Flowers for Algernon is a poignant science fiction short story written by Daniel Keyes. Originally published in 1959 as a short story, it later expanded into a full-length novel. The narrative is presented in the form of progress reports written by the protagonist, Charlie Gordon. It explores various themes such as the nature of intelligence, the ethics of scientific experimentation, and the human condition. It serves as a poignant reflection on the complexities of human emotions, relationships, and the potential consequences of tampering with intelligence. Daniel Keyes was an American author best known for his science fiction works. ‘Flowers for Algernon’ remains Keyes’ most well-known and celebrated work, winning the Hugo Award for Best Short Story in 1960 and the Nebula Award for Best Novel in 1966.
Flowers for Algernon | Summary
The story follows progress reports of Charlie Gordon, a 37-year-old man, who is participating in tests to determine if he can be used for something important. He hopes they can make him smart. During a recent test, he was shown inkblots on cards but couldn’t see the pictures others claimed to see. Despite trying hard, he feels he failed the test and worries about his chances of being used.
He discusses his experiences with various tests. He struggles with the inkblot and Thematic Apperception tests but shows determination. Eventually, Dr. Nemur and Dr. Strauss decide to use Charlie for an experiment to triple his intelligence surgically. Charlie is excited and grateful for the opportunity and expresses his determination to become smart. He undergoes the surgery and after the operation, he experiences mixed emotions and discomfort. Charlie finds it challenging to keep up with Algernon, the laboratory mouse in the experiments and tests. He returns to work at the factory but keeps his surgery a secret. Charlie’s colleagues make jokes about him, not understanding his transformation. His dislike for Algernon persists but Dr. STrauss convinces him to keep coming in for the tests. He also gives him a television to enhance his learning. Charlie expresses doubts about his progress and struggles to sleep due to the device. He also missed Ms. Kinnian. Later he describes his experiences at an office party where everyone seems to be making fun of him while his naive self is clueless.
In a new diary entry, he expresses his joy at being able to beat Algernon in the race multiple times. However, later he starts feeling sorry for the mouse. Miss Kinnian visits him and encourages him, praising his efforts and progress. Miss Kinnian acknowledges his learning speed and tells him not to be disheartened if people aren’t as nice as he thinks. He describes the various things he has been learning recently. However, he experiences a sense of emptiness and discomfort after attending a party where he becomes the subject of ridicule and realizes that his friends enjoy making fun of him.
He continues to make progress in his intelligence and learning feels better about his abilities and is reading and understanding more. He still struggles with feelings of anger and insecurity due to past ridicule. Charlie questions the concept of LO. (a measure of intelligence) and the Rorschach Test which the doctors plan on conducting on him. Charlie expresses a desire to learn more about psychology to gain a better understanding of these assessments.
He returns to his work and also continues to excel in his work and receives a bonus for his innovative ideas. However, he notices that his coworkers are becoming distant and treat him differently now that his behavior isn’t childlike. Charlie musters the courage to ask Miss Kinnian out for dinner. When he goes to discuss the same with Dr. Strauss he overhears him and Dr. Nemur argue over their contributions to the experiment involving Charlie. Dr. Nemur claims ownership and wants quick recognition, while Dr. Strauss wants to ensure accuracy before publication. At the dinner, Charlie and Miss KInian have a meaningful conversation about his progress. Charlie realizes that he has developed romantic feelings for Miss Kinnian.
Charlie Gordon faces rejection and isolation as his newfound intelligence sets him apart from those around him and he is fired from his job due to a petition signed by his coworkers. He also feels ashamed at not being able to write the progress reports for which the laboratory pays him. He reflects on his opinions of Dr Nemur and Dr Strauss.
He also reports a growing disconnection from Miss KInnian owing to his increasing intelligence. One day he witnesses a dishwasher at a diner accidentally breaking dishes, which leads to ridicule and laughter from the customers. However, Charlie’s perspective shifts, and he realizes the cruelty and hypocrisy in mocking someone with low intelligence. Charlie reflects on his own journey and the desire to be accepted and understood. He decides to use his intelligence and knowledge to contribute to the field of increasing human intelligence levels. Charlie plans to discuss the same with Dr. Strauss.
Charlie observes changes in Algernon’s behavior and deterioration, leading him to believe that the same fate awaits him. He is asked to stop coming to the lab, but he continues his research independently in order to save himself. Charlie’s mental deterioration becomes evident as he experiences forgetfulness, emotional instability, and loss of coordination. Algernon soon dies. Charlie becomes increasingly isolated, irritable, and suicidal. He reflects on his troubled childhood and the absence of his parents. Charlie struggles with reading and writing, often forgetting words and their meanings. His television set is broken, and he experiences frequent headaches. Mrs. Flynn, his landlady, calls a doctor to examine him, but Charlie becomes angry when the doctor patronizes him.
