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Flowers for algernon

            Novelist use a variety of techniques in constructing stories to communicate themes and even their attitude towards a certain subject. The short story "Flowers for Algernon," written by Daniel Keyes is told as a series of progress reports written by Charlie Gordon a thirty-two year old man whos Intelligence Quotient of 68 is tripled by an experimental surgical procedure. Unfortunately the effects of the operation wear off after a couple of months, and Charlie is once again of subnormal intelligence. Much of the stories power comes from Keye's clever use of point of view, structure, characters, and language. All these techniques help to convey the themes. Perhaps the most important of these is the use and abuse of science and technology, but you must also notice the alienation of Charlie who is at odds with society and who struggles to have relationships with others because of his disabilities.
             Keye's remarkable use of first person point of view is perhaps the most important source of the stories narrative power. Charlies journey from an IQ of 68 to one almost three times as high, and his fall back into subnormal intelligence is told in progress reports written by Charlie for the scientists conducting the experiment that raised his IQ. The reports are written with poor English, full off mistakes one would expect from writing by a mentally handicapped adult. In the first paragraph you can see the mistakes that are made by Charlie:.
             Dr Strauss says I shud rite down what I think and evrey thing that happins to me from now on. I don't know why but he says its importint so they will see if they will use me.
             As Charlies intelligence grows, his reports become more literate and sophisticated and you can see how proud he is of his progress. When he becomes smart he realises that he has been treated unjustly as a mentally challenged person.


Essays Related to Flowers for algernon

1. Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes

In this essay, I will discuss several important aspects of the novel, "Flowers for Algernon," by providing facts and opinions highlighted in the novel as well as those of other learned people. ... " (Flowers for Algernon) and this specific part of the novel is where Charlie decides to be the person who will show Algernon the respect he deserves by becoming his friend, "I think I'll be friends with Algernon" (Flowers for Algernon). ... When Algernon dies, Charlie is devastated but also terrified that the same thing will happen to him, indicating that Algernon could be his alter e...

  • Word Count: 1037
  • Approx Pages: 4
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: Graduate

2. Comparisons Between The Notebook and Flowers for Algernon

Two novels that have very comparable themes are: Flowers For Algernon, by Daniel Keyes and The Notebook, by Nicholas Sparks. ... Flowers For Algernon, is the story of a 32 year-old, mentally retarded man named, named Charlie. ... In Flowers for Algernon, Charlie becomes intelligent and he is mindful of his thoughts, and memories of the past. ... In Flowers for Algernon, Charlie doesn't really have any true friends, although he does have many acquaintances. ... In Flowers for Algernon, Charlie learns to remember when he becomes intelligent, only to find that once he returns to his r...

  • Word Count: 658
  • Approx Pages: 3
  • Grade Level: High School

3. Flowers for Algernon

Flowers for Algernon - written by Daniel Keyes Charlie Gordan is in the beginning of this sciencefictionous short story a mentally deficient 27-year old and attends a class for slow adults. ... First of all the idea of the novel " Flowers for Algernon " is that Charlie has an emotional relation with Algernon because of the strong resemblance of identity. ... Kinnian and the doctors to put flowers on Algernons grave, he's at the same time applying to his presence and his equality to Algernon. ... Also Charlie's last request in the progress reports was to put flowers on Alg...

  • Word Count: 1285
  • Approx Pages: 5
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

4. Flowers for Algernon

One literary work which validates this statement is Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes, inwhich Charlie Gordon experiences the parallels and differences of life as a "moron," compared to that of a "genuis." The novel by Daniel Keyes, Flowers for Algernon, is set in New York City during the mid-1960s, Charlie Gordon, characterized as an affable, benevolent and eager to please mentally retarded man, is recommended by Alice Kinnian, a teacher at the Beekman College Center for Retarded Adults, to undergo an experimental surgery to increase his intelligence because she was impressed by t...

  • Word Count: 1093
  • Approx Pages: 4
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

5. The Role of Science in Flowers For Algernon

This is the case in the story "Flowers for Algernon." ... This testing consists of Charlie competing with a mouse named Algernon to see who could complete a maze first. ... Algernon was their first test study, and he was not yet done with all of his evaluations. ... Over time Charlie became more intelligent just as did Algernon. ... The story "Flowers for Algernon" truly paints a perfect picture of the role of science and its limits and responsibilities. ...

  • Word Count: 1169
  • Approx Pages: 5
  • Grade Level: High School

6. Flowers For Algernon

In the book, Flowers for Algernon, by Daniel Keyes, this particular operation was performed on a patient named Charlie Gordon. ... He was not capable at start of the film to make such an important decision and it should not have been laid in his hands, he was angry when he realised this because the "before" Charlie didn't understand what the consequences were and was only focussed on achieving his goal of beating Algernon. ...

  • Word Count: 550
  • Approx Pages: 2
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

7. LITERATURE AND SOCIAL ISSUES

Using a set text, analyse the methods authors use to discuss social issues Flowers for Algernon is a genuine example of how literature could be used effectively to convey social issues. ... Characterisations were effective in bringing out the theme of emotions of people with a disability in Flowers for Algernon. ... Characterisations in Flowers for Algernon were effective in bringing out the theme of perception of difference. ... The issues of risks involved in applying scientific technology, was reflected through the characterisations of Flowers for Algernon. ... Hence, the social issue o...

  • Word Count: 2011
  • Approx Pages: 8
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

8. Movie and Book - Flowers for Algernon

Charlie Gordon, a handicapped man that tried to change the world, I believe is a better story told from a book than seen as a movie. You could see Charlie's improvements in the progress reports while the movie had no way of showing them. All of the characters in the book seemed to be more complex wh...

  • Word Count: 582
  • Approx Pages: 2
  • Grade Level: High School

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