TPOBAW
I guess what i’m saying is that this all feels very familiar. But it’s not mine to be familiar about. I just know that another kid had felt this. This one time when it’s peaceful outside, and you’re seeing things move, and you don’t want to, and everyone is asleep. And all the books you’ve read have been read by other people. And all the songs
... See more“I didn’t know that other people thought things about me. I didn’t know that they looked.” - TPOBAW Stephen Chbosky
“He’s my whole world.” “Don’t ever say that about anyone again. Not even me.” - TPOBAW Stephan Chbosky
“And what’s funny is that if they actually did change them, they’d get bored. They’d have no challenge left.” - TPOBAW Stephen Chbosky
“They just like somebody that can give them a purpose… Everyone needs a mom. And a mom knows this. And it gives her a sense of purpose.” - TPOBAW Stephen Chbosky
If you had no one in your life that needed you, would you have a purpose?
“… my sister asked for her “Autumn Leaves” mix tape back. She listens to it all the time now.”
When you start to love someone, you start to love what they love, even if you yourself do not love it. You become fascinated by what fascinates them, solely because they fascinate you.
“A month later, my sister met another boy and started playing happy records again.” TPOBAW Stephen Chbosky
I love the concept of other people noting how you feel by what you put out into the world (whether intentionally or not). You cannot hide your emotions and what is going on inside your head as the media you consume and how you present yourself says it all. The people around you will notice how you are feeling, as Charlie noticed his sister getting over her ex boyfriend and moving onto the next boy through the records she played.
“… my sister smiled, which is funny because my brother and sister always fight when he’s around.” - TPOBAW Stephen Chbosky
No matter the relationship you have with a family member, you somehow always have a level of love for them that is unexplainable, maybe biological. Charlies sister is happy for her brothers achievements in football, even though when they are around each other they only argue. No matter how much you do not get along with a family member you always have a sense of love and admiration for them in their achievements.
“I think you of all people would understand that because I think you of all people are alive and appreciate what that means. At least I hope you do because other people look to you for stength and friendship and it’s that simple” - TPOBAW Stephen Chbosky
Charlie is looking for someone to listen to him and all his thoughts (good and bad), and he hopes they appreciate what it means to be alive. He is only sharing with this person because he feels that they share the same perspective on the world that he does; he knows what it is to be alive, seeing the world in its deepest form. Then he goes on to say that he is actually not sure that this person sees the world in the same way that he does (appreciating what it really means to be alive), but he is hopeful that they do, as people rely on this person to be there for them. To be there for people, you need to know what it means to be alive and appreciate it, so that you can help them through their tough times because you have been there for yourself through yours.