Flowers for Algernon

A detailed Summary of Flowers for Algernon

When was the last time you wanted something so much, you would sacrifice your life to have it; even if just for a moment? Charlie Gordon, a 37 year old man with a learning disability, did just that. In the story "Flowers for Algernon", by Daniel Keyes, Charlie gets a chance to alter his I.Q. substantially through operation. The only drawback to this is, the long-term outcomes of the operation are unknown. The operation does succeed, but later Charlie is sent on a riveting downward spiral into the life he tried to run away from. The operation hurt Charlie in every imaginable way; and did nothing to help him.

Is it not better to do your best than to be the best? Charlie Gordon was a motivated man who always put forth as much effort as he could! He struggled for independence and freedom in a world he desperately wanted to be a part of. A statement such as, "Im gonna try awful hard" is often heard spoken by Ch

"What did I do to make them hate me so?" Though Charlie never had true friends, was he not still happy with them? Was it truly horrible for him to believe he was well liked? The operation caused people to become frightened of him and separate themselves from him. He becomes progressively more lonely and confined. "I find that I don't communicate much anymore." The only reason Charlie wanted the operation was to communicate with others on a higher level; but it did just the opposite!

arlie. Everybody notices how hard Charlie tries to be what he considers normal. Dr. Strauss described Charlie best when he said, "But most people of his low mentality are hostile and uncooperative. They are usually dull, apathetic, and hard to reach. He has a good nature. He's interested and eager to please". If a person is doing the best they can for the circumstances, isn't that the best? Why should a person feel pressured to be what he isn't capa

Some common words found in the essay are:
Dr Strauss, Charlie Gordon, Keyes Charlie, Hurting Charlie, gonna try awful, charlie gordon, Charlie I'm, try awful hard, im gonna try, awful hard, try awful, person feel, gonna try, im gonna,

Approximate Word count = 638
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Novels

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