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Daniel Keyes (1927-2014) was an American author best known for his science fiction novel
"Flowers for Algernon," which explores themes of intelligence, identity, and the human
condition. Early Life and Education:
5.
Keyes continued to write and teach creative writing even after the success of
"Flowers for Algernon."
6. Mr. Keyes was the editor of Marvel Science Stories, a pulp magazine published by
Magazine Management, and also wrote for the company’s comic book line, Atlas
Comics.
2.Short summary
1. Smart
This term refers to someone who has a high level of intellectual capability,
often associated with problem-solving and quick thinking. It's a positive and
widely used synonym for "intelligent."
2. Bright
1. Stupid
This is a direct opposite of "intelligent" and
The choice of word depends on the context and the level of emphasis you want to
convey. For instance, if you want to compliment someone's intelligence, you would
use a synonym like "smart" or "bright." If you want to criticize someone's lack of
intelligence, you might use an antonym like "stupid" or "ignorant."
on an island.
Miss Kinnian told Charlie that he was making a great
contribution to science.
Charlie overheard a conversation in which Dr. Nemur’s wife is
Characters as Symbols
Algernon's journey is a reflection of Charlie's own reality and the mortality he has to
eventually accept and face. For Charlie, Algernon symbolizes his own identity and
struggles. For the reader, Algernon symbolizes fate, reality, and death.
Unfortunately, as time passes, Algernon, the mouse who underwent the same
procedure, starts to show signs of regression, losing his increased intelligence.
Charlie begins to fear that he will suffer the same fate. His fears become a
reality when he, too, starts to regress mentally.
The story is both heartwarming and heartbreaking, offering a powerful commentary on the
human condition and the value of empathy and understanding.
3. TEXT ANALYSIS
1. Dr. Strauss and Dr. Nemur, are planning an experiment to increase
human intelligence through surgical means. They want to perform a
procedure on a human subject that they have previously tested on a
laboratory mouse named Algernon. The procedure involves a
surgical technique to artificially increase intelligence.
1. Increased Intelligence: The doctors expect that the surgical procedure will
significantly increase the intelligence of the human subject, much like it did with
Algernon. They hope that the subject will experience a dramatic improvement in
cognitive abilities, including learning, memory, problem-solving, and overall mental
function.
2. Enhanced Learning: The subject is expected to learn and retain information at an
accelerated rate, making rapid progress in various intellectual pursuits.
Scientific Advancement: Dr. Strauss and Dr. Nemur also hope that the success
of this experiment will contribute significantly to the field of science and our
understanding of human intelligence.
Charlie Gordon, the protagonist of the story, and Algernon, the laboratory
mouse, were subjected to the same tests and experiments because the
doctors wanted to determine the effectiveness and safety of the surgical
procedure before attempting it on a human. Algernon was the initial test
subject, and the success of the procedure on him led the doctors to believe it
might work on a human as well. Charlie, who had an intellectual disability, was
chosen as the human subject for the experiment due to his willingness and
desire to become smarter.
1. 2. Charlie's Motivation: Charlie is highly motivated to become smarter. Despite his
intellectual disability, he has a strong desire to learn and improve himself. He
attends night classes at the Beekman College Center for Retarded Adults to improve
his reading and writing skills. His motivation and determination make him an ideal
candidate.
2. Willingness to Participate: Charlie willingly agrees to undergo the experimental
surgery to increase his intelligence. He is eager to take the opportunity to enhance
his cognitive abilities, demonstrating his commitment to the experiment.
3. Emotional Stability: Charlie is emotionally stable and capable of understanding the
risks and implications of the surgery. His emotional resilience is a crucial factor in his
suitability for the procedure.
3. In "Flowers for Algernon" by Daniel Keyes, the first sign of Charlie's
intelligence changing after the surgery is his rapid improvement in
spelling and grammar. Shortly after the operation, he starts to write
progress reports, and his writing initially reflects his limited
knowledge and education. he becomes more proficient in expressing
himself in writing. His vocabulary expands, and his reports become more
coherent and sophisticated.