Wallflowers
editA generally shy and soft-spoken person who is an introvert at heart. They choose to remain out of the spotlight at social gatherings and tend to stick to who they know. The word was first used, according to the Oxford English Dictionary (2nd ed), the first known usage of the term in this sense was in an 1820 poem entitled County Ball by Winthrop Mackworth Praed. It was originally used to refer to women, and only in the context of dances; more recently the term has been expanded to include men and other social gatherings.
Introverts
editA wallflower is a person with an introvert personality. They show all the characteristics of being an introvert but it specifically deals with them in social situations like parties. Introverts share many qualities that coexist with being a wallflower. This group of people share a love of introspection, need for solitude, and a more in depth approach to communicating. These traits carry on to a person at a social gathering and is then labeled as a wallflower. Susan Cain, author of Quiet: The Power Of Introverts In A World That Can’t Stop Talking explains: “Introverts may have strong social skills and enjoy parties and business meetings, but after a while wish they were home in their pajamas. They prefer to devote their social energies to close friends, colleagues, and family.”[1] Being in huge social gatherings for an extended period of time drains them of energy. They might like to talk to people but after a while they crave that alone time and solitude to reflect.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
editThe Perks of being a Wallflower is a coming-of-age novel written by Stephen Chbosky. The story follows a freshman in high school named Charlie. It takes the reader on a journey with Charlie and how he faces the challenges of being a teenager while being an introverted wallflower. Charlie thinks differently than the typical teenager, he doesn’t have many friends and is okay with it. The reader learns more about Charlie as he writes a series of letters to an unknown person.[2] According to David Edelstein of the New York Magazine, Chbosky captures the "feeling [that] you belong when among friends, yet you'd soon be alone" and notes that "the pain of loss ... [is] almost as intense as the bliss ... it's nostalgia with an emphasis on nostos, pain [sic]."[3] Word Riot's Marty Beckerman said that The Perks of Being a Wallflower connects with young people because its scenes are "so universal and happen to so many teenagers. “Chbosky wanted to convey respect for teenagers, to "validate and respect and celebrate what [teenagers] are going through every day", and said that the novel is for "anyone who's felt like an outcast."