Film Portrayal of Education: The Perks of Being a Wallflower Anonymous College

The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a profound and emotionally challenging movie that attacks various nuances within the high school educational and social setting. While it is specific to one individual, Charlie, and his navigation of this new and foreign environment from an observant eye, it is accessible to any viewer in the ways in which we as humans can feel alone even when surrounded by people. It touches on his educational journey and how his shrewd intellect is at first something he wishes to hide in an effort to blend into the masses. His education throughout the film is less academic and more emotional and developmental, as we later unpack the contrast between being “book smart” and “street or socially smart.” It is a tale of the acceptance of one’s self and all of the features and aspects of ourselves that are rare and remarkable. The movie also calls its viewers to recognize the weight of their actions and words, and the power we have to influence and help someone with a single kind gesture. It asks the question in what ways are our school classrooms promoting their students’ participation and involvement. How do we change the social culture of a corrupt environment?

The first thing we took note of is the very...