Part One

Characterization

Charlie- He is Dynamic, because he changes drastically throughout the book, especially when he meets Sam and Patrick. He becomes more open and makes more friends, actually falls in love with someone, and finds out the truth about his childhood and becomes at peace with the situation.

Part Two

"and in that moment, I swear we were infinite." (page 39)
- This shows that Charlie is happy. He is finally enjoying being noticed, and loved.
"but because things change. and friends leave. and life doesn't stop for anybody." (page 145)
-This shows that no matter what happens, you have to move on, and keep on going.

"'I would die for you. but I won't live for you.'" (page 169)
-Sam says this to Charlie because she can't make him enjoy life, or enjoy it for him, she wants him to experience it himself.

My Personal Mixtape

1.  Don't Rain On My Parade by Barbara Streisand, from the famous Broadway Show "Funny Girl" in 1964. It is a major part of my day, especially before school because it reminds me that no matter what will come my way that day, I WILL NOT let it rain on my parade; let it rain on my personality, on my self array, my happiness, my dreams, my goals. EVERYTHING that I believe in myself, I refuse to let someone tear me down.

 

2. Take me to the King by Tamela Mann because I am a true believer in God, and I consider myself a Christian. God is my everything, without him I am nothing. With this song, it describes that life can get you down and you feel like when u come to church all the time, you kind of get churched out cause their is no spark, but it reminds you that when you get down and feel like no one is there, God is, and you take it all to him, you take it to the king.

 

3. Belief by Gavin Degraw, because it reminds you that belief in something makes something or someone stronger in someway. This song is kind of depressing song, because he is talking about how his lover is a hard pill to swallow but yet he still believes she is amazing and she is his world.

 

4. So Beautiful by Musiq Soulchild, because it reminds me of the good in love. It reminds me of the sweet, passionate, fun relationship I have with the love of my life. He always brings me joy, and laughter.

 

5. The Way I am by Ingrid Michelson, because in this song it describes what she would do for the ones she loves, such as "if you were falling, then I would catch you" and in the end all she wants in return is to love her for the way she is. I believe this relates to my life very much.

 

6. Round and Round by Imagine Dragons simply because it is about depression and about all the people who feel left out or rejected in life. Everyone goes round and round, escaping the same way, and in the end we just want someone to tell us to lift our head up high because life itself has a purpose.

 

7. Hey Jude by The Beatles because it is about A girl who is sad, and the Beatles tell her to keep calm and just breathe, and turn something sad into something happy. It reminds you that for all that you do for someone, even if they don't appreciate it, just go on and be thankful for the good person you are.

 

8. Here Comes the Sun by the Beatles, I love this song just because it brightens my day and has a great tune and meaning to it.

 

9. I'll be seeing you by Billie Holliday because this song touches my heart and gives me a thought of reminisce to the 60's, with the vintage and love, and just a soothing sound to my ears. I almost try when I listen to it.

 

10. Don't Rain on My Parade by Barbara Streisand. The classic Broadway song that brightens my day. I listen to it before I start my day and when I end it, so it is repetitive, and simply because it reminds me that I will not, EVER, let anyone tear down my goals and dreams; nor my personality, my happiness, my love.

What exactly does it mean to be a "wallflower"? 

to know everything that goes on, keep quiet, and understand

Characterization

Who is the protagonist? How would you characterize him?

Charlie; he is a curious but awkward teen who is transforming into high school, trying to make friends and feel excepted.

Which characters are round and flat? 

Charlie is round, Patrick and Sam are round, Brad is round, Charlie's brother is flat. Bob is flat, and Bill the teacher is flat.

Examine the family dynamics in "Perks". Would you classify Charlie's parents as good or bad? What textual evidence do you have to support this?

I believe they are good, but they don't make enough attention to Charlie. In the book, it constantly says how the parents are proud of the older brother, and talk about how good he is.

 

POV

• What point of view is used and what style? Why would the author chose this method? How is it effective?

Personal narrative, it is from first person; Charlie. Because it makes the reader feel how Charlie feels and thinks.

Plot

• What conflicts exist in this novel so far?

He likes Sam and he is trying not to. His parents aren't recognizing him, and making friends.

• What do you notice about the exposition of this story? Does it grab your attention? How?

somewhat, because you want to know how the story plays out with his new friends he has made.

How to Read Literature Like a Professor

Which chapters apply so far?

Communion.

