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Daniel Keyes, born on August 9, 1927, in Brooklyn, New York, was an acclaimed American author, best known for his award-winning works, particularly "Flowers for Algernon." After serving in the U.S. Maritime Service at 17, he earned a B.A. in psychology and a Master's in English while working as a teacher and in fashion photography. In the early 1950s, he edited Marvel Science Fiction and wrote for notable comic titles like EC Comics.

"Flowers for Algernon" is a short story and novel by Daniel Keyes, presented as progress reports from Charlie, a mentally disabled man who undergoes experimental surgery that temporarily makes him a genius before his intelligence fades. The story was first published in April 1959 and expanded into a novel in 1966. It has been adapted into various media, notably the 1968 film "Charly," starring Cliff Robertson, who won an Academy Award for Best Actor. Keyes received the Hugo Award in 1959 and the Nebula Award in 1966 for his work.

References:

1. https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/11072.Daniel_Keyes

2. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18373.Flowers_for_Algernon

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Summary

The first chapter begins with the main character Charlie Gordon writing about how Dr. Strauss advises him to write in his diary so that the doctor can see if Charlie can be used for an experiment to become smarter. Charlie is 32 years old and is mentally retarded. He works at Donner bakery. Charlie doesn't know how to write grammatically correct, so he writes with mistakes, but the doctor said it doesn't matter.

Research questions (issues)

Why does Charlie want to become smarter?

Quotes(short comments)

"I tolld dr Strauss and perfesser Nemur I cant rite  just like I talk and like I rite compushishens in Miss Kinnians class at the beekmin collidge center for retarted adults where I go to lern 3 times a week on my time off." - a character struggling with writing and literacy, expressing frustration over their inability to write properly like they speak.

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Summary

Charlie went to Professor Nemurs office for the test. Professor Nemurs' secretary took Charlie to a room labeled "psych dept". There in the room sat Burt in a white doctor's coat. Charlie doesn't think he's a doctor because he wasn't told to open his mouth and say ah. Burt held up white cards with spilled ink on them and asked Charlie what he saw on them. Charlie also worriedly replied that he saw white cards with spilled ink on them. Burt smiled and said "Yes" and that made Charlie feel good. Charlie stood up, thinking the test was over, but Burt stopped him and told him to sit back down. Burt made Charlie think again, but as Charlie gave the same answer all over again, Burt said it was a raw shock test. Burt explained that people see things in ink. At that moment the point of Burt's pencil broke and they both got up and walked out.

Research questions(issues)

What role does Burt play in Charlie's development? How does Charlie's childhood fear affect him now?

Quotes(short comments)

"I tryed hard but I still coudnt find the picturs I only saw the ink.''- Charlie is unable to see the deeper meaning as he only sees the ink and not the full picture.

"I saw the spilld ink and I was very skared even tho I got my rabits foot in my pockit because when I was a kid I always faled tests in school and i spilld ink too."- Charlie has a fear of failure and anxiety because of his past experiences.

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Summary

Charlie met with Dr. Strauss and Professor Nemur. He still claimed that he didn't spill ink on the cards and that he didn't see anything on them, but they said that it didn't matter anymore.

Charlie went on to tell how at the Beekman school Miss Kinnian only made him do writing and reading and not these kinds of tests. Dr. Strauss asked Charlie why he wanted to learn reading and writing. Charlie admitted that he always wanted to be smart and not stupid and his mom encouraged him to learn, but when he learns something new in Miss Kinnians class he forgets about it all. Professor Nemur further explained that he did not know if this experiment would work because it had only been tested on animals. Charlie doesn't care if it hurts or if something else happens because he wants to become smart. They need permission from a member of Charlie's family, but Charlie doesn't know where his family is or if anyone is still alive. Dr. Strauss said he would try to find a member of Charlie's family to get permission to use Charlie in the experiment.

Research questions(issues)

Does Charlie feel lonely without his family? How does low intelligence affect working life? How are people with intellectual disabilities like Charlie treated by society?

Quotes(short comments)

"...Prof Nemur talkd to me very sereus. He said you know Charlie we are not shure how this experamint will werk on pepul because we onley tried it up to now on animils." - uncertainty of the experiment, as the procedure has only been tested on animals.

