 |
Flowers For Algernon
|
Below is one of our free research papers on Flowers For Algernon. If the term paper below is not exactly what you're looking for, you can search our essay database for other topics.
Flowers for Algernon
In this story, the intelligence of a mentally challenged man is greatly enhanced by neuro-surgical treatments. He forms an attachment with a mouse named Algernon who has already undergone this same treatment shortly before him. Charlie is asked to keep a dairy and the novel consists of his daily reports. As his intelligence grows Charlie becomes more aware of his status. He soon develops into a "super genius" and finds he is just as isolated and lonely (if not, more so) as he was before the treatment. I felt that I could "see" the characters develop before my eyes, especially the "young" Charlie who haunted the "older" Charlie while he was in his genius state. Daniel Keys was able to make the people (pepul) come alive by painting their portraits with Charlie Gordon's words. I don't remember when I have read a book that incorporated so many interesting ideas and concepts into the actions of one person. Also, it seems to me that Charlie was right when he wrote, "Ironic that my intelligence doesn't help me solve a problem like this." He was referring to a moral decision he had to make about one of his co-workers at the bakery. Charlie's intelligence put him into just as much of a disadvantage as did his retardation. He never could fully relate to or understand Alice Hannigan, though he did know that he loved her. Unfortunately, she loved the retarded, yet compassionate, sensitive, and good-natured Charlie. She just couldn't have the best of both worlds...h...
|