The Perks of Being a Wallflower Lesson Plan

Why did Charlie choose to write to the person he addresses as "friend"? What do you make of Charlie's decision to write letters to someone he doesn't know and doesn't want to know him? How might this change the way you read his letters?

Charlie chose to write to this person because he or she "listens and understands," and Charlie needs someone to listen to him without being judgmental. He writes that other people look to this person for strength and friendship, both of which he needs. However, he can't be completely honest with this person at the risk of being identified. It is therefore not clear how much of Charlie's story readers can truly believe. After all, his name...