I love how the author covers all the bases of teenage problems in the story. He emphasizes sexuality with Brad and Patrick's relationship. He also talks about the consequences of exploring sexuality, such as when Brad's father beat him or when Brad screams "faggot" (146). Drugs are referenced multiple times when Charlie becomes addicted to pot or when he tries LSD (146, 100). Charlie also becomes heavily reliant on alcohol and cigarettes as the book progresses. Sex is also an underlying message and Charlie jumps into sex too quickly with Mary Elizabeth and then too slowly with Sam (130, 202). Depression is also intertwined in each page and Charlie continually reaches a dark place where he cannot control what he is thinking. Each theme is dark and in uncharted territory for Charlie, but he makes the accidents and mistakes that teens are prone to more relatable.
I do not know how to comment so I am just going to add on down here. Adding to the idea of sexuality struggles in adolescents, I am confused as to what what going on inside Charlies head when he kisses Patrick in the car. Charlie has not shown any other interest in men prior to that point. I think this action just shows clearly how lonely and desperate he is for human attention and affection that he would take whatever form of affection he could get. (CR)
*hits RT* *hits Like*
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