not want to give up the body. Also, the reader can infer that she is crazy due to occasions in the story when Miss Emily buys arsenic, and keeps her fathers dead body. When she buys arsenic, the reader questions her purpose for the poison. At the end of the book, when the body of Homer Barron was discovered, the reader truly thinks this woman is a psychopath. Yet, when the grey hair is discovered on the pillow beside of the body, there is no doubt that this woman has lost all sanity. She faces many conflicts in life. One of them is with herself. She struggles to be happy, and to live her life. She has no reason to be happy. Yet, she also struggle with society. Society wants her to pay taxes, meanwhile, she retains the same mindset that she should not have to because she was told she would never have to pay taxes. Overall, Emily Grierson is a round and static character that is described by using both indirect and direct characterization.

Character Analysis: Literary Terms

Indirect Characterization: This is when the author describes a character by using context clues, and without directly stating physical or emotional appearances.

Direct Characterization: This is when the author plainly states how a character looks or thinks. They may go into great detail about a characters physical appearance or personality directly.

Round Characters: Round characters are very detailed, and the readers is often given the most information about them.

Flat Characters: Flat characters are generally very dull because they stay the same throughout the entire story. They are what they are, and that’s all there is to it.

Stock Characters: Stock characters are stereotypical characters. They are your average stereotype.

Static Characters: Static characters are like the heart rate line on machines in the hospital. Once the line goes flat a person is dead. Static characters are like they line, they are flat. There is nothing to them.

Dynamic Characters: Dynamic characters are diverse. They can be very spontaneous, and the reader never really knows what they are going to do next. 

Plot and Structure: Literary Terms

Exposition: The beginning of a story, usually where the author introduces characters, as well as provides readers with details to make them familiar with the story. Rising Action: The rising action comes after the exposition, and is the part of a story where characters develop along with the story. Readers begin to develop an emotional attachment to the story, and even with the characters. The rising action builds up to the climax. Climax: The turning point of a story. It comes after the rising action, and is a point of intensity in the story. Actually, it is usually the most intense part of a story. It really gets the readers adrenaline pumping. The part of a story where the reader can not put the story down. Falling Action: After the climax, this part of the story more or less wraps things up. Everything pretty well settles down, and generally goes back to normal or as close to normal as possible. The story begins to end. The falling action provides details for the ending of the story. Resolution: The ending of the story. Issues and conflicts are resolved by this point, and the story ends. Conflict: Usually introduced during the rising action, the conflict is the problem or problems of a story. There are various types of conflict such as: man vs. man, man vs. self, man vs. nature, etc. Protagonist: Commonly thought of as the “good” guy, the protagonist is basically the character who is trying to help others. However, the protagonist can and most likely will have faults. These faults may make him/her less appealing to readers, but they can still be the protagonist. Antagonist: The ‘bad’ guy of the story. Sometimes this person is troubled, and just causes problems. The antagonist makes peoples life harder. Flashback: A moment when the author takes the audience back in time to a point of interest in a characters life. In Media Res: This is when the author begins a story in the middle of the story. Consequently, the author must go back and do some explaining in a way, so that they story will make sense, but sometimes very little explanation is needed.

Plot and Structure: The Lame Shall Enter First

     From the very beginning of the story, the author makes it a habit to make noticed eyes and seeing; therefore, creating a theme of blindness in the first part of the story. Also, a deeper meaning is meant when referring to seeing rather than just to see ones surroundings, but also to have insight into subjects and matters. Sheppard the protagonist faces a conflict with himself. He wants to be more than he himself as one man can ever be. He tries to be like Jesus Christ, and save those who do not want to be saved. Rufus Johnson the antagonist is the victim of his choice. Sheppard believes that he can save Johnson, and give him the life he never had, and he feels Johnson was entitled to. Yet, in trying to compensate for the negative influences on the child’s life, Sheppard neglects his own son. Thus creating yet another conflict, man vs. man. Norton, Sheppard’s ten year old son, is grieving the loss of his mother. Sheppard, tells his son that he should move on, yet it is ironic that Sheppard himself has yet to move on. Also, in the main beginning of the story, while eating their breakfast, Norton becomes sick, and regurgitates his meal. This foreshadows that something bad is going to happen. Throughout the journey that Sheppard, Norton, and Rufus embark on, many things go wrong. Sheppard buys a telescope hoping that Rufus will take an interest in space, yet the boy never does. This however creates yet another conflict for Sheppard. Norton questions where his mother is because Rufus mentions that he is possessed by the devil, and will go to hell if he does not change his ways. Norton now wishes to know where his mother is. He wishes so strongly to believe that she went to Heaven, however, she was an atheist just like Sheppard, and is therefore rotting in hell. As a result of Rufus’s lack of interest in the telescope, Sheppard buys him a microscope, with the mentality that if he can get him interested in the small stuff first, then he will come around to being interested in space. This is selfish of Sheppard because this entire time he neglects his son, and it is ironic because Sheppard views himself as selfless, and he is actually the most selfish character in this story. It is also ironic that in an attempt to help Rufus, who was neglected, he manages to neglect and abuse his own son. It is also tragic that he loves Rufus more than his own son. As the story draws to an end, Rufus is taken away, and as he is taken by the police, Sheppard begins to think of Norton, wondering where he is. So, he runs to the attic, to find him hanging by a rope. As he embarked on his flight to see his mother. While not actually meaning a literal flight, Norton killed himself, so that he could escape his problems, and join his mother. Overall, the author created a theme of blindness, and it is ironic because Sheppard is perhaps the most “blind” character of them all. He fails to see the pain his son is going through.

Plot and Structure: An Occurrence At Owl Creek Bridge

     Centered around the murder of a Mr. Peyton Fahrquhar, An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge intrigues readers by vividly telling the story of how an innocent man’s life is brought to an abrupt halt. Ambrose Bierce, the author, describes in detail the scenario at hand from the beginning of the story. Through the use of symbolism throughout the plot the author is able to convey deeper meanings than what is read in the general context. For example, Owl Creek Bridge represents far more than just a normal bridge, rather representing a separation between the North and the South, but also the line between life and death. Also, when Bierce wrote of the ticking watch, it was symbolic of time, and how it was running out. Through the use of symbolism the author is able to emotionally attach the reader to the character, and ultimately build up to the most intense part of the story. The author takes the reader on a thrill unlike any other, as readers are drawn to the text; while reading about the struggles Mr. Fahrquhar goes through to save himself. Vivid details are used to create a picture in the readers head, almost as if they were seeing and experiencing every minute detail for themselves. As the journey to make it out of the water draws to an end, the climax is ending as well. Finally, the man has made it out of the water, and is heading to towards the woods. They appear as a safe haven, keeping the character separated from his kidnappers. Imagery plays a key role throughout the entire story, but is essential in establishing the connection with the readers. Finally, as the story draws to an end, Mr. Fahrquhar reaches his home to his life and family. Only to die in the arms of the woman he loved. To the disappointment of the reader, the poor lad never made it home. Rather he hung from Owl Creek Bridge. The entire reason for his death was simply because he wished to be something bigger and “better” than he was.