Blog 5: Tirza Scheffer
The Perks
of Being a Wallflower looks at how being bullied can affect a person for many
years, and how it can impact their life as an adult. Charlie is a shy teenager
who keeps his past hidden. Charlie is not the typical "bullying
victim" because he has had years of family trauma, which has caused him to
feel anxious and depressed. These experiences shape how he sees the world and
himself, showing that bullying isn't just something that happens at school but
can come from home and last long after high school.
In the
movie, Charlie starts to make new friends, but problems from his past soon find
him. The trauma he suffered from his family and a past abusive relationship is
triggered, leading to flashbacks that disrupt his present. This shows how
bullying can leave lasting scars that you can't see, but which can still badly
affect someone's mental health. Charlie is still in pain, even though he's not
at school anymore. In fact, it's clear that unresolved trauma can follow
someone throughout their life, influencing their relationships and behavior.
The film
also shows how bullying can lead to more violence. The way Charlie's family
interacts with each other is a big part of the problem. The emotional harm he
faces at home makes it hard for him to escape the cycle of abuse. This makes
bullying a bigger issue. It shows that it is often connected to bigger problems
in a person's environment. It's not just about what happens at school; it's
about the wider context of a person's life that shapes their experience.
I think the
film does a great job of showing how mental health and bullying are connected.
It's easy to think of bullying as something that happens in a specific time and
place, but this movie shows that the emotional scars can last much longer. It's
not just something that happens at high school, but something that people may
carry with them throughout life.
In the end,
The Perks of Being a Wallflower teaches us that bullying doesn't end once
school is over. The emotional damage can last much longer, and it's not as easy
to "move on" from this. It's important to deal with past traumas, ask
for help, and learn how to manage the long-term effects.
Reference:
Wikipedia contributors. (2025, 7 april). The Perks of Being a Wallflower. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Perks_of_Being_a_Wallflower
I really liked how you explained that bullying and trauma are not just things that happen in school as they can be rooted in deeper family dynamics and last far into adulthood. I completely agree, and your analysis of Charlie’s story brings attention to how emotional pain can remain hidden for years.
ReplyDeleteAlso, your post made me think about how we sometimes overlook the internalisation of bullying. Charlie’s character doesn’t show anger or aggression; instead, he turns his pain inward, which connects to the concept of internalising symptoms we saw in class like anxiety, depression, or withdrawal. I think the film shows really well that trauma doesn’t always lead to outward behavioural issues. Sometimes, it makes people feel broken or disconnected on the inside, and that’s just as serious. Something else that came to mind is how teachers and school staff are almost invisible in the movie. That silence says a lot. It made me reflect on the responsibility of adults in detecting emotional suffering, not just physical bullying. We talk a lot about peer relationships, but emotional neglect from adults or institutions can also contribute to the long-term damage.
Moreover, your post reminded me of a video I recently watched, where a woman apologised to her former victim 15 years after bullying her in school. The emotional reaction from both sides was incredibly strong, and it clearly showed how unresolved harm can stay with someone for a lifetime, which closely mirrors Charlie’s experience. In both cases, what helps the healing process is having someone who listens, acknowledges the pain, and creates space for emotional expression.
Thank you for your thoughtful post. I think it really opens up the conversation about how complex bullying is, and how important it is to look beyond surface behaviours and consider the emotional histories people carry with them.