He realizes he needs to find work to pay his rent and decides to return to his old job. When he returns, he is initially met with suspicion but receives support and encouragement from some of his old colleagues, including Joe Carp and Frank Reilly. Charlie appreciates their friendship and assistance. Miss Kinnian tries to visit him, but he pushes her away, pretending not to like her anymore. However, deep down, he still loves her.
One day mistakenly he goes to his old classroom at the adult center, thinking he is still in Miss Kinnian’s class. When she reacts with surprise and tears, he realizes his mistake and feels embarrassed. He decides to leave New York, as he doesn’t want people to pity him or remember him as the former genius who has regressed. He plans to take a few books with him to practice reading and regain some of his knowledge. Charlie expresses gratitude for the experience of being smart and hopes to regain some level of intelligence. He mentions the good feeling he had while reading a torn blue book and wishes to experience that again. He says goodbye to Miss Kinnian, Dr. Strauss, and everyone else, and asks for flowers to be placed on Algernon’s grave.
Flowers for Algernon | Analysis
Modern-day scholars have focused on the story’s treatment of issues such as autism, disability, and ethics.
Tony Ullyatt uses a parabolic metaphor in order to describe Charlie’s ‘curative’ journey. This starts off in an unhealthy state, improves, but ultimately descends back into disease. The inverted U-curve is a good analogy for this. Charlie Gordon, the protagonist of the book, is the first person to undergo experimental surgery to treat his mental retardation by increasing his intelligence to at least a level approaching normality. Through a number of progress reports he produces, Charlie charts his journey through the experiment and its effects. While giving a description of what happens in Algernon’s situation, the reports’ wording exemplifies his development. Charlie experiences a substantial increase in his intelligence followed by an equally rapid decline. According to Ulyatt, ‘promise, threat and the trauma of failure’, characterized by the ‘ascent, apogee and descent’, define the structure of the story.
In another article, Ullyatt also interprets Charlie Gordon’s entrance into the medical field as a colonization of the body that brings with it a growing sense of ontological uneasiness. Charlie transitions into the world of medical research and takes on the role of the injured storyteller, providing a first-person narrative of his experiences both before and after the experiment. The question of time and how he may use it to best record the experiment becomes crucial as the surgery’s early success degrades into failure and the protagonist’s IQ gradually returns to its preoperative level. The article’s concluding portion focuses on how the protagonist’s ontological unease grows inextricably linked to the surgery’s failure.
The question of the colonization of the body points towards ethical issues in medical sciences. The likes of Nishan Ghoshal and Paul O. Wilkinson have put forward the idea that the story highlights several ethical issues regarding the treatment of the intellectually disabled. Charlie lacked the mental capacity to adequately consent to such a risky surgical procedure before the experiment started. Although the scientists gave him a brief explanation of the hazards, it is obvious from Charlie’s own descriptions that he had little understanding of what the doctors were saying and was therefore unable to give informed permission. If Charlie’s intellectual handicap could be treated, it would be in his best interests to undertake the surgery even though he does not fully understand it. For Charlie, the surgery carried significant dangers because it was entirely experimental and unproven. In fact, Charlie had substantial distress throughout the entire book as a result of issues brought on by what the experimenters may have deemed to be a gap in his intellectual and emotional development. The novel is an important remark on this topic because it is set in an era when American scientific research frequently took place without fully informed consent.
Brent Walter Cline argues that the success of David Keye’s writing appears to be founded on a straightforward interpretation of the book in which people with mental disabilities are treated with good-natured kindness. However, a closer examination of Charlie Gordon’s portrayal is quite problematic. Readers are originally expected to feel sorry for the pre-operative Charlie. Later, Charlie’s mental impairment soon takes on the figurative terror of oblivion that no character is able to defeat. This return to his preoperative state turns the novel’s rhetoric into that of horror.
Flowers for Algernon | Themes
The theme of disability is explored through the character of Charlie Gordon and his journey from mental disability to temporary intellectual brilliance and then back to disability. Due to his intellectual impairment, Charlie is insulted and tormented at the beginning of the novel. His coworkers mock him and treat him like a lower-class person. Charlie’s initial drive to participate in the experiment stems from his desire to fit in and be ‘normal.’ He longs to break free from the constraints placed on him by his intellectual impairment and to be accepted by society. The idea of normalcy is questioned by the story. Charlie struggles with issues of identity and self-acceptance as his IQ rises. He questions whether his newfound intelligence makes him a different person and struggles to reconcile his past self with his present abilities.
The issue of ethical considerations in conducting experiments on disabled people is a significant and provocative one. Informed permission and researchers’ ethical obligations when using vulnerable communities in trials are issues raised by the account. Due to his intellectual disability, Charlie is not completely able to understand the possible hazards and outcomes of the experiment. Charlie’s involvement in the experiment raises concerns about the balance of power between researchers and participants. It also exemplifies the moral conundrum of advancing science without fully comprehending its long-term consequences. Charlie experiences a brief period of cerebral brilliance as a result of the experiment but ultimately experiences a quick decrease and regression.
