Flowers for Algernon Final
Project
by Natalia Del Carlo
Thesis
The main character in the novel “ Flowers For
Algernon”, Charlie Gordon, views life more positively
with his less developed brain capacity. This is shown in
Charlie’s perception of people and his high motivation.
Charlies’ Perception of People
With his less developed brain capacity , Charlie finds the best in everyone.
Making comments like “ Burt is very nice”( pg.3) about one of the men
running the experiment or “.. this one is pritty, her name is Lucille.”
(p.17) His perception may have been a little too nice. Two of his
coworkers, Joe Carp and Frank Reilly make fun of Charlie, yet he laughs
and says “ that made me laff. They are my frends and they really like
me”. (p.22)
*misspellings in quotes are on purpose, its the way its written in the book*
Charlie’s High Motivation
Charlie’s less developed brain capacity also affected his
motivation, he strived to try and learn as much as he could
at his night school, along with being the best employee he
could be at his bakery job. Also, while being tested for the
experiment he was very motivated, even though he couldn’t
understand the Rorschach Test. Charlie’s motivation for
participating in the experiment came from his longing to
impress his mom, teacher, boss, and friends.
My Reflections on Brain Capacity
I have thought a lot about the IQ of people affecting their overall happiness and
attitudes. Research on the subject says people with lower IQ’s mean people are
less happy because they make less income. I feel as if lower IQ’s mean people
don’t focus on the complex, negative things happening in the world around them,
but rather the simple, happy things. In the story, Charlie states after his operation,
“I don’t know what’s worse, to not know what you are and be happy, or to become
what you’ve always wanted to be and feel alone.”( pg. ) I feel that’s where the
saying “ignorance is bliss” comes from.
My Favorite Thoughts From Charlie
- “ How strange is it that people of honest feelings and sensibility, who
would not take advantage of a man born without arms or legs or eyes-how
such people think nothing of abusing a man born with low intelligence ”
(pg.199)
- “I passed your floor on the way up, and now I am passing it on the way
down, and I don’t think I will be taking this elevator again” (pg.201)
- “ P.S. if you get a chance please put some flowers on Algernon’s grave in
the backyard” (pg.216)
- “ They had pretended to be geniuses, but they were just ordinary men
working blindly, pretending to be able to bring light into the darkness.
Why is it that everyone lies? No one I know is who he appears to be”
(pg.105)