"The Perks Of Being A Wallflower" Argument Essay

Should The Perks Of Being A Wallflower By Stephen ChoboskyBe Banned from School Libraries???

By Maddie Paterna class 812

Thousands of teens around the world have been in situations dealing with rape, drug and alcohol overdose. But the question is, is it because of content in certain books? No, absolutely not. Actually, they do the opposite. Like in the book The Perks Of Being A Wallflower  by Stephen Chobosky it makes teens and kids aware of the consequences they will face if they (for example) they overdose and abuse drugs and alcohol, makes them aware of rape, and helps them to learn not to bully/exclude someone from society because of their sexuality. Also, banning of these books goes against the first amendment, which ensures the freedom of speech and expression.

First of all, the book the Perks of being a Wallflower  should not be banned from middle school libraries because it teaches kids how to deal with drug and alcohol overdose and the dangers of overdose."Study has shown that because of issues in these books such as drugs and alcohol abuse, it has made kids more aware of the dangers and all the terrible things that can happen to you" (Huffington Post "Should we take these books out our children's hands?"). This quote proves that because of these books, it has made teens more aware of the consequences. In the article Banned Book Back in class Maddie Howard, a middle schooler who has read The Perks Of Being A Wallflower states "In the book  there was a lot of drugs and alcohol, which was very surprising to us, and made us realize how much drugs can ruin a kids life." This quote shows how a teen was aware of the dangers just by reading a book. 

In addition, The Perks of Being A Wallflower can teach a lot about rape. In the book Charlie witness a rape. "He reached to take off her pants but then she started to cry really hard and kept saying no." Charlie is watching this happen and doesn't know what to do, but when his mom finds out she yells at him and says that if something like that happens you have to tell someone. This part in the book shows that if you are a witness of rape you should always get help if you can. When I read this part of the book with my book club, it made me realize how awful Charlie must of felt in this situation and how he should of gotten help. This shows that this book helps you understand what to do in these situations. Also in "Dangerous Content in Books?" (Huffington post) it sates "89.46% of teens who read these books have been educated on these topics, not feeling inclined to do something on impulse." This quote shows that these books don't contain information that is harmful to the teenage mind, but has information that educates kids on these issues so that they are greater prepared in the world.

Lastly, banning these books also goes against the first amendment. The first amendment gives us the right to have freedom of speech and expression, and by banning these books from school libraries, it is taking away our right. In the article "I Will Always Buy My Children Banned books" (Huffington Post) the author states " I want children to see the dark things in the world so they are prepared for problems in the world, and that is their right to do so as stated in the first amendment." This shows that the author believes that the first amendment gives us the right to read these books. Although some people think that "Books should still be banned despite the first amendment because they are pervasively vulgar such actions would be unconstitutional" you still can't do that because that is against the constitution, and the constitution gives America it's freedom. 

It is very important for kids and teenagers to be able to have access to books like The Perks of Being a Wallflower  because it exposes them to the real world. Yes, books can be dark, vulgar, extreme, racist, gory, example cruel behavior towards gay and different people,  so can life, and there is nothing we can do to stop teens from being exposed to this darkness.

