Who Is Charlie Gordon's Reward In Daniel Keyes Flowers For Algernon

“There is always a reward in all hard-work and sacrifices, so you must be patient and stay strong in all circumstances.” These words of Nishan Panwar perfectly describe how determination and perseverance is rewarded. In “Flowers for Algernon” by Daniel Keyes, a mentally challenged man named Charlie Gordon was selected for an experimental operation that tripled his I.Q., and experienced the effects it had on his life. Charlie Gordon made the right decision to have the operation. Firstly, he wanted to become smart so he could fit in with everyone. He also made important contributions to science after his intelligence levels increased.
Finally, he was able to feel more complex emotions.
What Charlie wanted most in his life was to be viewed

Even though he was aware of the risks involved, he wanted it so desperately that the potential consequences did not phase him. When Dr. Nemur and Dr. Strauss asked Charlie why he attended the adult night school he responded, “because all my life I wantid to be smart and not dumb” (112). Charlie was extremely motivated to become intelligent; to break free of the mental barriers that separated him from society. Having the operation allowed him to achieve just that.
After getting word of being chosen for the experiment, Charlie recalled Miss Kinnian’s reassurances, “you done so much with so little I think you deserve it most of all” (114). Charlie put forth his best effort trying to be smart. Miss Kinnian, of all people, knew that Charlie deserved the operation. He not only worked hard before the procedure, but also afterwards.
By participating in the experiment, Charlie helped to significantly advance science.
After receiving the operation, Charlie was visited by Miss Kinnian who told him, “At werst you will have it for a little while and your doing something for science” (119). Although she

Charlie became aware of the potential that could have come out of what he had. He wanted to use this to help people just like him. Once Charlie became aware of the fate that awaited him, he was comforted when he contemplated what he accomplished: “Yet for the sake of science, I am grateful for the little bit that I here add…” (132). Both Charlie’s research and his participation in the experiment provided a significant addition to the scientific community. Charlie knew he would soon meet his end, but he felt that his death would not be in vain. Beyond simply having a high I.Q., Charlie experienced feelings that are new to him.
The operation allowed Charlie to feel an array of new and more complex emotions.
After his first date with her, Charlie realized, “I'm in love with Miss Kinnian” (126). Love is an extremely complicated emotion that Charlie had never felt before. Because he experienced love for the first time, Charlie filled a space in his heart he never knew was there before. When
Charlie saw the waiter being made fun of, he “…felt ashamed for both of us” (130). By