Charlie is a complex character who is critical of many different people throughout the story. In order to understand who Charlie is most critical of, we need to examine his relationships and interactions with other key characters. Some of the main targets of Charlie’s criticism include his family, his teachers, and his peers. By looking at specific examples of how Charlie interacts with and judges these different groups, we can gain insight into who faces the brunt of his disapproval.
Charlie’s Family
One of the main sources of Charlie’s criticism is his own family. He often expresses frustration, disappointment, and even disdain for his parents and siblings. For example, Charlie feels that his parents do not understand him and states that conversations with them make him feel “trapped.” He resents having to attend social events with his family and he is critical of what he sees as their superficiality and obsession with status.
Charlie is also frequently annoyed by his older siblings. He views his brother as arrogant and self-centered. His sister embarrasses him by singing loudly in the car. Over the course of the novel, Charlie makes many sarcastic remarks about his family and seems to feel alienated from them. By writing about his family in his diaries, he tries to gain some control over these relationships that often leave him feeling powerless.
Key Examples of Criticism Towards Family
- “I don’t really like my mother or my father or my brother.”
- “My brother said I was an idiot.”
- “My sister was singing again.”
So while Charlie is often critical of his family, they are not the only target of his disapproval.
Charlie’s Teachers
Another group that Charlie consistently scrutinizes and criticizes throughout the novel is his teachers. He often describes his teachers in an unflattering light and seems to find fault with many aspects of their personalities and teaching methods.
For example, Charlie notes that his English teacher “doesn’t know what she’s doing” and that his math teacher “doesn’t expect much from anybody.” He also complains when teachers give too much work or structure class time in a way he finds dull. Charlie’s sharp commentary about his teachers reveals his frustration and dissatisfaction with his education.
However, the teacher Charlie is by far the most critical towards is Bill, his old English teacher. After Bill commits suicide, Charlie reflects extensively on his relationship with this teacher. He expresses regret about joining his classmates in mocking Bill’s eccentric teaching style. Charlie realizes he missed out on the opportunity to gain wisdom and perspective from Bill. The loss of this teacher makes Charlie determined to be less narrow-minded and cruel towards others.
Key Examples of Criticism Towards Teachers
- “Mr. Keating doesn’t know what he’s doing.”
- “I don’t think my math teacher expects much from anybody.”
- “I guess I made fun of Mr. Bill a lot.”
So teachers are often the subject of Charlie’s scorn and judgment, especially those who fail to impress him.
Charlie’s Peers
The final major group Charlie continuously calls into question and denounces is his classmates and peers. In particular, Charlie’s commentary reveals a strong contempt for those he perceives as arrogant or unintelligent.
For instance, Charlie is highly critical of a girl in his class named Susan. He calls her conceited and unable to “form a positive thought or experience.” He also attacks a boy named Kevin who makes an error answering a question in class, calling him stupid and pathetic. Through these insults, Charlie tries to distance himself from his peers and assert what he believes is his superior intelligence or perceptiveness.
However, the classmate Charlie is most critical towards is Brad, a popular football player. After Brad rapes Charlie’s sister, Charlie’s inner monologue about Brad is scathing and vengeful. He imagines violence and suffering befalling Brad. While such vitriol is understandable given the circumstances, Brad becomes the ultimate target for Charlie’s capacity for criticism.
Key Examples of Criticism Towards Peers
- “Susan seems conceited to me.”
- “Kevin is so stupid.”
- “I hope Brad suffers forever for what he did.”
Charlie’s varied issues with his classmates reveal his tendency towards haughty judgment.
Conclusion
After examining Charlie’s relationships with his family, teachers, and peers, it becomes clear that no one group bears the full brunt of Charlie’s criticism. At different times, he finds fault with almost everyone in his life. However, Brad, the popular athlete who rapes Charlie’s sister, emerges as possibly the single person Charlie is most critical towards over the course of the novel. The trauma Brad inflicts on Charlie’s family leads Charlie to deem him unforgivably corrupt and worthless. While his disdain has peaks and valleys with his family, teachers, and other classmates, Charlie’s condemnation of Brad remains severe and unwavering. Still, Charlie’s capacity for criticism extends far and wide. His cynicism regarding many people in his life underscores his feelings of isolation as he comes of age. By learning to balance his critical eye with greater patience and empathy, Charlie may gain a more nuanced view of others as human too.