Argument Essay: The Perks of Being a Wallflower: First Draft

Argument Essay: Draft 1

When I was in sixth grade, I went to the library. I sat down, and picked up a book lying on the table, and started to read. My eye twitched as I saw swear words over and over. I slammed the book down as the kissing part came. I slowly walked away, my sixth grade mind unable to process what I just read. The book I am currently reading is called “The Perks of Being a Wallflower.” The author is Steven Chbosky. Even though “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” is a good book, sixth and seventh grades should not read it because it contains sexual content, explicit language, drugs, drinking, and rape.

Sixth and seventh graders should not read this book because it has explicit language, smoking, and drugs for underage teens.  For example: “I agreed, but then my brother started saying how my sister was just a bitchy dyke.”(Page 81) This doesn’t just show that there is cursing in the book, but also there is fighting between brothers and sisters. A example of teens underage smoking: “Can I have a cigarette?” I said. I couldn’t bring myself to say “burn a smoke.” Not for my first one. I just couldn’t. When I lit it I didn’t cough. It actually felt soothing. I know that it was bad in a health class way, but it was true.” The character in the book that is doing this is only a freshman, meaning he is only 14-15 years old. If sixth or seventh graders read this, they may be influenced to do the same when they turn older.

Another reason why sixth and seventh graders should not read this book is because it has sexual content and a rape scene. I think that sixth and seventh graders will not understand what is happening in that part, and they are also too young enough to read that part of the book. For example: (Page 12) “And I opened the door to the basement and my sister and this boy were naked. He was on top of her and her legs were draped on either side of the couch. And she screamed to me in a whisper- “Get out. You pervert.” There are at least 3 more scenes like this in this book. The author of (“The ‘sick-lit’ books aimed at children. It’s a disturbing phenomenon. Tales of teenage cancer, self harm, and suicide...) states: “...These books don’t spare any detail of the harsh realities of terminal illness, depression, and death. Most are also liberally peppered with sex and swearing.”

The author of “Darkness Too Visible,” says “The argument in favor of such novels is that they validate the teen experience, giving voices to tortured adolescents who would otherwise be voiceless.” If they had faced these experiences, they would know they are not alone. Also, if they were to encounter these problems, they would know how to deal with them. They would not feel alone because they would know other people have these problems and issues to deal with too.

In conclusion, I think that sixth and seventh graders should not read this book because it includes sexual content, rape, swearing, underage drinking, and drugs. I believe that sixth and seventh graders would not know what these things are. If they read this, they will be exposed to the brutal and harsh world, but they are still children and are too young for that.