The Perks of Being a Wallflower
by Stephen Chbosky
Themes and Colors
Trauma, Abuse, and Mental Health Theme Icon
Relationships and Intimacy Theme Icon
Masculinity and Violence Theme Icon
Healing and Self-discovery through Literature and Writing Theme Icon
Adolescence and Transformation Theme Icon
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Perks of Being a Wallflower, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Relationships and Intimacy Theme Icon
Relationships and Intimacy Theme Icon

Charlie’s experiences throughout his first year of high school re-shape his understanding of relationships and intimacy, transforming him from an emotionally numb and isolated boy to an affectionate young man with several healthy, intimate relationships. Charlie’s initial difficulty with intimacy springs from growing up in a household in which expressing affection was taboo, as well as from his childhood molestation at the hands of his beloved Aunt Helen. Because of this, Charlie has to relearn the boundaries between intimacy and abuse, figuring out what kinds of relationships are good for him and which are harmful. Furthermore, since Charlie hasn’t seen many healthy relationships, he believes at first that passivity and putting others before himself are the surest ways to demonstrate his care for his friends. Through his friendships, however, Charlie discovers that loving and respecting himself is a prerequisite for having healthy relationships with others, and that love is an essential resource for cultivating happiness and coping with hardship.

For most of Charlie’s life, the examples he had for loving relationships either lacked outward affection or were abuse masked as care. Several times throughout the novel, Charlie comments on how his family doesn't hug or say “I love you” often. His father treats his emotions like carefully guarded secrets, and his mother, who will cry publicly, doesn’t speak very often, much less say how she feels. Charlie’s older siblings also refrain to openly showing care for one another, and regularly hurl insults at each other. Charlie’s grandfather, like many men, was taught that anger is the only appropriate emotion for men to express. Therefore, when Charlie kisses his grandfather’s cheek, his grandfather wipes the kiss away, showing disdain for open affection, especially between men. In a family reluctant to show affection, Aunt Helen was the only one who hugged Charlie. But because he was sexually abused by the only family member who regularly showed him warmth and affection, his perception of intimacy is warped, as it has become conflated with abuse. Adding to the trauma of his abuse, his cold family environment discouraged him from talking about his emotions and experiences, so he carried his trauma in silence, making him feel all the more alone.

While Charlie’s family is generally cold, his new friends and mentors at school love him and want to be close with him, which helps Charlie come to a better understanding of how to build healthy relationships. After Charlie tells Bill, his English teacher, that his sister’s boyfriend hit her, Bill says, “Charlie, we accept the love we think we deserve,” which is illuminating to Charlie. He had never considered before that, in order to have good relationships with other people, one must fist have a good relationship with oneself.

The freedom of adolescence and his supportive peer group provide spaces in which Charlie can explore intimacy as well as sexuality. He shares his first kiss with Sam, and from there, he progresses to his first consensual sexual experience with Mary Elizabeth. These experiences are gentle and without the predatory power dynamic in which Charlie’s aunt Helen placed him. Because of this, Charlie is able to rediscover intimacy with young women his age. Still, despite Charlie’s tremendous progress in building healthy relationships with others, he struggles in the situations in which intimacy is most complex. For example, though Charlie begins engaging in consensual intimacy, he still doesn’t know how to reject unwanted advances. When Patrick kisses him, Charlie just lets it happen, thinking that’s what friends do, but Sam later explains to him that participating in relationships requires honesty and action. She says, “You can’t just sit there and put everybody’s lives ahead of yours and think that counts as love…You have to do things.” This is perhaps the first time that someone else has called out Charlie’s flawed view of relationships and taken the time to help him fix it.

Though Charlie has learned about the importance of honesty in relationships, he can’t bring himself to be honest and break up with Mary Elizabeth for fear of hurting her. Instead, he lets his resentment of her gradually build until he chooses to be “honest” at precisely the wrong moment by kissing Sam instead of Mary Elizabeth during truth or dare. Charlie also struggles with applying his newfound relationship wisdom to his cold and silent family, and when he takes action to safeguard his sister—by confessing to Bill that her boyfriend hit her—she tells him that she hates him and stops speaking to him for a while. At times, Charlie’s efforts to love his family only make him feel more ostracized. Eventually, however, when Charlie’s sister becomes pregnant and decides to get an abortion, Charlie takes care of her and drives her to the clinic. This moment of working through difficulty together brings them closer, and afterwards the chilly family atmosphere dissipates a little—they even say “I love you” to each other more often.