"I tolld him because all my life I wantid to be smart and not dumb and my mom always tolld me to try and lern just like Miss Kinnian tells me..." - This shows Charlies desire to smarter, influenced by his mom's and Miss Kinnians advice.

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Summary

Charlie returns for more tests. Charlie was shown pictures by a woman and he had to make up stories about people in these pictures that he didn't know. Charlie couldn't come up with stories about these people in the pictures, because if he lied as a child he would be hit. Charlie realized that he failed this test. Charlie was then taken by Burt to the psychological laboratory where he had to take the next test. In the test, he had to go through a maze, finding the right way from the start to the finish. Charlie did not understand this task and they had already used a lot of paper. Burt then takes Charlie to the experimental lab with the hope that Charlie will understand the task. They entered a room with many animals and cages. Charlie thought that this was a pet store, but there were no customers, only people in white clothes playing with animals. Burt took a mouse out of the cage and introduced him as Algernon. Burt claimed that Algernon could go through this maze very quickly, but Charlie said to prove it. Algernon is placed in a box to perform this test and he does it very quickly. Burt offered Charlie a match against Algernon and they did. Algernon beat Charlie over 10 times and Charlie didn't pass the maze even once. Charlie didn't know mice could be that smart.

Research questions(issues)

Does Charlie feel intimidated by Algernon? Can mouse be smarter than human? Does Algernon likes to be smarter than a regular mouse?

Quotes(short comments)

"I dint feel bad because I watched Algernon and I lernd how to finish the amaze even if it takes me along time."- Charlie feels insiper by Algernon and is happy that he learned how to finish the maze.

"I never tell lies any more because when I was a kid I made lies and I always got hit." - Charlie has a fear of lying due to a childhood trauma.

"When he said go I tryed to go but I dint know where to go."- confusion, not knowing what to do in a stressful situation.

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Summary

They found Charlie's sister, Norma, and she gave permission for Charlie to have the surgery. Professor Nemur and Dr. Strauss had an argument about all the things that could go wrong. Professor Nemur was concerned about using Charlie, but Dr. Strauss claimed that Charlie was the absolute best of all they had tested. Dr. Strauss, comparing Charlie to Algernon, said that they both have motivation and it would be impossible to find a candidate as similar as Charlie is to Algernon. Dr. Strauss and Burt were ready to use Charlie, but Professor Nemur was worried about all the possible risks. They told Charlie about all the possible risks and that it might not work out, but he was willing to participate as long as he became smart.

Research questions(issues)

How do the people around us influence our future choices? Is being smart the key to happines?

Quotes (short comments)

"We are sure thers no fisical danger for you but there are other things we cant tell until we try it."- uncertainty and potential risks of an experimental procedure

"Prof Nemur was worryd about my eye-Q getting too high from mine that was too low and I would get sick from it."- Professor Nemur's concern about the potential dangers of Charlie's intelligence increasing too quickly.

"I said i dint care because I aint afraid of nothing."- Charlie's growing confidence and desire to appear fearless, even though he might be hiding deeper feelings of uncertainty or fear.

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Summary

Charlie is getting ready for surgery and Burt brought him flowers from the psychology department to wish him luck before the surgery. Charlie is very worried and he has taken his three lucky charms with him. Dr. Strauss tells Charlie not to worry because this is science, but Charlie doesn't understand what science means and hopes it will bring him good luck. His folks at Mr Dooner's bakery hopes he gets better soon because they think Charlie is sick and instead of having an operation to make him smarter. Professor Nemur advised Charlie not to tell everyone in case it doesn't work or something goes wrong. Miss Kinnian came to visit Charlie and she looked scared. Professor Nemur announced that he could have no more visitors as Charlie needed to rest before the operation. Charlie thought about what it would be like when he became smart. He wants to win Algernon in a competition after the surgery. Charlie does not understand why he isn't allowed to eat food before the operation and what it has to do with becoming smarter.

Research questions(issues)

Does luck charms work or is it just our imagination? Do parents tend to distance themselves from their child who has an intellectual illness?

