Although it may seem that many ideas are better unknown, ignorance is not bliss. Written by Daniel Keyes, the short story Flowers for Algernon demonstrates exactly this through the web of thoughts that criss-cross the mind of Charlie Gordon, a 37-year-old man who has a learning disability. While Charlie believes in the beginning that he has friends, oblivious to the fact that they are continually bullying him for entertainment, what he desires most is a chance to have genuine friends and be accepted in his community, constantly thinking about how he can change to become more like his colleagues and neighbors. Consequently, when his teacher offers him a chance to undergo a surgery which will substantially raise his intelligence level, Charlie
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During the escalation of his intelligence, Charlie is seated at a diner and notices a young worker drop a tray of dishes, resulting in a series of insults yelled from the diner customers. Charlie proceeds to laugh along with the people in the diner and abruptly realizes that the boy is mentally disabled. Infuriated at himself and the crowd of tormentors, Charlie realizes that, “not too long ago, I like this boy, had foolishly played the clown” (Fleischman 19). Looking at the young worker, Charlie sees a mirror of himself for the first time, aware of the image that others observed when they met Charlie Gordon. The boy in the diner demonstrates a reflection of Charlie, making a fool of himself while attempting to please his companions yet simultaneously oblivious to the taunts and insults he receives in return. By comparing himself to a ‘clown’, Charlie understands that his previous endeavors at friendship had been in vain, only a clownlike source of goofy entertainment for his colleagues. Having witnessed the stark similarities between himself and the young dishwasher and the reactions bestowed upon them by surrounding people in their respective situations, Charlie’s belief that his friends have taken advantage of his disability is confirmed. This moment transforms Charlie’s view of the world as he finally understands how others will take advantage of …show more content…
As he prepares to move on from life in New York, he reflects on the many discoveries that he made, the obstacles he had overcome. He proudly smiles to himself, thinking, “I bet Im the first dumb person in the world who ever found out something importent for sience [sic]” (Fleischman 28). Charlie may no longer have the capability to write complex scientific studies; nonetheless, he has a sense of dignity in what he fulfilled earlier, feeling that it is a feat achieved for all. Charlie is proud not only for himself but also for others, like the young boy in the diner, optimistically making his way through life despite the challenges he faces. As Charlie mentions that he is the ‘first dumb person’ to make a scientific discovery, he suggests that not only does he understand that he may not have the highest intelligence, but he embraces it and will persevere to contribute positively to assist in the studies of the human brain and more. This displays Charlie’s point of view as he grasps a new approach on life, motivated to work his hardest to improve his intellectual capabilities and possibly acquire a substantial amount of knowledge once
During the escalation of his intelligence, Charlie is seated at a diner and notices a young worker drop a tray of dishes, resulting in a series of insults yelled from the diner customers. Charlie proceeds to laugh along with the people in the diner and abruptly realizes that the boy is mentally disabled. Infuriated at himself and the crowd of tormentors, Charlie realizes that, “not too long ago, I like this boy, had foolishly played the clown” (Fleischman 19). Looking at the young worker, Charlie sees a mirror of himself for the first time, aware of the image that others observed when they met Charlie Gordon. The boy in the diner demonstrates a reflection of Charlie, making a fool of himself while attempting to please his companions yet simultaneously oblivious to the taunts and insults he receives in return. By comparing himself to a ‘clown’, Charlie understands that his previous endeavors at friendship had been in vain, only a clownlike source of goofy entertainment for his colleagues. Having witnessed the stark similarities between himself and the young dishwasher and the reactions bestowed upon them by surrounding people in their respective situations, Charlie’s belief that his friends have taken advantage of his disability is confirmed. This moment transforms Charlie’s view of the world as he finally understands how others will take advantage of …show more content…
As he prepares to move on from life in New York, he reflects on the many discoveries that he made, the obstacles he had overcome. He proudly smiles to himself, thinking, “I bet Im the first dumb person in the world who ever found out something importent for sience [sic]” (Fleischman 28). Charlie may no longer have the capability to write complex scientific studies; nonetheless, he has a sense of dignity in what he fulfilled earlier, feeling that it is a feat achieved for all. Charlie is proud not only for himself but also for others, like the young boy in the diner, optimistically making his way through life despite the challenges he faces. As Charlie mentions that he is the ‘first dumb person’ to make a scientific discovery, he suggests that not only does he understand that he may not have the highest intelligence, but he embraces it and will persevere to contribute positively to assist in the studies of the human brain and more. This displays Charlie’s point of view as he grasps a new approach on life, motivated to work his hardest to improve his intellectual capabilities and possibly acquire a substantial amount of knowledge once