Charlie’s traumatic childhood experiences skewed his understanding of intimacy from an early age, and his family’s aloof dynamic only deepened his inability to reciprocate affection. However, once he enters adolescence and finds a new friend group, he has increased freedom to relearn relationship dynamics and explore healthy forms of intimacy. In his relationships with his friends, Charlie learns that he is deserving of love and capable of reciprocating it, even when that proves more complicated (as it often does) than passively placing their desires in front of his own.

Related Themes from Other Texts
Compare and contrast themes from other texts to this theme…

Relationships and Intimacy ThemeTracker

The ThemeTracker below shows where, and to what degree, the theme of Relationships and Intimacy appears in each part of The Perks of Being a Wallflower. Click or tap on any chapter to read its Summary & Analysis.
How often theme appears:
part length:
Get the entire The Perks of Being a Wallflower LitChart as a printable PDF.
"My students can't get enough of your charts and their results have gone through the roof." -Graham S.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower PDF

Relationships and Intimacy Quotes in The Perks of Being a Wallflower

Below you will find the important quotes in The Perks of Being a Wallflower related to the theme of Relationships and Intimacy.

Part 1 Quotes

So, this is my life. And I want you to know that I am both happy and sad and I’m still trying to figure out how that could be.

Related Characters: Charlie (speaker)
Page Number and Citation: 2
Explanation and Analysis:
Charlie is writing his first letter to the anonymous reader and explains why he’s writing to them. Though he wishes to remain unknown to the reader, he needs someone to talk to about his life, which at the moment feels particularly difficult because Charlie is conflicted over feeling both happy and sad. His confusion over those emotions suggests that he doesn’t know that it’s natural to be both things at the same time. Furthermore, it seems that Charlie can’t talk to anyone else about the way he’s feeling. These letters appear to be a way for Charlie to tell someone Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam vo

Some kids look at me strange in the hallways because I don’t decorate my locker, and I’m the one who beat up Sean and couldn’t stop crying after he did it. I guess I’m pretty emotional.

Related Characters: Charlie (speaker)
Page Number and Citation: 8
Explanation and Analysis:
Charlie recognizes that the other kids at school think he’s strange and understands which of his behaviors they find odd, suggesting that he’s perceptive and quite attuned to social cues. By admitting that he’s pretty emotional, he indicates that the things others find strange about him are things he can’t change because they’re just part of who he is. These observations and admissions make Charlie seem very vulnerable, and the reader gets the sense that he’s being much more honest in his letters than he might be with someone he knows. The fact that Charlie beat up another kid who Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea s

I walked into the kitchen, and I saw my dad making a sandwich…and crying. He was crying harder than even my mom. And I couldn’t believe it. When he finished making his sandwich, he put away the things in the refrigerator and stopped crying and wiped his eyes and saw me. Then, he walked up, patted my shoulder, and said, “This is our little secret, okay, champ?”

“Okay,” I said.

Related Characters: Charlie (speaker), Charlie’s Dad
Page Number and Citation: 17
Explanation and Analysis:
This scene is a memory of Charlie’s during which his whole family watches the last episode of M*A*S*H together. While Charlie’s mom and sister openly cry during the show, Charlie’s father feels the need to hide his tears from his family. By asking Charlie to keep his crying secret, Charlie’s dad imparts the notion that emotions are something that men hide from others. Charlie agrees to keep his dad’s secret, feeling like that shared information makes them feel more connected, although he later realizes the emotional weight of carrying other people’s secrets, like this one. Knowing that Charlie’s dad doesn’t Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollit

Charlie, we accept the love we think we deserve.

