Towards Extraversion: A psychoanalytical Reading of the Disabled in R. J. Palacio's Wonder

This paper seeks to delineate R.J. Palacio's vision of the disabled child through displaying different youth perspectives of the story events in Wonder. Within the theoretical framework of C. G. Jung’s psychoanalysis, this paper explores instances of achieving psychological stability for both disabled and nondisabled characters, and turning the central character into an extravert. It applies the term Bildungsroman to the intellectual, social and psychological development of the novel’s central character, Auggie, who, after going out into the world, joining the preschool and experiencing both rejection and acceptance, comes to a better understanding of the self. The paper also addresses a pressing need to investigate ways to help children build an acceptance of people who may look different. It concludes that the way society responds to the disabled changes their bad experiences and improves their lives. If others actively engage the disabled and encourage their participation in, and ensure their access to, daily activities, they will heal their psychological dilemma. People need to change their perspectives of the disabled as failing to fulfill their ascribed roles in society. The paper proves that a child with disability or deformity is able to shoulder responsibility and interact in a better way than expected from him. The novel has successfully given a positive image of disability for readers and other nondisabled children. It proves that deformity is not an impediment in the development of the protagonist’s bildungsroman. It changes the way people look at anyone with disability, deformity or a mark of difference.