When I'm Gone: A dramatic scene

My back against the cold brick wall as I plug my your phones into my phone blasting music hoping to be unnoticed gone but my absence ceases to exist as they come walking around the corner towards me.
"Hey Troy why don't you come over and see what us big boys do."
Says the big one with broad shoulders and curly brown hair
"Unless you're too afraid." Says the other with pale skin and bleach blonde hair
I look down at my worn out black velcrow hoping to go back to my world of absence, but that is out of my abilities.
"Come on guys, let's go, he is to retarded to understand." Says the broad shouldered guy with curly brown hair.
as they walk away I hear the bronchi whisper loudly.
"Fagot"
"Wait!"
I say on impulse, slightly regretting my decission but it is too late to turn back now.
"Baby face grows up" says the broad guy. He told me his name was Adam Carevalson. And his pale friends name was "just Jacob"
Adam reaches into his backpack and tacked out a plastic Baggie filled with some plant-like substance that has been all crushed, like broken leaves. Then he takes a small piece of paper and puts the stuff laying on the paper and begins to roll it up.
"Jacob, the lighter dumbass!"
Jacob pulls out a lighter from his pocket and hands it to Adam. Adam lights the roll up thing a takes a smoke of it. The stuff is repulsive. It smells almost like a freshly skunk sprayed dog.
"Here" Adam takes the roll up skunk thing and hands it to me. I reluctantly take it.
Nervous, I say "What am I supposed to do?"
They laugh at me hysterically and then stop.
"Just suck it in bruh" Jacob says mid laugh.
So I "just suck it in" and the smoke chokes me causing me to cough and through up all over Adams Newley cleansed Air Jordans.
"That's it! I've had enough of this retard and his shit."
I get scared,
I want to run away to my world of absence but I can't.
I just...
can't.
I try to run but my brain is clouded from the poison that has filled my lungs.
I feel as if I am in a dream and you know when you can't run and your legs go limp as the threat chases you?
That is me
Helpless
Vulnerable
Alone.
I trip and fall, face first into the cold cement ground, and a pile of blood immediately floods the surface.
I look up and all I see is Adam with a chard of a brick in his hand ready to aim.
I close my eyes.
Mabey when gone I will enter my world of absence...
No, not gone...
Dead.

Interview on Feminism and Other Problems With Addie Lovell and Olivia Foote

1.) Question-When a guy calls a girl a slut because of their clothes what does it make you feel/think?

Addie Lovell-
It makes me feel that guys have no place to slut shame a girl because of their clothes. It makes me feel that annoyed when a guy takes his shirt off or reveals his body it's considered "sexy" and okay because he has nothing to hide, but when a girl shows cleavage, for example, she's considered a slut or a whore. And it doesn't determine a girls' worth

2.) Question- Why is it important for all genders to be equal?

Olivia Foote- Because it's 2014 and women still don't have the same rights as men and thats what I fight for, and what I stand for. Also, I get really pissed off that when a girl goes out with a lot of guys, she's considered a slut or a whore, but when guys go out with a lot of girls they are considered cool and "players". That is wrong in so many ways

3.)Question- Why are you a feminist? 

Addie Lovell-Because women and girls are still slut shames and called out on the streets or wherever for their clothes, because women are "worth" 23 cents to a mans dollar, because abortion isn't a given but if a women has babies young than they are called slut, because men/boys think it's okay to pressure them into having sex and all this unfairness needs to stop.

Olivia Foote- (Said roughly the same things as Addie except this one point)
… Because it makes me angry that me that when men get upset when a women decides she wants to have an abortion because she can't take care of her babies. And when they think that they are being selfish.  It's not their choice because they are not growing a baby inside of them. They need to be smart and ask themselves this question, Would you rather have a baby that you can't afford, look after, and give it A DECENT GOOD LIFE, or would you rather terminate the baby for it's own good!

4.)Question- Whats unfair about this world?
(AL)= Addie Lovell
(OF)= Olivia Foote
-Women get blamed for rape (AL)
- Men are praised for being victims of rape (OF)
-That there is such thing as rape culture (AL)
-That a 16 year old African America teenage boy was shot by a police officer because he looked "sketchy" with his hood up and then the Officer got paid 500 thousand dollars and not get indicted
-Gay marriage is illegal in some states/ places  (AL)
- A white male student can rape a female student and not get consequences (OF)
-When women take nude pictures they are "whores" but when me take nudes they are praised (AL)
-People think that sexualities like bisexual, and asexual don't really exist and are not considered "real sexualities" (AF + OF)

"Malala's Mission" Reading Response - Social issue project

In the article, "Malala's Mission", the author (Alessandra Potenza) wants the reader to know more about Malala and why you hear her name all around the world.

