Monday, February 16, 2009
Summary of Flowers for AlgernonThe story plot of Flowers for Algernon basically revolves around Charlie Gordon, a middle-aged man who is mentally disabled, and has an IQ of 68. However, his intelligence is boosted when he undergoes an operation, tripling temporarily. The chance is given to him as Miss
Kinnian, his teacher at night school, comments on how hardworking he is and how strong his determination is.
Charlie works at Donner's Bakery in New York City as a janitor and delivery boy. The other employees often taunt him and pick on him, but Charlie is unable to understand that he is the subject of mockery. He believes that his coworkers are his good friends. Charlie undergoes a series of tests including a maze against Algernon, a lab rat that had received the operation Charlie would be receiving. Due to Algernon's amazing intelligence, he would always beat Charlie.
Charlie is initially disappointed that there is no immediate change in his intellect, but with work and help from Miss
Kinnian, he gradually improves his spelling and grammar. Charlie begins to read adult books, slowly at first, then voraciously, filling his brain with knowledge from many academic fields. He shocks the workers at the bakery by inventing a process designed to improve productivity.
However, due the difference in Charlie, the workers all sign a petition for him to be fired. All, except Fanny. She tells him that she does not know what he has done to become that intelligent but he prefers the old him. Charlie then understands he is being ostracised due to his sudden boost of intelligence. Upon realising this, Charlie feels miserable.
Gradually, Charlie realises he has fallen for Miss Kinnian. However, they can't seem to be able to communicate and Charlie is really frustrated about it. Moreover, he found out that he clearly seen Dr Strauss and Dr Nemur for the first time. Charli feels betrayed, angry, yet disappointed as to why he was not able to communicate with anyone anymore. It is no wonder people say that ignorance is bliss.
Charlie realizes that Nemur's hypothesis contains an error and that there is a possibility that his intelligence gain will only be temporary. Algernon's intelligence begins to slip, and his behavior becomes erratic. Charlie worries that whatever happens to Algernon will soon happen to him as well. He thus researches on this.
Charlie succeeds in finding the error in Nemur's hypothesis, scientifically proving that a flaw in the operation will cause his intelligence to vanish as quickly as it has come. Charlie calls this phenomenon the “Algernon-Gordon Effect.” As he passes through a stage of average intelligence on his way back to retardation, he returns to his old job at the bakery, where his coworkers welcome him back with kindness.
Charlie forgets that he is no longer enrolled in Miss Kinnian's night-school class for retarded adults, and he upsets her by showing up. In fact, Charlie has forgotten their entire romantic relationship. Having decided to remove himself from the people who have known him and now feel sorry for him, he checks himself into a home for disabled adults. His last request is for the reader of his manuscript to leave fresh flowers on Algernon's grave.
posted @ 12:46 AM
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