Flowers For Algernon :: essays research papers

Algernon is a mouse. Hes a special mouse, Charlie Gordonis told, and it must be true, because whenever Charlie andAlgernon run a race (Algernon is in a real maze Charlie has apencil-and-paper version), Algernon wins. How did that mouseget to be so special, Charlie wonders?The answer is that Algernons IQ has beentripled by an experimental surgical procedure.The scientists who performed the experimentnow need a human subject to test, and Charliehas been recommended to them by hisnight-school teacher, Miss Kinnian. Charlies a good medical prognosisfor the procedure, because even though he currently has an I.Q.of only 68, he is willing, super motivated and eager to learn.Hes convinced that if he could only learn to record and write, thesecret of being smart would be revealed to him. Charlie wants to be smart because he works as a janitor in afactory where he has many friends, but even as he goes alongwith their hijinks, he suspects his friends mock him. Theopportunity to be made sma rt--really smart--is irresistible, eventhough theres a chance that the results of the operation will onlybe temporary. Because Charlie wants his co-workers to accepthim.And in this lies the tale. Charlie does indeed get smarter. Hestruggles to absorb as much acquaintance as he can in whatevertime he has. He suggests a untested way to line up the machines atthe factory, saving the possessor tens of thousands of dollars a yearin operating costs, and the owner gives him a $25 fillip. Butwhen Charlie suggests to his factory friends that he could use hisbonus to treat them to lunch or a drink, they set out other things todo. Charlies to a fault smart for them now. Hes even smart enoughto assist with the research on intelligence enhancement. Hessmart enough to suddenly perceive Miss Kinnian with neweyes...and fall in love.Everybody is CharlieFlowers for Algernon is such a beloved classic that it hasremained in print since 1959 and is now in its 58th edition. It hasreceived science fictions highest honors, the Hugo and NebulaAwards. Its been translated into dozens of languages, adaptfor TV, and performed on stage. Cliff Robertson won an Oscarfor his performance in the 1968 movie version, Charly.Everybody loves Charlies tier because Charlie is sovulnerable, so representative of readers internal desires to fit in,to be smart, to have friends, to love. Everyone carries theancient baggage of childhood, a time when others (adults, olderchildren) were the keepers of the secret cognition of theworld. The revelation of Charlies raw hopes and dreams