In this article, the social issue that it is focused on is women's rights. In the article, it states "Life changed forever for 15 year old Malala Yousafzai on oct.9th 2012. On her way home from school that day in Pakistan, two members of the Taliban flagged down her school bus, and one of the men shot her in the head. Why? Because Malala had been speaking out for girls rights since 2008…" This quote shows that Malala speaks out for women's rights to be able to have an education. The article also says that the Taliban banned TV, Music, and girls' education. This also shows how, despite these bans, Malala still speaks for her beliefs and her and other girls' rights to learn in school. " I realized girls' education is something important, and thats why the terrorists are afraid of it- because they do not want women to be empowered. Thats why I started speaking for it." Says Malala. This quote shows that Malala is a girl with a very strong opinion on why girls should be able to learn. This article has made me realize/ learn that if you believe in something, or if you think that something is wrong, you should take a stand, not just go along with everyone else.

This article made me feel angry. This article made me feel angry because don't know why the taliban would shoot a girl just because of what she believes in and what she thinks is right. I think that people should have the freedom to stand for their rights and what the believe is right and wrong, and in my opinion, it is wrong to discriminate someone for their beliefs. I think that Malala had a right to stand for the girls in her school. 

The Perks of Being A Wallflower Essay: Topic- Should this book be banned???

It seems that many kids these days think it's okay to drown their blood in alcohol and mess up their mentality with drugs. In the book, "The Perks Of Being a Wallflower" by Stephen Chbosky, it has many questionable themes and content that some adults may think is harmful to children and young adults such as drugs and alcohol abuse and rape. I disagree. I think that it is important for kids our age to be well educated on this topic so that they are aware of the dangers in the world and are "prepared" when the issue comes into play.

One of the main themes in the book is the issue of drug abuse. In the book, charlie is a teenager who is excluded from society and because of his social status, he feels like there is nothing that could ruin his life at that point, so he does drugs. For example, on page 101 of the book, Charlie takes LSD which is a hallucinogenic drug that is very dangerous to the mind. "And my mind played hopscotch… my brother… football…Brad… Dave and his girlfriend in my room… the coats…the cold…the winter… 'Autumn Leaves'…don't tell anyone you pervert…Sam and Craig…Sam…Christmas…typewriter…gift…Aunt Helen… and the trees kept moving…they just wouldn't stop moving… so I laid down and made a snow angel. The policeman found me pale blue and asleep." This quote shows how Charlie is having hallucinations and they have taken over his mind. He wasn't in complete control of his body so he laid down in the snow and almost freezes to death. Another part is on page 34 and charlie takes a pot brownie.
                                                   "Are you seeing anything Charlie?"
                                                         "Light"
                                                   "Does it feel good?"
                                                    "Uh-huh"
                                                     "Are you thirsty?"
                                                       "Uh-huh
                                                        "He's stoned"
This quote from the book shows how Charlie is high and he can't correctly use his mind. These parts of the book teach the danger of drugs to kids and teenagers, which is a reason why this book should not be banned.

Another main theme in the book is alcohol abuse with friends and at parties. On page 158, Charlie gets drunk with Patrick. "We were getting pretty drunk.
                                 'So Parker and Lily come up here one night. And they are so in love! He even            gave her is thespian pin… or something'
     " At this point, we were spitting out wine between sentences"
This quote shows how Charlie and Patrick get so drunk that the start to talk nonsense to each other. Another part in the book where Charlie has a hangover
         "It seems like every morning since that first night I wake up dull and my head hurts and I can't breathe. Patrick and I have been spending a lot of time together, and we drink a lot."
This quote clearly shows how often Patrick and Charlie get drunk when they are together. This book should not be banned because it teaches kids the medical and physical danger alcohol abuse can be.

One other theme in the book is rape and molesting. On pages 30-31 of the book 12 year old charlie innocently watches a a girl is raped in his bedroom. "He kept on touching her, and the girl says no. The more she says no, the more clothes come off her body." This quote clearly shows that the boy is doing something against the girl's will, which is rape. This scene in the book haunts Charlie throughout the course of the story. Another example is on page 204 when Charlie is lead to believe that his aunt had been molesting him when he was a young child. This terrible memory comes back to him when he was about to have sex with Sam, but then felt sick because the memory came back to him. "My brother and 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 to me." (Page 205) "I'm starting to believe that what I thought Aunt Helen was doing to me was true." These quotes show how Charlie's Aunt was taking advantage of him at a young age but he chose to block the thought out of his mind. I think that this teaches young readers to be aware of serious issues in the world.

