I.

The Literary Piece

A. The Author

R.J. Palacio, also known as Raquel Jaramillo, is a talented and successful

author who is known for his work on Wonder. She was born in New York City
on July 13, 1963. Before becoming a successful writer, Palacio worked as a
book jacket designer and art director. Her background in visual arts
undoubtedly influenced her style of writing, as she has a keen eye for detail
and a unique way to create powerful and relatable characters. Her debut
novel Wonder received widespread praise for its heartwarming stories and
powerful messages of kindness and acceptance. Palacio’s simple but deeply
written works resonate with readers of all ages, making them timeless and
appreciated works of contemporary literature.

B. Format of the piece

The format of the literary piece Wonder” by R.J. Palacio is praiseworthy for its
simplicity and accessibility. The use of simple words and an easy-to-
understand structure make it very accessible to readers of all ages, especially
younger audiences who might be reading the book for the first time. This
approachable format allows the themes and messages of the book to shine
through without being surrounded by complex languages or structures. It
effectively communicates the essence of wonder and helps readers connect
with their stories and characters on a personal and emotional level, a crucial
aspect of literature, especially when it comes to important themes such as
empathy and acceptance.

C. Background of the Period

R. J. Palacio’s Wonder is a 2012 novel. At that period, the world was

experiencing a shift in the way people communicated and connected with
each other. The growth of social media and the Internet played a major role in
shaping the interaction and dissemination of information between individuals.
With this change in communication, readers can easily share their ideas and
recommendations online, so books such as Wonder became quickly popular.

In the early 2010s, the focus on empathy, inclusion, and combining

bullying increased, which corresponded to the main themes of the book.
“Wonder” was perfectly timed in this respect, as it dealt with the importance of
kindness and understanding in the increasingly connected digital world. The
message of acceptance and acceptance of differences resonated with
readers during this time, making it a widely discussed and celebrated literary
work.

D. Summary of the Piece

A boy named August or “Auggie” Pullman, a ten-year-old boy from New

York, was born with facial deformities that made it difficult for him to make
friends. He lives with his parents, sister Via, and dog Daisy. He attended
home school until the fifth grade, but his parents decided it was time to go to
a real school. He was enrolled in a neighborhood private school, Beecher
Prep, and it took him to meet the principal, Mr. Tushman. While there, some
of the students in the August classes visit the school, and Jack is nice and
Julian is very rude.

Auggie settles into his new school and makes some friends. He
becomes a friend of Jack, and his first day he sits down with a girl named
Summer at lunch. He gets teased by his classmates, but he felt it was just a
thing that happened in secondary school. Finally, after everyone got used to
Auggie’s face, the teasing stopped. On Halloween, usually Auggie’s favorite
day of the year, it is worse when Auggie hears Jack, say to Julian and other
boys that if he looks like Auggie, he will kill himself. Jack, however, is unaware
of this since Auggie was wearing a Bleeding Scream costume at the time.

The story switches to Via, Auggie’s older sister who begins high school
at the same time as Auggie starts middle school. Unlike her brother, she did
not receive much attention from her parents and was softly dismissed in favor
of him. The only one who made her first was her Grans, who was dead when
the story began.

Via was dealing with school problems as her best friend Miranda and
Ella stopped talking to her during the summer. Via feels neglected after the
first day of school, and her mother seems to be more concerned with Auggie’s
day than with hers. The conflict between Via and her former friends continued
to grow, and Via settled into a new group. At Halloween, Via is confused when
Auggie comes home early and says she is sick and refuses to go trick or
treat. He reveals what Jack has done to her and convinces her that some
children are always mean. Auggie believes she must overcome these
dilemmas and continue to attend school. Auggie surprises Via by telling her
that Miranda is coming to talk to him and asking about her.

Then comes the view of summer. Summer spent time with Auggie
because she wanted to be his friend, not because Mr. Tushman asked her.
Since Auggie is mad at Jack, Summer becomes his best friend, and their two
families also face it. It is a struggle to decide whether to hang out with Auggie
or to hang out with the crowd, but eventually it chooses Auggie. When Jack
finally asks Summer why Auggie is mad at him, she gives him an indication:
“Bleeding scream.”

The next section tells Jack’s perspective and he reverts back to when
Mr. Tushman first asked him to become a new student’s friend. He
remembers seeing Auggie when they were both very young: Jack was
surprised by Auggie’s face at the time. Jack has also had some domestic
struggles because his family is not wealthy, in contrast to other families with
private school children.

