Characters

The main character in The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky is Charlie, who is also the narrator. He is a 15-year-old boy who is trying to navigate life at high school while overcoming the trauma of being sexually abused as a child. 

The two other main characters are Charlie’s new friends Patrick and Sam, who are stepsiblings. They are three years above Charlie at school and they introduce him to new experiences, such as masturbation, alcohol, and drugs. Charlie is in love with Sam, who reveals to him that she was sexually abused as a child. Patrick is in a secret relationship with Brad, a popular boy on the football team. 

In addition, Charlie’s narration explores his relationships with his older brother and sister, his parents, and his teacher Bill. Charlie also repeatedly refers to his Aunt Helen, who died several years ago in a car crash. Charlie loved her and feels guilty for her death, but also explains that she had drug, alcohol, and mental health problems. It is eventually revealed that Aunt Helen sexually abused Charlie when he was young.