Intelligence greatly affects how people feel and who they truly are. The level of understanding of others' emotions and how the world works changes who a person is. Who someone is how they act, and what they think. Intelligence is as much of a factor in the formation of personality as genetic makeup. Flowers for Algernon shows this very acutely, as Charlie’s personality changes greatly throughout the book as his intelligence fluxuates.
Imagine the possibility of a surgery that could dramatically increase your intelligence. Imagine what a change of life that could mean if you were a mentally handicapped person. This is exactly what happens in the story, Flowers for Algernon, by Daniel Keyes. Charlie Gordon is a mentally handicapped man living alone in New York City. He undergoes an operation that increases his intelligence he realizes how poorly people have treated him including his family and friends. Although most folk mistreated Charlie there was one who was kind and caring towards Charlie and that was his teacher, Alice Kinnian. This story follows the rise and gradual fall of his intelligence and with that the awareness of how poorly people have treated
Could you imagine what it would be like to become what you’ve always wanted to be? Or to have your I.Q be tripled? In the Science Fiction story, “Flowers for Algernon” written by Daniel Keyes, a 37 year old man named Charlie Gordon, whose mind is impaired, undergoes a surgery to triple his I.Q. After the surgery, Charlie Gordon’s life became much better for him. Charlie was able to make true friends, along with that he felt emotions, but most importantly, he was able to see the world through a different a different perspective.
“Eagar, Determined, and Motivated:” these three words describe Charlie Gordon in Daniel Keyes’s story “Flowers for Algernon”. Daniel Keyes writes about a thirty two year old man with a low IQ (Charlie Gordon) who strives to become “normal”. Charlie will do anything to become smarter even letting two doctors preform brain surgery to enhance his learning capability. Charlie evolves throughout the novel and by the end of his journey although his IQ is low he is a more complete person. He learns the true meaning of friendship and demonstrates intellectual growth as a person by overcoming obstacles and understanding various lessons.
Have you ever thought about being smart? Well, Charlie Gordon did. Charlie Gordon is a 37 year old male with an I.Q. that is not very high. In the Science FIction story “Flowers for Algernon” by Daniel keyes. Charlie Gordon wasn’t very smart, he has a low I.Q. of 68. Charlie wanted to be smart so he would be liked by people. Charlie had the opportunity to have the A.I. surgery to triple his I.Q. Charlie Gordon should have had the A.I. surgery.
Charlie Gordon, a mentally compromised man, should not have received the surgery to increase his numerical intelligence-as judged by an IQ-and to become a normal man. While Daniel Keyes in “Flowers for Algernon” conveyed hope for psychologically impaired individuals, the surgery failed with countless devastating consequences. In all actuality, the complications that Charlie faced were genuine. As far as society was concerned, Charlie-having a lesser IQ than the average person-was regarded as unacceptable. The surgery was seen as a cure for this; nevertheless, it did not amount to any change in the way he was treated. Harnessing the insights from Algernon’s case and his own cognitive abilities, Charlie deciphered the effects and predicted the
Charlie changes over the course of the novel by changing the way he writes, talked to people, and listens to others. (Pg. 1 “I had a test today. I think faled it…”) (Pg. 246 “ I want to know if you feel any gratitude for all the things that have been done for you…”)
Throughout the novel Charlie’s personality and intelligence level changes a lot. In the beginning Charlie is happy, has friends, he’s retarded, and can’t remember a lot of things. “I fergot his last name because I dont remebir so good.” (Keyes 2),
Estimated 26% of people 18 or older are diagnosable with a mental disability. Charlie Gordon, a 37 year old man, has a mental disability and undergoes an operation to make him smart, but the result is that he becomes too smart and then hostile and eventually dies. Daniel Keyes portrays a theme in Flowers for Algernon that since some situation can come back and bite a person, be careful what you wish for.
When doctors are studying science and testing certain operations on patients, they could sometimes not think about the decisions or consequences about the treatment or operation. Or you could say they weren't thinking as ethically like a doctor should. Which ethically means the intelligence of ones mind and thoughts on any decisions that impact their life or another's life. Charlie Gordon is a character in the story "Flowers For Algernon", and he did not have the most intelligence. So, Doctor Nemur and Strauss took him in without thinking logically or ethically. Charlie Gordon's doctors did not act ethically when they performed surgery to make him smarter.
When Charlie was intelligent he often got irritated at the doctors because they weren’t as smart as him. He had also dealt with a lot of emotion with Miss Kinnian, Charlie was in love with Miss Kinnian. When he regressed, he was embarrassed to see her because he thought she would think he was dumb. When Charlie was at a diner, he saw a kid with disabilities, and everyone was laughing at him and so was Charlie. He was upset with himself that he laughed at him because that kid was him before he had the surgery to make him smart.
Daniel Keyes in "Flowers for Algernon" utilizes the actions and thoughts of the main protagonist, Charlie Gordon, to convey the central idea, people only show kindness to someone else when the opportunity seems beneficial to themselves.
Charlie is very far from what most people call normal: he is shy, introverted, awkward, independent, paranoid, confused, respectable and kind; showing many examples of this throughout the book. He keeps to himself for the most part and is constantly in his own head. Aside from the many negative traits he also has many attributes: he is a loyal friend and listens to the people he talks to, he is a caring person and comforts those in need. However he has his flaws as well: Charlie can get very angry and upset at others which causes him to lash out with violence or sadness, he is extremely sensitive, crying frequently and constantly questioning himself. Several of his peers labeled him as nerd or a weirdo, which damaged