This book should not be banned because it educates and makes young audiences become aware of the issues of drugs, alcohol, and rape. Some parents may think that it influences young readers to go out and do drugs, for example, but they are 100% wrong. Banned books such as "The Perks Of Being A Wallflower" By Stephen Chobosky makes kids not want to misuse drugs and alcohol because of the terrible outcome as shown in the book.
   
        

The Perks Of Being a Wallflower Synthesis page for Charlie

The Outcast- The outcast in the perks of being a wallflower is Charlie, the main character. In the book, Charlie is excluded by society and cant fit in with his classmates or sometimes even his own family. Charlie is constantly being beat down on whether its his sister screaming "I hate you" and calling him a pervert or his friends calling him a cruel name. Whether it's Charlies own fault that he is getting called these names or not, regardless, he is still being beaten down.

One example from the text is when Charlie kisses Sam because Patrick dared him to kiss the prettiest girl in the room, even though he is already dating Mary Elizabeth and told her she was pretty. "What the f**k is wrong with you?" (Sam) This quote shows that Sam is upset at Charlie for doing something stupid even though it was (in Charlie's mind) an impulsive decision for him to make. Another example of Charlie not being able to fit in is when he is walking down the hallway in his school and some kid exclaims '"God that kid is such a f******g freak" I heard one of the boys whisper as i was halfway down the hallway." The fact that Charlie heard the comment shows that his classmates most likely want him to know that he is a freak and doesn't belong in the school.

However, towards the end of the book he changes a little and people start to recognize Charlie for who he is. One example of this is when Charlie's sister tells him a big secret. "So, I hugged her back. It was weird, too, because I've never hugged my sister. Not when she was forced to anyway... That's when she told me she was pregnant." this part of the book shows how his sister shows Charlie that she loves him for the first time. Another part of the book that shows how people in Charlie's life cahnge is when his mother comes into his room and says to him "I really do love you, Charlie."

The Fellowship Of the Ring

Some characters are born brave, but others have to work to gain it. In the book "The Fellowship Of the Ring" by JRR Tolkein, the main character, Frodo, learns to become a leader, and becomes more brave throughout the course of the story.

In the beginning of the book, Frodo wasn't very brave. His uncle leaves him and he leaves behind his old ring which tempts you to the point where it turns you against your friends. When Gandalf tells Frodo that the ring his uncle had was the ring of power, or the "one ring to rule them all" he becomes very anxious and in denial that he has to deal with it. An example from the book is "I wish it hadn't come to me, I wish it need not happen in my time." This quote from the book shows that Frodo doesn't want to have to be responsible for the ring. This quote also shows that he is in denial of reality when he says that he wishes that the ring didn't exist in his time, even though in reality it does and he has to cope with it. After Frodo says that, Galdalf the wizard tried to give him more courage through wise words."So do I , and so do all who live to see such times, but that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us." I think that this quote gives Frodo a little realization that he has to try to be braver. This quote also shows that he is not alone in this case and a lot of people are afraid.

In the middle of the book, when Frodo is on his journey and his friends are nervous about never coming back he says, "'It's a dangerous business going out your door, Frodo' he used to say. ' You step into the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there is no knowing where you might be swept off to.'"
Now, in this case, Frodo is the one who is giving words of wisdom to his friends. This shows that he has learned that he needs to learn to deal with his fears and try to be more brave.

Towards the end of the book, Frodo is leaving his Fellowship (which he is reluctant to do but must do it for the sake of his friends live's) and Sam comes with him. They about to go into Mordor (evil society) and Sam is afraid. "How do you pick up the threads of an old life? How do you go on, when in your heart, you begin to understand, there is no going back? There are some things that time cannot mend. Some things that go too deep… that have taken hold, but my dear Sam, we must be brave." What I get from this quote is that he is telling Sam the many doubts and worries that he had (or still has some) and is saying, in despite of that, they must go on and be brave. This quote overall shows how Frodo has changed from a anxious, naive, hobbit, to a brave, mature, "soldier".