Related Characters: Bill (speaker), Charlie, Charlie’s Sister
Page Number and Citation: 24
Explanation and Analysis:
Bill says this to Charlie after Charlie tells him about his sister being hit by her boyfriend and continuing to date him afterwards. As Charlie tries to make sense of why people have the relationships they do, Bill succinctly informs him that much of it has to do with the way those people feel about themselves. With this statement, Bill implies that in order to have good relationships with other people, one must first have a good relationship with oneself. This idea is an overarching concept that Charlie continues to revisit throughout the novel as he navigates various relationships. It Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea sus

I feel infinite.

Related Characters: Charlie (speaker), Patrick, Sam
Related Symbols: Music
Page Number and Citation: 33
Explanation and Analysis:
Charlie makes this bold declaration as he sits between Patrick and Sam in Sam’s pickup truck after the homecoming dance as they drive to a party. As he sits between his two new friends listening to a good song, Charlie feels such a profound sense of connection and belonging that he feels boundless. After he says this, Patrick and Sam look at him as though he just said the greatest thing, and this look lets Charlie know that they feel something similar. For a boy who only a few weeks earlier was scared of starting high school alone, Charlie has Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam volu

“He’s something, isn’t he?”

Bob nodded his head. Patrick then said something I don’t think I’ll ever forget.

“He’s a wallflower.”

And Bob really nodded his head. And the whole room nodded their head. And I started to feel nervous in the Bob way, but Patrick didn’t let me get too nervous. He sat down next to me.

“You see things. You keep quiet about them. And you understand.”

Related Characters: Charlie (speaker), Patrick (speaker)
Page Number and Citation: 37
Explanation and Analysis:
At Charlie’s first party, he unknowingly eats a cannabis brownie and then accidentally walks in on Patrick and Brad kissing. Charlie agrees to keep their secret and returns to the party. Patrick sees Charlie for who he is, a wallflower, and appreciates his sensitivity and discretion. For the second time this year, Charlie is recognized as special. Though the attention initially makes Charlie uncomfortable, Patrick has a knack for making Charlie feel welcomed and accepted, and Patrick uses this moment at the party to make Charlie feel “seen” in a way he hasn't felt seen before. Usually fading into the Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam vol

Part 2  Quotes

I have decided that maybe I want to write when I grow up. I just don’t know what I would write.

Related Characters: Charlie (speaker), Bill
Related Symbols: Books
Page Number and Citation: 46
Explanation and Analysis:
After improving on his writing assignments for Bill and eventually earning a B on his latest paper, Charlie feels encouraged in his literary skills enough to consider writing as his future profession. By reading the books about other young people struggling through their coming-of-age experiences and writing about them, Charlie is developing a stronger sense of self, and Bill’s encouragement plays a vital role in this process. Charlie also gains an additional sense of belonging by beginning to think of himself as a writer, which gives him a new community of people to identify with. It also gives him a Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam offic

Sometimes, I look at my parents now and wonder what happened to make them the way they are. And I wonder what will happen to my sister when her boyfriend graduates from law school. And what my brother’s face will look like on a football card, or what it will look like if it is never on a football card. My dad played college baseball for two years, but he had to stop when Mom got pregnant with my brother. That’s when he started working at the office.

Related Characters: Charlie (speaker), Charlie’s Mom, Charlie’s Brother, Charlie’s Sister, Charlie’s Dad
Page Number and Citation: 52
Explanation and Analysis:
Knowing that his parents became unexpectedly pregnant at a young age, Charlie realizes that adolescence and early adulthood are often when people have their most life-changing experiences, like his parents. It seems that Charlie’s dad now lives vicariously through the athletic success of his oldest son, since he had to sacrifice his own athletic career. And Charlie wonders what his brother would look like if he, like his father, enters adulthood with unfulfilled dreams. Because Charlie’s sister is making future plans with her abusive boyfriend, Charlie worries about what will happen to her if they actually follow through with those Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae v

When we were all getting ready to leave, I walked up to my grandfather and gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek. He wiped my lip print off with his palm and gave me a look. He doesn’t like the boys in the family to touch him. But I’m very glad that I did it anyway in case he dies. I never got to do that with my Aunt Helen.

