The author utilized symbolism in Stephen Chbosky’s The Perks of Being a Wallflower to portray Charlie’s character. The tunnel, the Rocky Horror Picture Show, and dancing were employed as symbols and imagery to illustrate Charlie’s transition from observing life passively to actively participating in it. These symbols also convey Charlie’s realization of the significance of friendship and family.
Charlie, a teenager named Charlie, is coping with the suicide of his friend Michael. In order to alleviate his concerns and worries about embarking on high school by himself, Charlie starts corresponding with an unknown person whom he believes to be compassionate despite their lack of acquaintance. Over the course of the academic year, Charlie encounters significant milestones such as going on his first date and experiencing his first kiss. He also has to face bullying, experiments with substances like drugs and alcohol, and undergoes the repetitive process of forming friendships, losing them, and subsequently reconnecting.
Charlie creates his own personal soundtrack by crafting a series of mix tapes filled with iconic songs. He also reads a vast amount of timeless literature and immerses himself in the interactive culture of the “Rocky Horror Picture Show” audience. In his last letter, Charlie expresses optimism about leaving the hospital, forgiving his aunt Helen for her past behavior towards him, making new friends in his sophomore year of high school, and actively engaging with life instead of just watching it go by. Charlie’s goal is to break free from his introspection and become an active participant in the tangible world.
In the story, Charlie goes through tunnels three times. The first and third occasions are with his friends, but when he goes through the tunnel the second time, he is by himself. This allows him to think about the life he has been living. Tunnels can have various meanings, but in this story, they represent a path for Charlie to transition from being a wallflower to becoming an engaged and sociable teenager. When Charlie goes through the tunnel with his friends again, it signifies that he is truly living life instead of merely watching it from afar.
Feeling the wind on my face while standing in that tunnel made me completely indifferent to seeing downtown or even considering it. The mere presence in the tunnel was sufficient to evoke a sense of infiniteness within me. Another symbolic allusion found within the novel is The Rocky Horror Picture Show, a 1970s film wherein characters masquerade as Frank ‘N’ Furter, engage in object throwing antics, and interact with the screen. One of the tunes showcased in this movie is “Time Warp”, which actually entails a collective dance.
Charlie finds a special meaning in The Rocky Horror Picture Show as it represents his desire to be accepted and fit in. This need for acceptance is extremely important to Charlie, just like the friends he surrounds himself with. The film offers a safe space where Charlie can freely express himself and participate in unconventional activities without fear of being mocked. As Charlie puts it, “While we may not understand all the reasons behind who we are, we still have the ability to determine our future regardless of our origins.”
Despite having multiple chances to dance at his school, Charlie only dances once in the story when Sam asks him to. This reluctance to dance symbolizes his unwillingness to fully participate in anything. Additionally, the story also uses dancing as symbolism. Charlie’s teacher, Bill, asks him if he dances at the homecoming dance and Charlie replies, “I’m not a very good dancer.” This further emphasizes his hesitation to engage in activities.
Instead of dancing, he chooses to watch others dance. During school dances, he remains in the background, tapping his toe, and pondering how many couples will dance to their song. This serves as further evidence that Charlie is a wallflower, until his friends come along and help him understand that experiencing life is more fulfilling than merely observing it. When Sam invites Charlie to dance, it becomes one of those moments when Charlie feels infinite. “She holds me a little closer, and I hold her a little closer. And we continue dancing. It’s the one moment during the entire day when I genuinely wish time would stand still.”
Another instance occurred when Sam and Charlie shared a kiss, a moment that brought intense joy and made Charlie realize he had never been happier in his entire existence. This event further solidifies the fact that Charlie is starting to break free from his introverted nature and form genuine connections with others. The author skillfully employed symbolism and imagery to depict the transformation of Charlie, the story’s protagonist, as he transitioned from being a passive observer to an engaged and collaborative teenager, exemplified through various elements such as tunnels, the Rocky Horror Picture Show, and dancing.
The author utilized these elements to demonstrate how Charlie discovered the importance of family and friends in one’s life. Additionally, they depict the thoughts and feelings experienced by a wallflower regarding life. Most notably, symbolism and imagery were employed by the author to highlight the idea that actively participating in life is superior to mere observation.
