Symbols
The “ducks in the lagoon” are a recurring symbol throughout the novel. What do they represent?
Holden’s fear of change and the unknown
What is a central theme of The Catcher in the Rye?
The struggle to preserve innocence
When Charlie says the phrase "sad sense", what device is being used?
Oxymoron
Why does Sam kiss Charlie at the Christmas party?
She wants his first kiss to mean something unlike hers did
Who is the author of The Perks of Being a Wallflower?
Stephen Chbosky
Who is Allie, and why is he significant to Holden?
Holden’s younger brother who represents innocence and loss
What theme is reflected in Holden’s relationships with Mr. Spencer, Mr. Antolini, and his parents?
The complexity of adult and child dynamics
When Charlie says, "I feel infinite," what literary device is being used?
Hyperbole
Why was Aunt Helen out on Christmas Eve?
She was buying Charlie a birthday present
What happened to Aunt Helen and who did it to her?
She was molested by a family friend
What does the Museum of Natural History symbolize for Holden?
A symbol of permanence and the unchanging nature of childhood
What lesson does Holden seem to learn by the end of the novel?
That preserving innocence is impossible
When Holden imagines himself catching children in a field of rye, what is this an example of?
Metaphor
How does Charlie’s breakdown at the end of the novel reflect the themes of trauma and healing?
It shows that healing requires revisiting past pain to move forward AND It highlights the dangers of repressing emotions.
Why does Charlie forgive Aunt Helen despite the trauma she caused him?
He wants to move past his trauma
What does Holden’s fixation on Allie’s baseball glove symbolize?
The emotional weight of loss and memory
What is one of the central themes of The Perks of Being a Wallflower?
The impact of trauma on identity
Holden often refers to things as “depressing” or “lousy.” What does this repeated language reveal about the tone of the novel?
It emphasizes Holden’s frustration and pessimism.
What realization does Charlie come to about his Aunt Helen at the end of the novel?
She was responsible for the abuse that caused his trauma.
Who does Charlie kiss during Truth or Dare?
Sam
The imagery of the carousel at the end of the novel most closely symbolizes which idea?
Life’s cyclical nature and the inevitability of growth
How does Brad and Patrick’s relationship illustrate the novel’s themes of identity and acceptance?
It highlights the challenges of being true to oneself in the face of societal pressure.
How is the phrase “we accept the love we think we deserve” an example of figurative language?
Metaphor
When Sam is giving Charlie advice about girls, she says, “Just say you’re not ready,” and Charlie asks her, “Does that work?” What is Sam’s response to his question?
"Sometimes"
What kind of novel is The Perks of Being a Wallflower?
Epistolary