Perks discussion questions p 78-141

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• havo
• Leerjaar 4

perks discussion questions and additional information

What is the significance of the poem Charlie read aloud?

chbosky leaves that interpretation open to the reader 

its about getting older and being left bij familie and friends

It's about loss and suicide.

What is the significance of the poem Charlie read aloud? (example answer, including link to theme)

What presents was Charlie given by his friends? Do any stand out as being symbolic?

He gets many presents which seem like impersonal gifts but he finds out that they are all part of the suit he was given, all great writers wore suits and he gets a typewriter so he can write his stuff about Sam.

Does Charlie have problems at home? Explain

On the surface, Charlie's family meets the textbook standard criteria for normal: mother, father, three kids. But just because they fit a mold set by 50s-era sitcoms, that doesn't mean they are one big happy family. They definitely have their share of problems, some of them dating back a generation or two. And they're certainly not forthcoming with loving comments and physical affection. Still, in the end, they all come together to support each other.

What happened to aunt Helen? What was particularly hard on Charlie? Describe their relationship.

answer

Aunt Helen died in a car accident on Charlie's seventh birthday when she went to buy his birthday present. This was particularly hard on Charlie, because he felt responsible for her death. She was his favorite person, probably because she was one of the few people who bought him two gifts at the holidays—one for Christmas and one for his birthday, which was Christmas Eve. This meant to Charlie that he was important. She is also the only family member that is named, which shows that she had an important role in his life. Later in the story the reader finds out they actually had a much more complicated relationship.

What do the gifts Charlie gives his friends reveal about their characters? How is this similar to the usage of music?

a possible answer

What is the role of abuse in the novel so far? How has Charlie identified it in his family members and/or friends? Does it alter his perceptions of these people because of it? (so does it change his mind about these people)

possible answer

2 example answers, both missing if it changes Charlie's mind about those people.

A lot of Charlie's family members were abused as children. His friends also were abused. For instance: Sam's first kiss was a form of sexual abuse; Charlie's sister got hit by her boyfriend; his aunt Helen was abused by a family friend; his dad was abused by his stepfather. There's a clear pattern in abuse, people who were ever abused are more likely to abuse in future.

Many of his family members experienced abuse. His sister was abused by her boyfriend, he hit her. His aunt Helen was abused by many men and also by a family friend when she was young. His mom and aunt were beaten when they were kids. His dad was also a victim of abuse and saw his sister get in an abusive relationship as well.

Now to completely answer a question like this I expect you to answer like this:

Abuse has a big role in the novel, almost every character has dealt with some kind of abuse. They were abused, they saw the abuse happening or they were related to someone who was dealing with the after effects of abuse. Charlie has seen abuse taking place when his sister got hit by her bf. Charlie has also heard about the abusive situations when his parents were growing up: for example his Mother and Aunt who got struck by their father and later on that his Aunt was in abusive relationships. I don't 

Rocky Horror Picture Show

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The Rocky Horror Picture Show is an iconic cult movie from the 1970s, and ever since its release, audiences have been gathering for regular viewing parties. People sing along, talk back to the screen, dress up as their favorite characters, and dance the “Time Warp” group dance together. 

What do Punk Rocky and the Rocky Horror Picture Show Symbolise for Charlie and his friends?

Charlie and his friends regularly watch and perform along with The Rocky Horror Picture Show, and this venue gives them the opportunity to let loose and be themselves without reservations and without judgment. 

What does Charlie's participation in the show do to him?

When Charlie gets to play Rocky one day, he gets excited for several reasons.

1)

2)

3)

answer

 First of all, Sam plays Janet, Rocky’s love interest, and Craig, Sam’s boyfriend, typically plays Rocky, so this offers Charlie an opportunity to get close to Sam without overstepping any boundaries. 

As Rocky, Charlie dances in a feather boa and wear a gold Speedo. This kind of flamboyant exposure might seem like a wallflower’s worst nightmare, but since Charlie is acting as Rocky, not himself, he gets to immerse himself in the role of another person, which is liberating. 

Charlie gets positive sexual attention for putting himself out there as Rocky, since Mary Elizabeth asks him to the dance after seeing him on stage. Being Rocky, Charlie can embody a more sexual version of himself, since he can temporarily leave behind his emotional baggage.

Rocky Horror Picture Show

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The Rocky Horror Picture Show offers other characters in The Perks of Being a Wallflower the opportunity to express themselves in a way that they cannot do in ordinary life. Patrick regularly plays the role of Frank ‘N Furter, the transvestite in the film. Even though Patrick keeps his homosexuality closeted in his daily life, and he cannot make his relationship with Brad public, he becomes liberated on stage. Charlie knows that Patrick is truly depressed when he no longer shows up for Rocky Horror, and he recognizes that Patrick is doing better when Patrick appears for the show again. The Rocky Horror Picture Show also acts as a comforting routine, an anchoring ritual in the constant turmoil and drama of high school life. No matter what else happens, Rocky Horror is still there.

Charlie, Bill and books ->press play