by OAB, written for ENGL 4600W: Advanced Study: Seminars in Literature
While both Wonder by R. J. Palacio and Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick explores themes of disability and belonging, Wonder stood out to me for its kindness and the nostalgia I hoped I would find when rereading it. In the ENGL 4600W: Advanced Study: Seminars in Literature course I took at UConn, we discussed the growing portrayal of disability in literature and its significance in shaping the community. Wonder: the story of August Pullman, a boy with a facial difference, encourages you to question assumptions and embrace being different. Since the story’s release in 2012, it has spoken to readers of all ages. This is due to the challenges of fitting in, which everyone has experienced. The novel extends beyond that as it is often used in various settings, including the classroom. The book gained so much popularity that it became a film in 2017, further solidifying its place in public consciousness. August’s story shares the human experience of feeling different or misunderstood. While his physical differences are unique, the emotions that the reader and he experience throughout the book resonate with anyone who has ever felt like an outsider. Auggie’s biggest fear throughout the book is his classmates’ rejection: “Sending him to middle school is like sending a lamb to the slaughterhouse… ‘Everyone will stare at me at school’, I said, suddenly crying” (Palacio 10). Having physical differences made him a target for bullying. This fear was aggravated in August’s transition from being homeschooled to attending a public middle school, as adolescents consider “fitting in” to be the top priority in their lives.
Like Auggie, I’ve felt different at times. Maybe it wasn’t as apparent as his facial differences, but I’ve felt like an outsider as if I didn’t quite fit in. When I reflect on Auggie’s fears of being bullied for his differences, I cannot help but think about my own experiences. As a child, I had a speech impediment that made it difficult for me to speak clearly. This often led to teasing and awkward situations that made me self-conscious in school. I was also afraid of being rejected by my peers because of something that made me stand out. I remember feeling nervous in class when we would have to “popcorn” read due to being unable to pronounce certain words. I was so worried that they would mock the way I spoke. While this was not a physical disability, it still set me apart in a way that felt isolating. As an adult, I still find myself self-conscious about how I speak. I can pronounce “theater,” but I often call it “the movie place” simply because I would rather get made fun of for calling it something silly than for my speech impediment. I instead make humor of my differences at my own expense. It is like Auggie’s decision to wear his helmet as a shield to protect himself. Though my speech impediment is not something people can see, it still sets me apart. Wonder has always spoken to me, especially vulnerability, showing how difficult facing things are when you feel different. Auggie’s journey of fitting in and finding friendships reminds me of how important it is to find a place where we are loved for who we are, not how we look or speak. Like Auggie, as I reflect on how far I have come as I navigate my journey, the quote, “You can’t blend in when you were born to stand out (Palacio, 2022)” speaks to me as we must all embrace our true belonging (Palacio, 2022).
Work Cited
Palacio, R. J., and Tad Carpenter. Wonder. Alfred A. Knopf, 2022.
“Wonder (Film).” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 31 Oct. 2024, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wonder_(film).
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