“Sometimes I think my head is so big because it is so full of dreams.”
This is the quote, originally by The Elephant Man’s John Merrick, that signals the beginning of Justin’s perspective in R.J Palacio’s literary work, Wonder. This small but profound phrase gives us a subtle hint on what is to come of the high school student living in New York’s character; the character in which readers were quick to admire and gain a better understanding of the storyline through.
Justin is introduced to the Wonder storyline as the boy Via, August’s sister, meets at her new school through drama club. Via is immediately attracted to him as they interact throughout a series of play rehearsals. Despite his lack of knowledge about August at his point in introduction, Justin provides a unique perspective of the Pullman family that allows readers to fully comprehend the detailed storyline of Wonder as a whole. What this means is he tells the story of what a person outside of the Pullman’s, and what a pupil at Via’s school can determine during their short occasions (during plays and school events) of meeting Via’s little brother and first seeing his facial deformities.
When Via initially informed Justin about her brother’s facial deformities, he is surprised. It has been two months since the pair began dating at this point, and they are on their third date. Justin was reluctant to show his surprise to the confession. The reasoning for this is that Via had described her little brother August in such immense detail, from his slanted eyes and scar-littered lips and nose, and it should not come as a shock to him. Justin lies to Via to assure her he is not shocked, but because Justin then admits to the readers he is not freaked out or scared, simply surprised at the first occasion in meeting her girlfriend’s little brother, we are reassured he is okay with August. This statement turns out to be true, and Justin revolves into a surprising figure of authority as the storyline develops.
An example of Justin’s authority occurs after school, at the grocery store next to the bus station. Jack has asked Justin for a dollar, to buy some gum, he tells him. Justin observes as he walks to the grocery station, admitting to readers he believes he is too small to be walking around by herself. It is when three boys; who Justin fails to identify as Julian, Henry, and Miles, nudge each other and backtrack their steps into the grocery store, grasps his full attention. They see them outside the grocery store, hiding behind the fruit stand. When Jack emerges from the entrance they follow him, imitating vomiting sounds, which is not a change in character for the three boys who tend to make fun of August and Jack a lot of the time. An example of Miles, Henry and Julian’s cruel tendencies is when on Halloween, Julian mentioned to his friends that August looked like Darth Sidious, a Star Wars character with facial deformities. Julian was unaware that August was in the classroom with them all because he did not wear the Boba Fett outfit he had told everyone he was going to wear that day, instead wearing a Bleeding Scream mask. This hurt August’s feelings. Jack does not seem phased by the incident and walks back to Justin as if nothing happens. He is questioned by Justin as to who they are and if they were bothering him. Jack admits they have never done anything quite like that before, but he is turning the whole grade against him in a form of ‘war’. Jack brings out a piece of paper with three columns claiming what sides of the war everyone in the grade is in - the three columns consisting of the neutrals, people against Jack, and people on Jack’s side. The real reason for Julian being against Jack is because he is friends with August, who is considered unpopular and a ‘freak’ at Beecher Prep. Justin soon realises that Jack may be reluctant to tell him the true story because he is close to the Pullmans. Justin, who is now upset and angered by their actions, proceeds to cross the road to the boys, and with a lash of authority and through gritted teeth, tells Julian, Miles, and Henry not to mess with Jack. This is a change in character for Justin who has been so far seen in the storyline as a submissive character. He has never gotten into conflict with any other characters up until this point. This displays that Justin is truly committed to stand up for August and his friends, and has the authority and willingness to do so. This proves that Justin has accepted and gotten used to the difficult-to-apprehend appearance of August Pullman in a very positive way.
It is with this information gathered that readers, after reading, recognise Justin as a well-liked character with a unique perspective on August. He is unquestionably willing to stand up for August and has come to terms with his appearance positively, although he is surprised when they first meet. This allows Justin to be identified as an admired character that has the ability to provide readers a greater understanding of the Pullman family and it’s wonders.
