Wander in Auggie's Wonderland: The Story behind A Wonder

Lady Gaga, a well-known American singer who speaks out for the disadvantaged time after time, once said, “You have to be unique, and different, and shine in your own way.” Specifically, how would you live your life if God treated you inequitably? Would you opt to wallow in self-pity or maintain a positive attitude towards the unfair life? In August Pullman’s inspirational story, in an effort to fit in at school, he endeavored to resist mean ridicule and bullying. It is worth learning of Auggie (August Pullman), who has conquered his fear of socializing courageously and built self-confidence.

Suffered from mandibulofacial dysostosis, an uncommon disease capable of prompting to a facial deformity, Auggie has gone through an ordeal since he was little. Anxious that Auggie’s appearance might frighten other kids and be mocked, his parents determined to homeschool him. Along with his upbringing, there was insufficient knowledge for his mother to teach science to Auggie. Eventually, they sent him to school to get a better education. It is unimaginable that a ten-year-old child has to bear the enormous strain. If I were Auggie, I would probably be self-abased and dispirited. First and most obviously, everyone at school must stare at Auggie in peculiar ways. Moreover, some coarse children were likely to make fun of his face. Auggie, however, plunked up his courage to go to school for nothing but learning science. As Steve Jobs has mentioned, “stay hungry, stay foolish,” it was a burning desire for knowledge that made Auggie keep moving forwards! More and more friends he made, he gradually stepped outside his comfort zone, built up his contacts, and devoted himself to learning, not afraid of getting along with others.

Apart from the growth of Auggie, another central issue for the story is the relations among Auggie and people around him. “Auggie is the Sun. Me and Mom and Dad are planets orbiting the Sun. The rest of our family and friends are asteroids and comets floating around the planets orbiting the Sun.” (82) It seems that Auggie is the heart of the world as he is one of a kind; nevertheless, it is my belief that everyone in the story is in their own universe. For instance, in Via’s universe, in addition to Auggie, her deceased grandmother also plays an indispensable role in her life. To lighten his parents’ burden, she had to be independent. Yet, she was merely a teenager needing care, love, and attention. Therefore, her grandmother relatively minded her feelings more than Auggie’s. Ever since her grandmother passed away, she has been overwhelmed with grief and depression, hence her grandmother is a considerable part in Via’s universe.

On top of Via, Miranda is an impressive role in the story as well. After her parents’ divorce, she could barely meet up with her father. In spite of living with her mother, Miranda exclusively knew little about her. On the contrary, she felt a sense of belonging when spending time with Via and her family. Namely, they occupied almost all her life, and Via looked upon her as the best friend in a similar fashion. Nonetheless, their friendship was not a bed of roses. After returning from summer camp, Miranda had no longer hung out with Via, or rather, she aspired to replace her due to having a lovely family. Following making a clean break with the past, Miranda went ahead with adjustments and attempted to resolve the problem. Thankfully, they forged a highly sturdier relationship. In conclusion, in Miranda’s inner world, Via and her family are the core, which are significant for her.

At length, no one is born to be perfect; therefore, everyone tends to make efforts towards perfection. Confident and fearless, Auggie became a wonder. What I have to learn from Auggie is the spirit of the reluctance of being defeated by innate defects and his exceptionally optimistic perspective. As the saying goes, “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade.”