Charlie And Perks Of Being A Wallflower Comparison Essay

As protagonists of two iconic coming-of-age novels, Miles and Charlie have a lot in common. Their similar situations and personalities help create Looking for Alaska and Perks of Being a Wallflower, two novels very popular among teenagers for being relatable to a certain level and providing a fun reading experience. Nevertheless, differences can be found between the two of them, such as their social conduct, their childhood, and last but not least, a crucial event, outcome of their new high school life. A common theme between both novels is their awkward male protagonist. Miles and Charlie have endured a painful school experience due to their social awkwardness and difficulty making close friends. However, their social conduct is caused by different reasons. Miles awkwardness is nothing out of the ordinary, a
Both relationships are fundamental aspects throughout the book, and they deal with it in similar ways, but in both cases their uncontrollable crush leads to a climax in the novels. Even though they’re having new experiences with new friends, they’re still new at it, and it causes them to make a wrong decision from which there was no going back. In Perks of Being a Wallflower, Charlie is dared to kiss the prettiest girl in the room, but his overpowering crush for Sam compels him to kiss her instead of his girlfriend, who was sitting right next to him. His bold move gets him kicked out of the group, sending him into a deep depression. In Looking for Alaska, Miles doesn’t think twice when Alaska tells him to help her escape school in the middle of the night, and the wrong call gets her killed. Both protagonists reach their lowest point in this moment, however, they come out stronger. Charlie is eventually welcomed back when he stands up for his friend, and Miles relationship with the Colonel becomes stronger than