Related Characters: Charlie (speaker), Aunt Helen, Charlie’s Grandfather
Page Number and Citation: 60
Explanation and Analysis:
This moment occurs on Thanksgiving after Charlie’s family watches a recording of his brother play football. While everyone else is smiling, Charlie notices his grandfather crying, clearly overwhelmed with pride at his grandson’s success. Charlie realizes that, for all his flaws, his grandfather is a complicated person whom he loves. Wanting to communicate his affection for his grandfather, Charlie hugs and kisses him, as family members often do, but Charlie’s attempt to demonstrate care is poorly received. Because his grandfather subscribes to a traditional, homophobic conception of masculinity, tenderness between male family members makes him uncomfortable, and he reacts like Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesci

I had an amazing feeling when I finally held the tape in my hand. I just thought to myself that in the palm of my hand, there was this one tape that had all of these memories and feelings and great joy and sadness. Right there in the palm of my hand. And how many people got through a lot of bad times because of those songs. And how many people enjoyed good times with those songs.

Related Characters: Charlie (speaker), Patrick
Related Symbols: Music
Page Number and Citation: 62
Explanation and Analysis:
For his first Secret Santa gift to Patrick, Charlie makes him a mixtape of carefully chosen songs. Charlie’s choice to give Patrick a collection of songs illustrates the importance of music in the novel to create shared experiences between characters. Charlie explains how so many other people have memories and feelings associated with those songs and that makes them all connected in a way. With just a small cassette, Charlie is showing Patrick emotional support and affection that can’t be expressed in words. The music is also a way for Patrick and Charlie to bond over their similar musical tastes Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut.

It was an old 45 record that had the Beatles’ song “Something.” I used to listen to it all the time when I was little and thinking about grown-up things. I would go to my bedroom window and stare at my reflection in the glass and the trees behind it and just listen to the song for hours. I decided then that when I met someone I thought was as beautiful as the song, I should give it to that person. And I didn’t mean beautiful on the outside. I meant beautiful in all ways. So, I was giving it to Sam.

Related Characters: Charlie (speaker), Aunt Helen, Sam
Related Symbols: Music
Page Number and Citation: 68-69
Explanation and Analysis:
Again, Charlie uses music to communicate care to the people he loves. He gives this special record to Sam for Christmas because it was the last gift his Aunt Helen had given to him. By choosing to give Sam the record he received as a gift from his beloved aunt, Charlie passes on the love implicit in the gift and signals that Charlie’s favorite person has transitioned from Aunt Helen to Sam. As with his mixtape for Patrick, Charlie feels that certain songs can represent his relationship to other people, so it’s fitting that he would give the most beautiful Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Pr

“I want to make sure that the first person you kiss loves you. Okay?”

“Okay.”

Related Characters: Charlie (speaker), Sam (speaker)
Page Number and Citation: 70
Explanation and Analysis:
After Charlie gives her the record, Sam thanks Charlie and tells him that she loves him, making it clear that his love is reciprocated. Later that evening, she makes this statement, telling him that she wants his first kiss to be from someone who loves him. In this way, Sam provides an opening for Charlie to have his first intimate experience as a teenager that is consensual and loving. Nothing is forced, especially since Sam asks “okay?” before they do anything, letting Charlie know that “no” is also an option if he isn’t ready. As both an older girl with Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam conseq

Part 3 Quotes

I feel like a big faker because I’ve been putting my life back together, and nobody knows.

Related Characters: Charlie (speaker)
Page Number and Citation: 100
Explanation and Analysis:
After experiencing mounting depression over the holidays, Charlie took LSD at a party and was found the next morning sleeping in the snow by policemen. Afraid of what his parents will think, he doesn't tell anyone about his drug use or admit how bad his mental health issues have really gotten even though he begins seeing a psychiatrist again. Back at school, Charlie experiences lingering effects from the LSD but doesn’t tell anyone, trying to pull himself together without anyone noticing, and his pretending makes him feel like a “faker.” Putting his life back together is also an enormous undertaking Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo min

I don't know what it was, and I know we didn't really accomplish

anything, but it felt great to sit there and talk about our place in things. It was like when Bill told me to “participate.” I went to the homecoming dance like I told you before, but this was much more fun. It was especially fun to think that people all over the world were having similar conversations in their equivalent of the Big Boy.