The theme of Charlie’s perception of Algernon is a significant aspect. Initially, Charlie sees Algernon as a competition, someone he has to beat in tests and tasks. However soon he begins to develop empathy and a sense of connection with Algernon. He sees Algernon as a fellow being who has also experienced the effects of the experiment, and their shared journey visualizes the bond between them. Algernon serves as a mirror and foil to Charlie. As Algernon’s intelligence initially surpasses Charlie’s, Charlie observes Algernon’s behavior and performance in the maze, learning from him and striving to emulate his success. Algernon’s decline also foreshadows Charlie’s own regression. Algernon’s death deeply affects Charlie. It serves as a turning point in the narrative, leading Charlie to confront his own mortality and the inevitability of his regression.
The theme of social and romantic relationships explores the impact of Charlie’s intellectual transformation on his interactions with others. At the beginning of the story, Charlie is often ridiculed and treated as an outsider, though he mostly remains oblivious to this. As he becomes more intelligent, he strives to fit in with his newfound intellectual peers and longs for meaningful connections. This desire for acceptance drives his pursuit of relationships, both social and romantic, as he hopes to find validation and emotional fulfillment. However, Charlie’s intellectual advancement distances him from others. He experiences instances of betrayal and realizes that not all individuals can be trusted, also coming to terms with instances of past ridicule and mockery that now make sense to him. Charlie’s romantic relationships, particularly his affection for Alice Kinnian play a significant role in the narrative. It delves into the emotional nuances of relationships and the impact of Charlie’s changing intelligence on his romantic pursuits.
Flowers for Algernon | Title
The flowers Charlie brings to Algernon’s grave after the mouse passes away just before he leaves for New York are the subject of the title. This deed of kindness demonstrates Charlie’s continued concern for Algernon despite the mouse’s absence. It also represents Charlie’s own mortality because he is aware that he will eventually meet Algernon’s demise. The flowers stand for Charlie’s never-ending generosity and compassion. After realizing that the mouse is also mistreated during the experiment, he initially feels insecure and competitive but soon develops feelings of connection and even friendship with the mouse. In a similar vein, as he bids everyone farewell at the end, he also leaves flowers for his little friend.
Flowers for Algernon | Character Sketch
Charlie Gordon: Charlie is a 32-year-old man with a low IQ. He is kind, gentle, and eager to please. He is also incredibly trusting and naive, which frequently results in him being taken advantage of. Charlie’s awareness of his surroundings and the people in it grows as his intelligence rises. He never compromises on his fundamental goodness and compassion, though.
Alice Kinnian: Alice is a teacher at the special school Charlie attends. Alice is a patient and caring person. She is always there to help Charlie since she believes in him and his potential. She offers him the educational opportunities and emotional support he needs as he develops.
Dr. Nemur: The group of scientists performing the experiment to boost IQ is led by Professor Nemur. In addition to being a bright scientist, he is also ambitious and cunning. Professor Nemur is prepared to go to all lengths necessary to ensure the experiment’s success, even if it means endangering Charlie’s life. He is not averse to using Charlie for his own benefit and is also ready to claim credit for Charlie’s achievements.
Dr. Strauss: Dr. Strauss is a psychiatrist who is involved in the experiment to increase intelligence. He is a good and compassionate man who is worried about the experiment’s moral ramifications. In the text, Dr. Strauss is a calming presence. He makes an effort to strike a balance between Professor Nemur’s ambition and his care for Charlie. He is the one who also assists Charlie in adjusting to the psychological and emotional impacts of the experiment.
Flowers for Algernon | Literary Devices
A realistic portrayal of a character’s thought process is the goal of the narrative technique known as stream of consciousness. Although it is an internal monologue, it goes beyond that. Stream-of-consciousness narration uses a lot of free association, looping repetitions, sensory observations, strange (or even nonexistent) punctuation, and syntax to mimic the non-linear way our brains work. This helps us better understand a character’s psychological state and worldview. The story also uses a first-person stream-of-consciousness style to delve into Charlie’s thoughts, emotions, and growth.
The story uses foreshadowing to hint toward possible plot points. Subtle references are made to the possibility of Charlie’s declining intelligence by referring to Algernon’s deteriorating condition, who had undergone the same experiment as Charlie.
‘…Burt, who is in charge of the experimental animals, tells me that Algernon is changing. He is less co-operative; he refuses to run the maze any more; general motivation has decreased. And he hasn’t been eating. Everyone is upset about what this may mean…’
In addition, Keyes also uses similes and metaphors throughout the story to improve on visualization.
‘You’re like a giant sponge now, soaking things in. Facts, figures, general knowledge.’
‘There are many levels, Charlie, like steps on a giant ladder that take you up higher and higher to see more and more of the world around you.’
‘We went through the cards slowly. One of them looked like a pair of bats tugging at something. Another one looked like two men fencing with swords.’
