27 activities such as sleeping and eating engage little space in the novels while love
is greatly over-represented. Forster divided characters into two which are flat character and round
character. Flat character draws a single idea or quality and is presented without much individualizing detail. Flat character can be practically sufficiently
described in a single phrase or sentence. While round character is complex in temperament and motivation and is presented with slight uniqueness.
According to Abrams 1999, Charlie is one of the characters in The Perks of Being a Wallflower. Charlie is presented in the novel and his characteristics can
be interpreted through his way of saying and his behaviour. According to Forster, Charlie is categorized as a round character. Charlie’s characteristics cannot be
described in a single phrase or sentence. His characteristics are described through the conflicts that appear in the novel. Charlie undergoes a changing personality
throughout the story. In the beginning of the story, Charlie is afraid of starting high school. He always worries how to fit in with the other people and enjoys
observing people from afar instead of participating. He also has difficulties in figuring himself out. He is confused of himself and does not know what he really
wants to do in life. However, during the story, he faces a lot of events that involves in changing his characteristic. Charlie meets Sam, Patrick and Bill as
well as his psychiatrist, from whom Charlie receives encouragement. In the end of the story, Charlie is no longer confused of himself. He is able to really feel
himself. He knows where he stands and what to do in his life. Charlie even says that he feels infinite and is not afraid to start high school. He states that he will no
28 longer write letters since he will be busy participating. The chang
e in Charlie’s characteristic shows that he belongs to round character.
To find out how to characterize a character, the theory of characterization by Murphy is applied. Murphy 1972 states that there are nine ways in which an
author attempts to describe his characters to be understandable and more alive for the readers. The nine ways are personal description, character as seen as by
another, speech, past life, conversation of others, reaction, direct comment, thought, and mannerism.
In this part, the explanation about Charlie’s characteristics is explained.
1. Honest
Charlie is an honest person. He always says the truth of what he thinks about other people or things. Even though there are several occasions where it is
better for Charlie to lie to either avoid hurting himself or other people, he keeps saying the truth. Charlie’s honesty is told through his reaction.
I keep quiet most of the time, and only one kid named Sean really seemed to notice me. He waited for me after gym class and said really immature
things like how he was going to give me a swirlie, which is where someone sticks your head in the toilet and flushes to make your hair swirl
around. He seemed pretty unhappy as well, and I told him so. Then, he got mad and started hitting me, and I just did the things my brother taught me
to do. My brother is a very good fighter p. 7.
The conversation above shows that Charlie is an honest person. Sean tells Charlie that he will stick Charlie’s head in the toilet. It sounds like a threat for Charlie.
However, despite of being afraid and saying nothing, Charlie tells Sean that he is not happy. It is Charlie’s honest thought which leads Sean in anger and he starts
29 hitting Charlie. Actually Charlie can refrain from talking back to Sean but he
prefers to say out his honest thought and cause them into a fight. Another evidence of Charlie’s honesty can be seen through the
conversation below. The conversation occurs between Charlie and Sam. It happens in Big Boy where Charlie, Sam and Patrick hang out together for the first
time after they finish watching a football match. Whats your favorite movie?
I dont know really. Theyre all the same to me. How about your favorite book?
This Side of Paradise by Scott Fitzgerald. Why?
Because it was the last one I read. This made them laugh because they knew I meant it honest, not show-off
p. 20.
Charlie is attracted to Sam since their first meeting which happens not long before
the conversation occurs. They are having conversation to know each other better and Charlie answers Sam’s question honestly. It can be seen that Charlie does not
tell lies when telling Sam about his favorite movie and book. He does not make himself look like somebody else. He does not keep his image high in front of Sam.
In conclusion, according to Murphy 1972, Charlie’s honest characteristic is shown through his reaction and speech. Charlie is always honest when telling
what he has in his mind. He is just being himself by telling the truth.
2. Thoughtful
Charlie often has a lot of things to be thought in his mind whether he is alone or with somebody else. He often thinks deeply and imagines what will
happen in someone else’s life. Charlie and his friends recognize that he often PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
30 thinks too much to avoid participating. The evidence that Charlie is thoughtful can
be seen in his thought below. But I guess I did worry about it. Ive been worrying about it ever since he
told me. I look at people holding hands in the hallways, and I try to think about how it all works. At the school dances, I sit in the background, and I
tap my toe, and I wonder how many couples will dance to their song. In the hallways, I see the girls wearing the guys jackets, and I think about the
idea of property. And I wonder if anyone is really happy. I hope they are. I really hope they are pp. 23-24.
Charlie’s perception above occurs when Patrick tells Charlie that in relationship between guys and girls, girls think they can change guys. After they do change the
guys, they would get bored. Charlie is concerned about that. He wonders how relationship between boys and girls work. He wonders whether couples are really
happy. He really hopes that they are really happy and not just pretending to be happy.
Another clue which shows that Charlie is thoughtful can be seen in his thought below.
I dont want to think about Sam leaving just yet, but I did wonder what would happen if she and my brother ever started dating, which is stupid
because they are nothing alike, and Sam is in love with Craig. I have to stop doing this p. 168.
These are Charlie’s thought when knowing that Sam will go to Penn State, the college where his brother also goes to. Charlie is in love with Sam. Charlie is not
ready knowing the fact that Sam will leave him for her study. He starts wondering what will happen if Sam and his brother are dating. However, he realizes that he
knows it will not happen since Sam and his brother is the opposite. Charlie’s brother still plays around with girls a lot while Sam looks for a more mature guy.
Furthermore, Sam is still dating Craig and Charlie knows that she will not cheat PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