Related Characters: Charlie (speaker), Mary Elizabeth, Sam, Patrick
Related Symbols: Books
Page Number and Citation: 105-106
Explanation and Analysis:
Finally acting on Bill’s advice to participate more, Charlie jumps into a conversation with his friends. When they respond well to what he says, he feels a strong sense of inclusion, realizing how good it feels just to engage in such discussions. Charlie thinks about how the characters in This Side of Paradise have a conversation similar to the one he’s having with his friends, but those characters lived in the 1920s. Realizing that other people in different times and different parts of the world discuss the same things gives Charlie a greater sense of connectedness with humanity in general. Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea susci

I won't go into detail about the whole show, but I had the best time I ever had in my whole life. I'm not kidding. I got to pretend that I was singing, and I got to dance around, and I got to wear a “feather boa” in the grande finale, which I wouldn't have thought anything of because it's part of the show, but Patrick couldn't stop talking about it.

Related Characters: Charlie (speaker), Patrick
Page Number and Citation: 110
Explanation and Analysis:
After Craig doesn’t show up for a performance, Charlie gets roped into playing the role of Rocky in The Rocky Horror Picture Show, and the performance allows Charlie to be vulnerable in the spotlight while also enjoying the support of his peers. This moment is significant in the novel because Charlie sheds his wallflower-like shyness to perform in front of an audience in a gold bathing suit. Like when Patrick toasted to Charlie at an earlier party, Charlie realizes again how good it can feel to be seen, especially within an accepting community. Playing Rocky also allows Charlie to be Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tem

Just before she fell asleep, she said, "Well, if you're going to smoke, crack the window at least." Which made me start laughing again.

"Charlie, smoking. I can't believe it."

Which made me laugh harder, and I said, "I love you." And my sister said, "I love you, too. Just stop it with the laughing already."

Related Characters: Charlie (speaker), Charlie’s Sister
Page Number and Citation: 119-120
Explanation and Analysis:
When Charlie’s sister decides to get an abortion after she unexpectedly becomes pregnant and her boyfriend dumps her, Charlie supports her and drives her to and from the clinic. While he waits for her, he feels overwhelmed with worry and sits in the car chain-smoking. His sister is shocked when she finds out he smokes. Charlie laughs when his sister scolds him for smoking because it seems like a silly thing to focus on after having just gone through something as major as an abortion. Instead of making her feel ashamed or judged for her choices, Charlie shows his love Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium r

I could say that it was the wine or the beer that I chugged. I could also say that I had forgotten the time Mary Elizabeth asked me if I thought she was pretty. But I would be lying. The truth is that when Patrick dared me, I knew that if I kissed Mary Elizabeth, I would be lying to everyone. Including Sam. Including Patrick. Including Mary Elizabeth. And I just couldn't do it anymore. Even if it was part of a game.

Related Characters: Charlie (speaker), Mary Elizabeth, Patrick, Sam
Page Number and Citation: 135
Explanation and Analysis:
During a party, Charlie and his friends play truth or dare. Not wanting to be forced to tell Mary Elizabeth that he wants to break up with her, Charlie chooses dare for the whole game, and eventually, Patrick dares Charlie to “kiss the prettiest girl in the room.” Charlie’s dare, however, prompts him to reveal his carefully-avoided truth without having to speak it, and the aftermath of his action demonstrates the serious consequences of choosing exactly the wrong way and moment to finally be honest. Instead of only temporarily hurting Mary Elizabeth by telling her he didn’t want to date Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. V

Part 4 Quotes

“You ever think, Charlie, that our group is the same as any other group like the football team? And the only real difference between us is what we wear and why we wear it?”

“Yeah?” And there was this pause.

“Well, I think it's all bullshit.”

And he meant it. It was hard to see him mean it that much.