When Jack brings together two and two and discovers what Auggie
heard, he feels terrible. He really wants to be the friend of Auggie, but he was
taken in an attempt to be accepted by children like Julian. When Julian tells
him one day that being Auggie’s friend isn’t worth it, Jack gets so angry that
he punches Julian in the face. This conflict led to several letters of apology
involving Jack, Mr. Tushman and Julian, and Jack and Auggie eventually
reconciled and became friends again. When Jack and Auggie return to school
after winter break, Jack realizes that Julian has turned many of the boys in his
class against them and that a “war” has begun.

The thought then turns to Via’s new boyfriend, Justine, who has just
met Auggie. Justin is good for Via because he makes her feel important and
respected. Since his parents are divorced, Justin enjoys spending time with
the tight-knit Pullman family. Auditions for his high school play with Via
arrived, and he was cast as the male lead in our town, while Via’s old friend
Miranda was cast as the female lead and Via as a student.

Auggie’s thoughts return to the first since the beginning of the novel:
the situation is better at school as the students are tired of the “war” between
Julian and Jack. The Pullman family gets into a fight one day when Auggie
discovers that Via has been keeping him from participating in the school play.
He didn’t want her to come, because then she would become the girl and the
disabled brother again. However, during the fight, the Pullmans’ dog, Daisy,
becomes seriously ill. He must be put to sleep, a choice that destroys the
family. This death also makes Via forget the fight and the whole family goes to
the school play to see Justin. They were hoping to see Miranda in the female
lead role, but she got a surprise: Apparently, Miranda fell ill right after the
movie, so Via took the lead instead and did an amazing job.

Miranda now has the opportunity to tell her story: she has been
avoiding Via since the beginning of school because, during the summer, she
told a lot of lies in the camp and pretended to be a disabled brother be
famous. However, he secretly misses Via. On the opening night of the play,
Miranda has no one to see her, so after seeing the Pullman family in the
audience, she interrupts so Via can go on stage instead. This trick gives Via
and Miranda a chance to mend their relationship.

The final part of the novel returns to Auggie. The fifth-grader goes on a
three-day retreat at the nature reserve: it's Auggie's first time sleeping away at
 home. Everything goes well until the second evening, when the students
watch a movie outside. Jack and Auggie go into the woods so Jack can pee;
There, they meet a group of older kids from another school, who tease Auggie
and try to hurt him. Fortunately, three of the boys at Beecher Prep who are
always friends with Auggie - Henry, Miles and Amos - come to Auggie's
rescue, even though one of the older kids steals the supplies of Auggie.

This incident makes Auggie extremely popular, however. By the final

stages of the novel, almost everyone has at last warmed up to him and wants
to be his friend. Things start looking up: the Pullmans get a new puppy, and
Auggie learns from Mr. Tushman that Julian will not come back to Beecher
Prep the following year. Graduation arrives; Auggie wins a special award for
courage and kindness. He realizes how far he has come since the beginning
of school, and he now has a solid group of friends and feels comfortable with
who he is. The novel ends with his mother whispering in his ear, calling him a
“wonder.”

II. Advanced Deconstruction of the Elements

A. Writer Purpose

R.J. Palacio has a dual purpose, which is to inform and persuade.

Palacio hopes to create empathy and understanding in readers by informing
them about the difficulties experienced by those who have facial differences
through the story. The realistic fiction genre is a deliberate choice made by
the author, who uses a familiar setting to deliver a potent message.

Palacio’s use of numerous points of view her writing improves the

instructive element by offering a variety of perspectives on the protagonist’s
experiences. The narrative’s emotional depth is ensured for readers of all
ages by the language’s relatability and accessibility. The ultimate purpose of
“Wonder” is to persuade readers to embrace love and kindness, which makes
it a powerful work of fiction that transcends simple enjoyment.

B. Characters and Characterization

Major Characters:

August “Auggie” Pullman – the main character in Wonder, is a brave and

kind person who’s had lots of surgeries for his unique face.
 He is well-developed and multi-dimensional. His experiences,
emotions, and growth are explored in depth throughout the story.
(Round)
 He undergoes significant changes and personal growth, especially
in terms of forming new friendships and facing challenges.
(Dynamic)
 Auggie’s core characteristics and values remain constant. While he
grows and learns, his fundamental kindness and bravery stay
consistent. (Static)

Olivia “Via” Pullman – is Auggie’s sister in “Wonder”. She’s a really

important and caring friend to Auggie in the story.
 She is depicted with depth and complexity. Her feelings of being left
out, yet her strong support for Auggie, show a range of emotions
and qualities. (Round)
 She undergoes emotional changes and growth throughout the
story. Her evolving relationship with Auggie and her role as his
supportive sister contribute to her dynamic nature. (Dynamic)

Jack Will – Jack is friends with Auggie, he defends him from bullies and
cares more about their friendship than being popular.
  He undergoes development and change throughout the story.
Initially, he has conflicting feelings about Auggie but evolves to
prioritize true friendship. (Round)
 He experiences significant growth and change. At first, he harbors
negative thoughts about Auggie, but as the story progresses, he
defends him and matures emotionally. (Dynamic)

Justin – is a quiet and shy guy who wears round glasses.

