Fatal Mistake In Daniel Keyes 'Flowers For Algernon'

Hanna Mann
16 September, 2015
Period Three
Fatal Mistake Have you ever had the option of doing something that can change your life forever? In Daniel Keyes “Flowers for Algernon” a 39 year old man named Charlie Gordon takes the risk of receiving a life changing surgery to increase his IQ of 68. Charlie Gordon should not have been susceptible to the surgery because he becomes an outcast to society, his sensitivity to others alters and the repercussion of his life is at risk. First, after the surgery Charlie is unwanted around others, he has no one around him that is willing to support and listen to what has happened. Charlie feels lonely, unfortunately he does not have family that can help him. For example, at work everyone is frightened of

Charlie has gone through a lot of stress and trouble just to be smart, he then realizes that, “even a feeble-minded man wants to be like other men” (Keyes 131). His goal in life is to be normal. Instead of Charlie accepting who is, he wants a change. Even though, he cannot comprehend most things that are given to him he wants to be able to live a standard, ordinary life where no one will laugh at him. Also, Charlie observes that Algernon’s surgery is slowly wearing off, he then understands that, “Deterioration progressing. I have become absent minded… His brain [Algernon] had decreased in weight… I guess the same thing is or will soon be happening to me” (Keyes 134). Charlie sees that the surgery will not last forever and knows that he needs to spend his time wisely. His bright mind is slowly fading and he soon will be in the exact position that Algernon is. Charlie regrets his choice for surgery by writing, “Now that it’s definite, I don't want it to happen.” (Keyes 134). Charlie is afraid of the outcome and regrets having the surgery once he registers that he will pass away. Charlie cannot bear the though of being gone even though he knows the effect of the surgery will be inevitable. Unfortunately, Charlie’s wrong decision cannot be fixed, and his choice cannot be undone. Charlie Gordon’s poor judgement on this experiment has left him abandoned from his loved ones,