Summary
Flowers for Algernon, Daniel Keyes's poignant science fiction masterpiece, first appeared as a short story in 1959 before being expanded into a novel in 1966. It tells the story of Charlie Gordon, a man with intellectual disabilities who undergoes an experimental procedure to increase his intelligence. Winning the Nebula Award for Best Novel, this thought-provoking tale explores themes of identity, ethics, and the nature of happiness. The novel has become a modern classic, frequently taught in schools and adapted into various media, most famously the 1968 film Charly, for which Cliff Robertson won an Academy Award for Best Actor.
Plot
Charlie Gordon, a 32-year-old man with an IQ of 68, works as a janitor at a bakery. He attends classes for adults with intellectual disabilities, where he's selected to undergo an experimental surgery to increase his intelligence. The procedure has already been successful on a lab mouse named Algernon. After the operation, Charlie's mental capacity grows rapidly, and his IQ eventually reaches 185.
As Charlie's intelligence increases, he begins to see the world differently. He realizes his coworkers at the bakery, whom he thought were friends, actually mocked him. His relationships become strained, including a brief romance with his former teacher, Alice Kinnian. Charlie also uncovers painful childhood memories and develops a critical view of the scientists who performed his surgery.
However, Charlie's intellectual growth is short-lived. He discovers a flaw in the experiment that suggests his enhanced intelligence is temporary. As Algernon's mental state deteriorates, Charlie realizes he will soon face the same fate. His intelligence begins to decline, and he struggles to cope with the loss. In his final days of lucidity, Charlie decides to move to a state institution, not wanting to burden those around him. His last wish is for someone to place flowers on Algernon's grave.
Themes
Intelligence and its impact on relationships
Self-discovery and identity
The conflict between intellect and emotion
Treatment of people with disabilities
The ethics of human experimentation
The power and limitations of science
The ephemeral nature of happiness and success
Setting
Set in the late 1950s or early 1960s, Flowers for Algernon takes place primarily in New York City. The story unfolds against the backdrop of a society grappling with scientific advancements and ethical questions surrounding human experimentation. Charlie's journey begins in this urban landscape, where he works as a janitor and attends classes for adults with intellectual disabilities.
As Charlie's intelligence grows, the setting expands to include scientific conferences and research facilities. The novel explores the contrast between Charlie's humble beginnings and the rarefied world of academia he enters. Key locations include the bakery where Charlie works, Beekman University where the experiment is conducted, and Charlie's apartment, which becomes a symbol of his changing circumstances.
The story also briefly shifts to Charlie's childhood home in Brooklyn, providing glimpses into his troubled past. This change in setting allows for a deeper exploration of Charlie's character and the societal attitudes towards intellectual disability in mid-20th century America. Throughout the novel, the various settings serve to highlight Charlie's evolving perspective and his struggle to find his place in a world that views him differently as his intelligence changes.
Characters
Charlie Gordon: The protagonist, a 32-year-old man with an intellectual disability who undergoes an experimental surgery to increase his intelligence.
Alice Kinnian: Charlie's teacher at the adult education center who recommends him for the experiment. She later develops romantic feelings for Charlie.
Dr. Nemur: One of the scientists who performs the intelligence-enhancing surgery on Charlie. He is often arrogant and sees Charlie more as a test subject than a person.
Dr. Strauss: The other scientist involved in Charlie's surgery. He is more empathetic towards Charlie than Dr. Nemur.
Algernon: The laboratory mouse who undergoes the intelligence-enhancing surgery before Charlie. His decline foreshadows Charlie's fate.
Rose Gordon: Charlie's mother, who was abusive and ashamed of his disability when he was a child.
Matt Gordon: Charlie's father, who was more accepting of Charlie's condition but eventually left the family.
Norma Gordon: Charlie's younger sister, who resented him as a child but reconciles with him later in life.
Fay Lillman: Charlie's neighbor and brief romantic interest after his intelligence increases.
Joe Carp and Frank Reilly: Charlie's co-workers at the bakery who initially mock him but later fear his increased intelligence.
Quick facts
In its original form, Flowers for Algernon won the Hugo Award for Best Short Story in 1960.
The expanded version tied for the Nebula Award for Best Novel in 1966.
Daniel Keyes was inspired to write the story after teaching English to students with disabilities.
The character of Algernon was inspired by Keyes's university dissection class.
It took the author 14 years to fully develop the ideas for Flowers for Algernon.
Keyes refused to change the ending when publishers wanted a happier conclusion.
By 2004, Flowers for Algernon had been translated into 27 languages and sold over 5 million copies.
The story is written as a series of progress reports, with Charlie's writing style reflecting his changing intelligence.
Flowers for Algernon has been adapted into a film, TV movies, plays, musicals, and even inspired episodes of popular TV shows.
Flowers for Algernon is on the American Library Association's list of 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books.
About the Author
Daniel Keyes (1927-2014) was an American author best known for his groundbreaking novel, Flowers for Algernon. Originally written as a short story, it follows a mentally disabled man who temporarily becomes a genius through experimental surgery. It won the Hugo Award for Short Story in 1960 and the Nebula Award for Best Novel in 1966. It has since been adapted into various media, including the Academy Award-winning film Charly.
Born in Brooklyn, Keyes worked as a merchant seaman, studied psychology, and even dabbled in fashion photography before finding his calling as a writer. He worked as an editor for Marvel Science Fiction and wrote for various pulp magazines and comics in the 1950s. This experience laid the groundwork for his future success in the science fiction genre.
Beyond his literary achievements, Keyes had a significant impact as an educator. He taught creative writing at Wayne State University and later became a professor at Ohio University, where he was honored as a professor emeritus in 2000.
