Essay On Flowers for Algernon

A detailed Summary of Essay On 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 o


At the end of the book, Charlie realizes that the retarded boy who lay hidden inside his sub-conscious deserved a chance to live his life...although it may not be on the same intellectual level as others in our society. Maybe the operation shouldn't have even been performed in the first place? Maybe the nurse was right when she said that we should simply appreciate what God gave us and live our lives to the fullest? Maybe we shouldn't try to change what seems as if it was meant to be? I'll leave you with one final quote from the book that pertains to this question: "Who's to say that my light is better than his darkness?" It refers to whether or not a "genius" lifestyle is in fact any better than a "retarded" lifestyle. Well, is it any better? Could it possibly be worse? Ahhhhh...I leave you with that question to contemplate.

ne of his co-workers at the bakery. Charlie's intelligence put him into just as much of a disadvantage as did his retardation.

In closing, this is a great story and provides much insight into our dealings with others, how different people look at the world, our intera

Some common words found in the essay are:
Alice Hannigan, , Charlie Gordon's, Daniel Keys, mentally challenged, algernon undergone,

Approximate Word count = 740
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

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