Mr. Browne (August’s Teacher) talks to the students about percepts in the beginning of the novel, he says that that “Who were are! Us! Right? What kind of people are we? What kind of person are you? Isn’t that the most important thing of all?” (47 Palacio). This is a theme throughout the novel Wonder. When people look at August, they often react like they had seen horrer. They don’t see right through to his heart first. Those who take the time to get to know August, learn that they don’t really notice his face anymore. Instead, they find a boy who is both smart and funny from the inside.
At one point in the resolution , Miranda comments that the “Universe was not kind to August Pullman” (204). Justin (August’s sisters boyfriend) thinks long and hard about what Miranda meant about that and realizes that “ The Universe is a giant lottery. You purchase a ticket when you’re born. And it’s all just random weather you get a good ticket or a bad ticket. It’s all just luck. “( 204) He then understands then that the Universe gave a bit of a bonus to those who got a bad ticket. In August’s case, a loving family and very loyal friends balanced his disfigurements.
When the reader looks closely at the text, you notice that those who got a good ticket when they were born didn’t have the a bonus of loyal friends and a loving family. Julian (A bully in the novel) was born in a rich family, and had all he wanted. However, when August invites him to his bowling birthday party, “His mom was the only person who didn’t RSVP at all.” (67). Then August’s mother comments by saying,“The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree” (67). August’s mom is trying to say that Julian’s parents had influenced Julian to be just like them in their school years. Their family are the kind people who think that they were above everyone else, but in reality, they are below everyone else.
Who we are. “Isn’t that the kind of question we should be asking ourselves all the time? What kind of person am I?” (47) And more importantly what kind of person are you?
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