Date of Thesis

2015

Description

Young adult fiction has developed the reputation of being a vital developmental asset for young adults, but critics have shied away from granting it the criticism it deserves, regarding it as nothing more than a category of children's literature. However, due to its growing popularity and greater influence, this genre should be considered worthy of serious literary evaluation. Using The Perks of Being a Wallflower to model a commentary on young adult fiction, I plan to provide evidence for the unacknowledged complexity of this genre by analyzing the series of books that author Stephen Chbosky refers to in his novel. Young adult fiction appears to be directed to one audience: young adults. However, through the relationship between the two characters Bill and Charlie, mediated by literature, I plan to prove that this genre functions as developmental and useful in both adolescents' and adults' lives.

Keywords

Stephen Chbosky, Perks of being a wallflower

Access Type

Honors Thesis (Bucknell Access Only)

Degree Type

Bachelor of Arts

Major

English

First Advisor

Michael Drexler

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