Related Characters: Charlie (speaker), Patrick (speaker)
Page Number and Citation: 155
Explanation and Analysis:
After his violent fight with Brad at school, Patrick stops playing Frank ‘N Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show performances, sitting in the audience with Charlie instead and expressing his newfound cynicism. Clearly having lost much of his faith in people, Patrick declares that everyone is really the same, and any differences are just superficial, like clothing. Patrick’s decision to quit the show coupled with his dark comments indicate that his fight with Brad has deeply affected him, making him feel jaded not only with his relationship but with his peers generally. This declaration signals Patrick’s downward spiral as Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptat

So, he said “thanks” and hugged me again. And moved in to kiss me again. And I just let him. I don't know why. We stayed in his car for a long time.

Related Characters: Charlie (speaker), Patrick
Page Number and Citation: 160
Explanation and Analysis:
After spending a night out drinking and exploring the city with Patrick, Charlie lets Patrick, who is in a confused and vulnerable emotional state, kiss him, thinking that’s just what friends do. Charlie’s reasoning for letting Patrick kiss him once again illustrates his misunderstanding of how true friendship works, as he thinks passively putting others’ needs before his demonstrates friendship more than simply being honest. Though he has made much progress recently in his relationships, he doesn’t know how to reject unwanted advances and thinks the safest way to support Patrick is to sit passively and allow Patrick to kiss Dolor

“Charlie. Please don't take this the wrong way. I'm not trying to make you feel uncomfortable. I just want you to know that you're very special . . . and the only reason I'm telling you is that I don't know if anyone else ever has.”

Related Characters: Bill (speaker), Charlie
Page Number and Citation: 181
Explanation and Analysis:
During lunch at Bill’s house, Bill takes the opportunity to tell Charlie how gifted he is, and that Bill feels honored to have been Charlie’s teacher. As perhaps the most important male authority figure in Charlie’s life, Bill sets a positive example for Charlie that men can also be sensitive, smart, and openly appreciative of one another. Clearly Bill knows that Charlie doesn’t receive very much validation, and his praise of Charlie is perhaps the most significant interaction he’s had with an adult since Aunt Helen died. Bill’s caution in making such a statement, however, reveals his awareness at the Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delec

“Charlie, don't you get it? I can't feel that. It's sweet and everything, but it's like you're not even there sometimes. It's great that you can listen and be a shoulder to someone, but what about when someone doesn't need a shoulder. What if they need the arms or something like that? You can't just sit there and put everybody's lives ahead of yours and think that counts as love. You just can't. You have to do things.”

Related Characters: Sam (speaker), Charlie
Page Number and Citation: 200
Explanation and Analysis:
While Charlie helps Sam pack for college, she asks him why he never asked her out after she broke up with Craig. Charlie tells her he didn’t know if that would make her happy and her happiness was more important to him than his own. Now that Charlie is finally articulating for someone his flawed understanding of how relationships work, Sam explains to him that participating in relationships requires honesty and action. This is perhaps the first time that someone else has called out Charlie’s timidity regarding his relationships and taken the time to help him address it. In explaining Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expe

“I can't do that anymore. I'm sorry,” I said.

“It's okay, Charlie. Just go to sleep,” Sam said.

But I wasn't talking to Sam anymore. I was talking to someone else. When I fell asleep, I had this dream. My brother and my sister and I were watching television with my Aunt Helen. Everything was in slow motion. The sound was thick. And she was doing what Sam was doing. That's when I woke up. And I didn't know what the hell was going on.

Related Characters: Sam (speaker), Charlie (speaker), Aunt Helen
Page Number and Citation: 203-204
Explanation and Analysis:
After Charlie and Sam kiss and Sam touches Charlie’s penis, he immediately stops her and seems to experience something of a breakdown. Unable to drive home, he falls asleep on her couch, apologizing to “someone” for not being able to continue. Charlie’s severely negative reaction to an act of consensual intimacy suggests that someone touching his penis has triggered a repressed memory. As he drifts off, he seems to regress into that memory, talking to whomever it was who last touched him that way. Charlie’s dream about Aunt Helen molesting him as a child provides the first clear indication that Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea