Flowers for Charlie “Those who use others are stupid but those who are used are even more stupid” (Internet). Charlie Gordon, the main character in Daniel Keyes’ book, Flowers for Algernon, ended up being in worse condition after undergoing a surgical procedure that was supposed to heighten his intelligence. Furthermore, the scientists unfortunately did not use ethics or take enough care in treating Charlie causing his now worse condition to be their own fault. Their greed led them to abuse and take advantage of Charlie, a very gullible and persuadable because of his low intelligence, and their mistakes led Charlie to his death, the ultimate sacrifice. The choice of using Charlie Gordon in Daniel Keyes’ book, Flowers for Algernon, for an intelligence altering surgery was unethical and biased. The first reason that Charlie should not have been chosen for the surgery is that it left him and his life in worse condition than when before the surgery. “ I dont want Miss Kinnian to feel sorry for me. Evry body feels sorry at the factery and I dont want that eather so Im going some place where nobody knows that Charlie Gordon was once a genus and now he cant reed a book or rite good” (Keyes 210). This quote illustrates that Charlie has …show more content…
Charlie did not even benefit that well from being a test subject in the experiment. Similarly, the treatment of Charlie was not very ethical because he was not treated specially for his mental state of disability. Lastly, this surgery did not provide enough benefits to even dent the weight of his unethical death. In the story Charlie was used because of his inferior intelligence and not treated well enough as he should have which led to his wrongful death. This story was fictional, but the use and abuse of human test subjects is
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Show More“Flowers for Algernon” Argumentative Essay In the story “Flowers for Algernon” by Daniel Keys, a man named Charles Gordon decides to receive brain surgery. He was hoping that the surgery would increase his intellectual ability, but he should not have chosen to receive the operation. All of the mice, including Algernon, died during the experiment. While Algernon was relapsing, Charlie was expelled from his job.
Algernon Essay Imagine the opportunity to triple your IQ by a simple surgery. Would you take it? Charlie had that opportunity and took it. Charlie Gordon was a 37 year old man with an IQ of 68, and eventually, 204 as a result of the surgery. Before the surgery, he was a janitor in a factory, working for low pay to minimum wage.
The author uses this device to show the character’s realization of how American society values intelligence and education. As Charlie’s intelligence grows, he is able to understand and connect with his peers, as shown when he says, “I am beginning to understand Algernon’s behavior, and it’s beginning to make sense to me” (Keyes, 23). This quote highlights how knowledge can foster empathy and understanding, which is
Then I'll be abel to reed better and spell the werds good and know lots of things and be like other pepul. Boy that woud serprise everyone.” (8) This quote shows Charlie’s determination to become smart to impress his family and make friends. “Evry morning I think Im gone to be smart but nothing happins. Mabye the experimint dint werk.
Some people argue that in the story , ¨Flowers for Algernon¨ - a science fiction novel by Daniel Keyes - Charlie should not have gotten the operation . This Operation caused Charlie to become intelligent , but lose it later on . Even though it wasn’t all great , there were actually many positive things about it , even if he didn’t keep his intelligence . For one , Charlie had always wanted to be smart . He may not have stayed smart , but he got to know what it was like , and it was still a good experience .
Charlie Gordon starts to catch on to the symptoms of his operation and knowing that included on the list is death. He begins to catch on after Algernon dies, stating “I have become absent minded. Algernon died two days ago.” (Keyes) Charlie now understands that this will soon become his reality, too.
However, after the surgery, Charlie finds intelligence was a nice treat but was far from an importance in life and only took him away from what truly mattered. One could believe Charlie was wrong to undergo the surgery because of the side effects that came with the surgery such as physical and emotional instability, and amnesia, the depresion it came with, and how he lost all of his friends and loved ones with his extreme intelligence. First off, one reason Charlie should not have gotten the surgery is the depression and suicidal thoughts it came with for
In the book Flowers For Algernon by Daniel Keyes, Charlie Gordon is a 32 year old who is not smarter than the average man. Charlie has a mental disability that makes him have a lower IQ than most people. Charlie has a deep desire to increase his intelligence so he can become sociable and interact with other people. He undergoes an operation that could increase his intelligence, which it does. Now that his !
In the novel, Flowers of Algernon, by Daniel Keyes, Charlie Gordon, who was born with an unusually low IQ, has been chosen for an experimental surgery that researchers hope will increase his intelligence. This operation is a success and has mainly a positive effect on Charlie’s life. In the beginning of the novel, it is obvious that Charlie wanted to be smarter than his natural IQ of 68. Following the surgery, he can remember trying to make rolls at the bakery he worked at (62.) He can also read much better, “The university library is my second home now.
Flowers For Algernon Daniel Keyes Do you want to see someone get experimented on and tested on then you should read the story “ Flowers For Algernon” written by Daniel Keyes. In the story Charlie Gordon is the main character in the story he is mentally challenged man he is often made fun of . Charlie was smart at a point in his life, but he has lost all of it. Should he get an operation to make him smart again?
Although, if Charlie did not have the surgery, he would not have had the experience of becoming super smart. Charlie would agree with me that he did not feel happy with himself that he had the surgery. He decided that he wanted to leave New York because he was so embarrassed about pulling a “Charlie Gordon.” Charlie should not have had the surgery because, before the surgery, he had the motivation to become smart, and after the surgery, he became depressed and realized that the world plus the people in it are
This is because they hadn't shown enough concern to tell Charlie how he would function both during and after the operation. In "Flowers for Algernon," Charlie Gordon is made fun of for his low IQ, but shunned by coworkers during the experiment. After the experiment had been completed, it was near impossible for Charlie to return to his normal life. "This intellegnce has driven a wedge between me and the people I once knew and loved" (Keyes 72). Charlie also had much trouble returning to his normal life before the surgery, and example is, "I did a dumb thing today I forgot I wasn't in Miss Kinnians
On March 25th, a couple of days after the surgery, Charlie was writing about his “friends”. He wrote, “Sometimes somebody will say hey at Joe or Frank or George he really pulled a Charlie Gordon. I dont know why they that but they always laff.” (Keyes 354)
Daniel Keyes betrays the theme that intelligence doesn’t affect who you truly are. Before the operation, Charlie has a motivated characteristic and it is still there after the operation when he was getting more intelligent. I know this because in the passage it says, “ I’ll show that mouse I can be as smart as he is (Keyes p. 352),” which shows that Charlie is motivated before the operation . The test also says, “ Miss Kinnian teaches me to spell better (Keyes p. 358),” which shows that Charlie was still motivated and still working to get smarter after the operation. Charlie is a motivated character and that doesn’t change after the operation.
Meaning that Charlie wanted to be smart and worked hard but always had the mindset that he was not smart, wondering why he was not as smart as everyone else. He was not in the mindset that he could be smart. Even though these reasons may be true, Charlie learned and experienced much more than everyone else with the opportunity he was given. He was smart enough to know to take an opportunity with a questionable