Quotes

Discuss these quotes in your groups. What do they REALLY mean?

- when someone has something bad happen to them, it can either affect their future or not.

- when you feel like u deserve crap, you will only except crap.

- he likes his life, but their is some parts that he don't like.

Things I've Learned....

I have learned many things since school has started. Mrs. Endicott has taught me a lot about how to analyze a story, and find clues that help indicate the depth of a story. A lot of what has helped me is class discussions and the book "How to Read Literature Like A Professor".

1st Person-a category used in the classification of pronouns, possessive determiners, and verb forms, according to whether they indicate the speaker; in a story, the speaker is talking about their self

 

3rd Person Omniscient-the speaker is not part of the story, but is able to "know" and describe what all characters are thinking.

 

3rd Person Limited-the speaker is not part of the story, but tells about the other characters but limits information about what one character sees and feels.

 

3rd Person Objective-a story told from the "he/she" point of view, in which the narrator reports the actions and words of the characters, but not their thoughts

 

3rd Person Collective-a story told from the "he/she" point of view, in which the narrator reports the actions and words of the characters, and their thoughts

Popular Mechanics: Rewritten from first person

  I looked outside the window as I was quickly shoving my belongings into my small duffle bag. I recognized it was starting to get dimmer inside, not to mention the strong tension that was arraying throughout the house. Even the dreary white slush beaming off the covered ground outside didn’t illuminate through the window. She was in the other room pacing back forth. I was glad I didn’t have to finally her yelling in my ear, questioning me; I was just sick and tired of the emotion, the mourning. I just had to get away, leave all the chaos of this prison I felt I was being held in. As soon as I got done gathering all I could, I reached for the door handle but she had heard me shuffling up, so insisted on barging in. She said, “I’m glad you’re leaving! You hear me?!” I just pretended that I didn’t hear her. Her voice was piercing to my ear drums. I had a picture of the baby in my hand. I tried to push my way through past her but she stopped me and jerked it away. She darted into the living room with it. I said, “Bring that back now!” She had started to cry, trying to compose herself, screaming, “Just get out!” I began to walk towards the baby and she sprinted to pick it up. I told her, “I’m taking the baby.”

“Are you crazy?” she proceeded.

I stared at her with anger, but I tried to keep myself content. I said, “no…but I want the baby. I will send someone to get his things.”

The baby began to cry as she tried to scream over him saying, “You’re not taking this baby, for God’s sake!”

Without a thought, I reached over towards her to take it out of her arm. She said, “Let go of the baby, get away now!”

I wanted that baby, she wouldn’t get to have him, and I just wouldn’t allow it. The baby was red-faced and screaming. As I was pulling to get him out of her arms, we both knocked down a flowerpot that hung behind the stove. I pushed and pinned her into a corner so I could get him away from her, to break her grip. I held onto the baby and tried so hard to get a good hold of him. I screamed, “Let go of him!”

She shouted at me, “don’t you’re hurting him!”

But I knew I wasn’t. I had to have this baby, one way or another. I finally got her fingers pried off of him, but just as soon as I got him into my arms she grabbed his wrist and pulled back. I insisted that she would absolutely not have this baby. It was coming with me.

As soon as she made the tug on his wrist, as I was fighting back, feeling the baby slipping, in that moment, in this manner, she and I both knew what was before our eyes; what had just happened. The issue was decided.

Self Analysis

I believe I am a dynamic character in the story of my life because the past two years, the reflection of how all the people around me and I see myself has changed drastically. I went from being insecure with my body, my face, my self-esteem, and even my relationship with God. I felt as if I had left everyone down all the time that I was rejected by all, loved by none. I hated myself with pure disgust. I began to let the Devil take over my mind and body. I told myself I was worthless and didn’t deserve anything; therefore I developed really bad depression. My past had a very big impact on my present and future. It could either make me or break me. At the time, I was letting it shatter me to pieces. I attempted to kill myself twice, and am so lucky I didn’t succeed.

Since then my life has changed in the better direction, I have changed for the better. I have gotten closer with God, closer with my family, and have my life on track. I have better self-esteem than I ever would and I feel loved and cared about my friends and family. I am also in a relationship with someone who cares for me and makes me see the fun and happy things in life. He gives me joy and makes me smile just because. Myself as a whole has become two different personalities from then and now. I may not be proud of the person I was, but it has shaped me into the better person I am today.