Charlie's Friendship In 'Flowers For Algernon'

Having friends is a crucial part in having a healthy sociable side. In Flowers for Algernon, Charlie learns the hard way that not everyone is friendly. “I never knew before that Joe and Frank and the other liked to have me around just to make fun of me. Now I know what they mean when they say “to pull a Charlie Gordon”.” (pg. 42) Once Charlie started to become smarter, many of his friendships were exposed. He realized that his bakery “friends” weren’t really his friends and just took advantage of him because of his low IQ. As Charlie began to “come out of the cave”, his thoughts advanced up, and isn’t ignorant around the topic of friendships. The statement “to pull a Charlie Gordon” was an insult, but was never recognized as one, wrecking Charlie more on the inside when he realized how …show more content…
The way Charlie finally took notice about the situation, he separated himself, showing he had grown both friendship wise and independently. In the movie, Awakenings, Dr. Sayer also grows with his friendships. Although he didn’t “get rid” of any of his friends, he realizes who his friends are. Towards the beginning of the movie, there are many shots of Dr. Sayer alone, with no one at all. When he starts working at the hospital, he eventually befriends Eleanor and Leonard, whom which he never even thought of having more than a working relationship with. Dr. Sayer learns how to increase his social side and take risks to get to know the people around him daily. He learned to set aside his fears and everyone’s differences and realizes that with friends, he would live a happier life. The way he befriended Leonard even though he was once catatonic, and stayed friends with him even after he became catatonic again shows how much friendship really is another unreplaceable spot in the