Themes: Family
For August Pullman, family is a source of comfort, emotional support, and understanding. His facial deformities make it difficult for him to connect with people outside his extended family, so he leans heavily on his parents and his sister during his first year at Beecher Prep. His sister, Via, calls him the sun of their little galaxy, where everyone orbits around him like planets.
Via’s feelings of frustration are evident in this statement. She feels neglected by her parents and is forced to grow up quickly and take care of herself. At the same time, she loves August deeply, and she understands that his medical condition requires almost full-time attention from their parents. It’s obvious that Via and August have very different ideas about what “family” means.
Palacio compares the Pullmans to several other families in the novel. Miranda and Justin, both children of divorce, are amazed by how loving and supportive the Pullmans are compared to their own families. Summer also comes from a broken home, her father having died years before. Julian’s family, on the other hand, is still intact, if morally bankrupt. His mother, a rich, well-connected woman, launches a campaign to force August out of Beecher Prep, arguing that his “special needs” put too much pressure on the other students in school. Her shallow and insufferable personality is immediately apparent from the emails she sends about this. Palacio uses Julian’s family, the Albans, to underscore just how perfect the Pullmans are. Their ability to overcome adversity makes them the ideal family.
Expert Q&A
In Wonder, how does Via react to Auggie's deformity and its impact?
In Wonder, Via reacts to Auggie's deformity by accepting her brother for who he is and demonstrating her love by treating him like a typical sibling. Via is also quick to defend Auggie, and goes to great lengths to make him feel normal. Although Via is not ashamed of her brother, she is tired of being judged because she is Auggie's sister. Via's relationship with her parents also suffers. She is a relatively lonely, independent teenager.
In Wonder, how does Auggie’s family help him manage school struggles?
Auggie’s parents are both encouraging and overprotective in trying to help him with the difficulties of fitting in. They often allow him to bring up hard topics rather than ask about them. Sometimes they encourage him to try new experiences, such as camp. His mother is often overprotective but supports doing family activities together, such as attending his sister’s play.
How is Daisy special to the Pullman family, and how has her behavior towards August differed from others?
Daisy holds a special place in the Pullman family, especially for August, as she offers him unconditional love free from judgment about his appearance. Unlike humans, Daisy's affection is pure and helps Auggie trust and feel accepted. Her death teaches Auggie the universality of pain, prompting him to see beyond his own struggles. This realization helps him become more self-reliant and live life more fully, highlighting Daisy's unique impact on him.
In Wonder, why doesn't Via want to have children?
Via does not want to have children because she carries the same gene that caused her brother August's severe birth defects. She finds his condition so tragic that she fears passing it on to a child. Despite her feelings, Via loves and protects August, never blaming him for her struggles with identity and attention within their family.
What advice do Auggie's parents give about handling Julian in Wonder?
Auggie's parents in Wonder advise him to handle Julian's bullying by empowering him to make his own decisions. When Auggie first meets Julian, his mother offers him the choice to continue homeschooling, trusting him to decide. Later, she questions his decision to invite Julian to his birthday party, again giving him control. This support helps Auggie handle the situation with fairness and compassion, choosing to include everyone despite Julian's rudeness.
What is the difference between Julian's family and Via’s family in Wonder?
Julian's family in Wonder is depicted as superficial and intolerant, with Julian himself being cruel and his mother unsympathetic, emphasizing appearances and external traits. In contrast, Via's family is loving and supportive, with her parents portrayed as caring and understanding, particularly towards her brother August, who has a facial condition. Via's family is accepting and respectful, always striving to make the best of difficult situations, highlighting the stark differences between the two families.
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