Examples from Novels (1)

The Perks of Being a Wallflower(1999): The novel is about a 15 years old introverted Charlie and his experiences. We read him go through universal teen firsts: first date, first kiss, first dance, etc. Although these are considered happy moments, in this book, they are somehow shaded with melancholy and angst. Alongside that, the characters are constantly struggling with real problems; suicide, drug abuse, teen pregnancy.
As the book progresses, we notice that Charlie has been keeping a lot of his emotions to himself and struggles with repressed memories; and eventually the readers find out that he was sexually abused by his Aunt and he is suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.