1. What is failure to you?
2. How do your favorite quotes relate to your life?
3. What failure in life has taught you a lesson, that not only benefitted you, but someone else?
4. In what ways has failure influenced your life, and your point of view of yourself today?
5. Does your own imagination influence your life in any way?

"Ultimately, we all have to decide for ourselves what constitutes failure, but the world is quite eager to give you a set of criteria if you let it."
 I believe this quote touches my life because I feel like the world has thrown so many battles my way, and no matter what, I believe I have found a way to push through, because no matter how bad the world wants to get me down, I will always fight my way, and be ultimately successful.

"Climbing out of poverty by your own efforts, that is indeed something on which to pride yourself, but poverty itself is romanticized only by fools."
 This touches my heart because as well myself have experienced poverty, and pretty much being homeless, and it is absolutely true that you have to climb out by your own efforts, to get out of the problem, not only with poverty, but everyday life. With any problem, the only way to get out of it, is by your own motivation. You have to want to change for the better.

"There is an expiry date on blaming your parents for steering you in the wrong direction."
  This one quote has so much impact. It impacts me specifically because of the situation with my mother. She is on drugs, and that has impacted me tremendously, in every aspect of my life, but just because of what she has done, doesn't mean I can blame her for my failures in life. No one can choose where they come from, but they sure can decide where they go from there. I am my own person and make my OWN mistakes.

Paige and Julius: Group Work

1. I believe the true significance of the title of the novel, "Looking For Alaska" in my opinion, is that Alaska's friends don't stop looking for her even though she is dead. They are searching even harder for every important piece of information they can find that will help them understand the person she was and help understand what led to her death. They are looking for her in the metaphorical sense. They are searching for a peace at heart that helps make it possible to go on and live a productive life even though the tragedy caused so much heartache for them.

 8. In the novel "Looking For Alaska", I (Paige) believe I relate most to Alaska. In some ways, I can see myself of how she comes to blaming herself and feeling guilty for her mother's death; where in my shoes, I blame myself for my mother's drug addiction, and the brokenness of my family. one other aspect that relates us is that Alaska doesn't share her real feelings with people. She is like a mystery. Where I don't share my feelings with much people. I go about everyday acting happy sometimes when I am upset on the inside.

14. In the novel, "Looking For Alaska" the main character, Miles "Pudge" Halter, is related to the main character, Charlie, in "Perks of Being A Wallflower" by facing the same situations such as, many instances of heartbreak which are the heartbreak of Charlie losing his friends for a while, and Pudge , danger, death, and many moments of decision, all of which affect the rest of their stories. Not only have they both experienced the same situations, but they also started off inexperienced with life, and sheltered in some way, and in both stories it shows how both characters are "saved" and taken in by important friends in the books. One more addition comparison is that both say a meaningful quote that helps influence the book. Pudge says "seeking a great perhaps" and Charlie says "I feel infinite." Both quotes are very powerful, and not only help carry out the stories, but kind of show Charlie and Pudge as who they are.

Songs From Charlie

Heroes- David Bowie
-This song is played when they go through the tunnel. Sam gets out in the back of the truck and stands up, and just enjoys the presence, the wind going through her hair. Charlie enjoyed the song, as the lyrics said, "We can be heroes, even just for one day." Charlie said he felt infinite, and he did. He felt excepted and loved. It influences the overall meaning, of how he feels alone, but he is now excepted. It helps us understand him.

Dear Prudence- The Beatles
-This song is on Charlie's playlist, I believe, because of Sam. Charlie is

The Overall Meaning: Perks of Being A Wallflower

What is the overall meaning of "Perks of Being a Wallflower" (the Book)?

To show the kids who are in the background, who get ignored, and that are like Charlie, to just keep going. In this book, it gives three strong examples of teens who face heart-wrenching situations that make them feel like giving up, but they keep on going.

Does the movie emphasize or change the overall meaning? How so?

I believe it emphasizes and changes the overall meaning. The movie gives the perfect example of a kid who is in pain and feels like no one is there, and emphasizes that he finds other people who share things in common with him, and he connects with them, which makes him better. But, the movie also changes the whole meaning by leaving out small details that help out the big picture. For example, in the book, Charlie's parents do not whatsoever pay him any attention, not on his first day of high school, or even his birthday which helps play out Charlie's feelings, and part of why he is the way he is. But the movie shows Charlie's mom make his favorite food on his first day, and they have him a humongous cake on his birthday in the movie which takes away from the movie which is broadcasting Charlie, and how he feels.

PART B- Choose a letter from the book. Write a letter back to Charlie 

(I chose the first letter in the book)
 Dear Charlie,
I can understand that you don't want to give out too much information, but I do want you to know that I am always here to give some advice. I am so terribly sorry about your friend Michael. It literally breaks my heart to hear about someone so young, go so quickly, and not enjoy life. I know it must be hard for you to deal with, but just know, it will get better. Also, it sounds that you have a really good bond with your older brother which is wonderful. It seems to me that he is helpful and cares about you. Your Aunt Helen sounds great as well. Is she your best friend? Because it sounds like to me, she is there for you Charlie! And also whatever has happened to your Aunt Helen,  I am also so terribly sorry. Charlie, you can always write me, anytime, because I will always be willing to help you in anyway, and give you any advice, just ask me! Talk to you soon!!
Love,
Paige

MY SONG TO SOMEONE
my song would go to Julius, and it would be "Always be my Baby"
hahhahaaha (Im fighting my competition Mrs.Endicott!! lol)

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.