Flowers for Algernon
By: Jon • Essay • 625 Words • December 14, 2009 • 2,712 Views
Essay title: Flowers for Algernon
Flowers for Algernon 224 pages
"Hurting Charlie" When was the last time you wanted something so much, you would sacrifice your life to have it; even if just for a moment? Charlie
Gordon, a 37 year old man with a learning disability, did just that. In the story "Flowers for Algernon", by Daniel Keyes, Charlie gets a chance to alter his
I.Q. substantially through operation. The only drawback to this is, the
long-term outcomes of the operation are unknown. The operation does
succeed, but later Charlie is sent on a riveting downward spiral into the life he
tried to run away from. The operation hurt Charlie in every imaginable way;
and did nothing to help him. Is it not better to do your best than to be the
best? Charlie Gordon was a motivated man who always put forth as much
effort as he could! He struggled for independence and freedom in a world he
desperately wanted to be a part of. A statement such as, "Im gonna try awful
hard" is often heard spoken by Charlie. Everybody notices how hard Charlie
tries to be what he considers normal. Dr. Strauss described Charlie best
when he said, "But most people of his low mentality are hostile and
uncooperative. They are usually dull, apathetic, and hard to reach. He has a
good nature. He's interested and eager to please". If a person is doing the
best they can for the circumstances, isn't that the best? Why should a person
feel pressured to be what he isn't capable of being? After the operation,
Charlie first doesn't even want to try, then can't remember what it means to
try, and finally, doesn't have hope enough to try. His statement changes from,
"Im gonna try awful hard" to, "maybe its just easier not to do what I say Im
going to do"! the thought to try his best never even occurs. He lost one of his
most valuable qualities due to his need to conform. If a man does not know
of hurt and suffering, he should not have to know. Before Charlie knew the
truth of his life and was able to look back on it, he didn't know of some
horrible feelings. He never had to feel ugly, unwanted, alone, and most of