 He has various traits and complexities. He’s not just shy and quiet,
but also musically talented and protective of his friend Jack (Round)
 He undergoes a change in confidence and self-expression when he
is cast as the lead in the school play. (Dynamic)

Miranda Navas – Miranda is a kind and caring person, especially towards

Auggie and Via.
 She is depicted as having multiple traits and experiences. She
cares for Via and Auggie (Rounded)
 Her relationship with Via changes over time, influenced by her
parents’ divorce. (Dynamic)

Summer Dawson is a good friend to Auggie. Her happy attitude and

determination, show the main idea of the story: be yourself and be kind to
others.
 Her actions, such as sitting with Auggie and displaying a happy
attitude, reveal different facets of her personality. (Round)
 She steps forward to befriend Auggie when others hesitate,
showing her kindness and openness. (Dynamic)

Julian Albans is the main bad guy in the book Wonder.

 His bullying behavior and its effects on August reveal different
facets of his personality (Round)
  He undergoes some changes in his understanding and behavior,
particularly in how he perceives August and comes to realize the
consequences of his actions. (Dynamic)
C. Major Settings
The first is Beecher Prep, where Auggie attends school, and the author
skillfully portrays the challenges of fitting in. A significant portion of the
story unfolds in Auggie’s home or Pullman Residence, emphasizing the
importance of family support. Additionally, the summer camp setting
highlights Auggie’s personal growth outside the familiar environment of
school. Palacio adeptly uses these settings to weave a narrative that
explores themes of acceptance, friendship, and self-discovery.
D. Conflict

Man Vs. Society

August deals with a major conflict since individuals mistreat him in light of
what he looks like. This issue happens a lot in the story, particularly toward
the beginning. Many individuals feel frustrated about him or are terrified of
him, believing he resembles a beast. This is a sort of contention called “man
versus society” since August is in a battle with how individuals see and treat
him.

Man Vs. Man

The conflict started when Jack hit Julian, since Julian was expressing mean
things about August. This caused a major issue called the “War,” and
everybody in 5th grade needed to pick sides or remain impartial. Most young
men favored Julian, and most young ladies remained unbiased. Julian began
leaving notes in Jack and August’s storage spaces, so they answered with
entertaining notes, causing it to appear as though a strange young lady had
eyes for Julian. Julian got found out and couldn’t go on the nature retreat as a
result. This is an illustration of a man-versus-man struggle since Jack and
Julian are in a battle.
E. Symbolism

Shoes – Auggie talks about shoes a lot, indicating that he often looks down
instead of meeting people’s eyes. This suggests he might feel shy or worried
about how others will react to his face.

Padawan Braid – At the point when Auggie cutting off his braid, it shows that
he’s developing and moving from self-teaching to customary school. It
resembles a major change in his life.

Mask

On Halloween, Auggie wore a “Scream” mask. These mask show that Auggie
needs to remain stowed away from individuals. He assumes he looks
peculiar, and he accepts that others could do without him as a result of what
he looks like.

F. Themes

Kindness

In the story, being kind is no joking matter. Auggie goes through difficult
stretches in light of the fact that certain individuals aren’t pleasant to him. In
any case, eventually, Mr. Tushman discusses that it is so essential to be kind
to everybody, regardless of where they come from or what they look like. As
the story wraps up, Auggie and his companions understand that being kind is
really significant.

Courage

Auggie is truly courage. In any event, when different children are unkind to
him and ridicule him, he doesn’t surrender. He continues onward and doesn’t
allow the extreme stuff to get to him. Auggie is solid inside, and it’s amazing
the way in which he handles every one of the hard things that happen to him.
Despite the fact that it could appear to be a little ridiculous for a youngster to
go through so much, Auggie’s boldness resembles a brilliant illustration for
every individual who finds out about him, regardless of their age.
Friendship

In the story “Wonder” by R.J. Palacio, it is displayed as truly vital to have old
buddies. Auggie, the fundamental person, finds support from his companions
when he begins school. Summer is an extraordinary companion all along,
helping Auggie while he’s going through a difficult time. Despite the fact that
Lift wrecks and makes statements he shouldn’t, he gains from his mix-ups
and says sorry. This shows that genuine companions make it more
straightforward to manage predicaments and defeat issues throughout
everyday life.

Comments:

Check the format of your paper. Check the margins, and as much as
possible, refrain from the use of contractions: shouldn’t, can’t, etc. The
discussions are overall good and logical.