1. What is the significance of the window in the novel? The window is an important symbol in Flowers for Algernon On a literal level, a window is an object that allows the penetration of light By admitting light, it facilitates illumination or understanding A window allows someone on the inside to look out, and …
Daniel Keyes was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1927 As a young man, he served in the US Maritime Service and later received a BA in psychology from Brooklyn College (CUNY) Early in his professional life, Keyes worked as an editor of fiction; he was also employed in the fashion photography industry He later …
“I want to be smart.” p. 1 Charlie makes this statement in the opening page of the novel. “And she said mabey they got no rite to make me smart because if god wantid me to be smart he would have made me born that way.” p. 16 Charlie recalls this comment, made by his …
Mans Inhumanity to Man One of the primary themes in Flowers for Algernon centers on mans inhumanity to man. Though the novel doesnt involve the horrific crimes against humanity seen in war or unjust social policy, we do see humans mistreating each other throughout the novel. The novel suggests that even when we have the …
Maze The maze is an important symbol in the novel. Although it is a literal maze, it is also a symbol for life. Thus, as we move through life, we all must figure out how to navigate the maze. Algernon is literally a rat who runs in a maze, but we must also consider that …
AlgernonAlgernon is a mouse that earlier underwent the same operation as Charlie. Algernon becomes an expert at running highly complex mazes. Charlie competes with Algernon in maze races. As the experiment progresses, Algernons demeanor becomes unpredictable and aggressive. This signals a problem with the experiment. Eventually, Algernons abilities radically regress, and he dies. Charlie comes …
The final progress report opens with Charlie realizing that his mind is changing. Hes very irritable and often fights with his neighbors. He hates to sleep because of nightmares and the fact that he resents wasting any time. He has contemplated suicide, but he feels that such an act wouldnt be fair to the old …
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Charlie visits the Warren Home; hes feeling depressed. Mr. Winslow, the homes head psychiatrist, shows Charlie around the facility. Charlie is surprised that there isnt a fence around the compound, but Winslow that notes that its generally not necessary. During the tour, they encounter a nurse named Thelma, who seems dedicated to her work and …
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Charlie opens this report by referring to his “escape.” The media have picked up the story, and Charlie reads a newspaper article in which his sister and mother are interviewed. The article notes that Rose and Norma havent had any contact with Charlie for seventeen years. In the article Norma comments that she thought that …
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Charlie returns to the lab. Nemur is cold toward him, and Charlie suspects this is because the Welberg Foundation has granted Charlie approval to work on the project. Burt Selden feels that Algernons intelligence has dropped because the mouse cannot solve the complex mazes as readily as before. Burt shows Charlie around the lab, and …
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