Quotes (short comments)

"If the operashun werks good Ill show that mouse I can be smart as he is even smarter."- Deep desire to prove your worth and intelligence.

"If the operashun werks and I get smart mabye Ill be abel to find my mom and dad and sister and show them."- The need to reconnect with your family and finding the family you feel you lost.

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Summary

Charlie woke up after surgery. He had bandages on his eye for three days so he couldn't see or write his progress report. Charlie was anxious lying on the operating table in a room full of doctors in white coats, but Dr. Strauss came to the table and calmed Charlie down. When Charlie woke up after the surgery he heard a nurse talking to Burt in the room. Charlie didn't understand why they weren't turning on the lights and when they were going to start the surgery, but Burt told him it was all over. Burt visits Charlie every day to write down his medical condition for possible future patients. Charlie says that his progress reports will help him see his progress in intelligence. Burt says that the progress reports are part of an experiment for him and they will see what's going on in his head. Charlie doesn't understand how they're going to understand what's going on in his head, because even when he reads his progress reports, he doesn't understand what's going on in his head at that moment. Charlie says he can't wait to be smart and that he'll have lots of friends and be able to engage in smart conversations. Professor Nemur suggests that Charlie write in his progress report how he feels and what he thinks or remembers about the past. All the time when Charlie had the bandages on his eyes after the operation, he tried to think and remember, but he couldn't. Charlie's nurse Hilda told him that she didn't think the operation was right, because if God had wanted to make him smart, he would have done it. The next day Charlie had a new nurse named Lucille. Miss Kinnian visited Charlie and he told her that he expected to be smart right away after the operation. Miss Kinnian explained that that's not how it works and that he has to work for his smartness. Miss Kinnian believes in Charlie.

Research questions(issues)

Was doing the operation for Charlie the best idea? What would God think about changing yourself to the opposite that he made you? Does being smart helps you make more friends?

Quotes(short comments)

"She pattid my hand and said I no you will. I have fayth in you Charlie."- Miss Kinnian expressing trust and reassurance in Charlie.

"All the time the bandiges were on my eyes I tryed to think and remembir but nothing happined."- Charlie expressing frustration and confusion, as he struggles to remember.

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Summary

Charlie is released from the hospital, but he cannot return to work because he has to take the tests. He had another maze test against with Algernon and lost. Charlie hates Algernon and doesn't understand how he always wins. Miss Kinnian visits Charlie and he tells her that he doesn't understand why he's not smart yet. Miss Kinnian comforts Charlie by telling him that it will happen slowly and that he must be patient. Charlie can't wait to understand what the students at the college are talking about. He wants to be friends with them and join in their conversations. Burt tells Charlie not to tell anyone about the experiment in case it doesn't work out and so as not to ruin their reputation. Charlie returns to work at the bakery. A new employee, Ernie, has been hired to replace him, but Mr. Donner allows him to continue working as Ernie's assistant. Charlie is made fun of at work, but he laughs with them because he doesn't understand what they are laughing about. Professor Nemur and Dr. Strauss brought Charlie a television as a gift to help him remember at night. Charlie spends sleepless nights trying to remember memories from the past. Charlie remembers an old memory of how he started studying with Miss Kinnian. Charlie had a headache after a party where Joe Carp and Frank Reilly invited him. They made fun of Charlie for being a janitor and left him alone at the end of the party. Charlie won Algernon at the maze test. He felt bad about it and admitted that he really liked Algernon after all. Miss Kinnian teaches Charlie to spell. He has problems pronouncing some words.

Research questions(issues)

How does Charlie’s isolation and frustration connect to the book’s themes? How do Charlie’s relationships with his co-workers change? How does Charlie’s view of his intelligence change?

Quotes(short comments)

"I hate the tests and I hate the amazeds and I hate Algernon."- Charlie's frustration with the tests, the people judging him, and even Algernon, as he feels overwhelmed and upset by the changes.

"I beet Algernon. I dint even know I beet him until Burt Selden told me."- Charlie expressing his excitment and confusion as he start to realize his intelligence growing.

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Summary

Everyone came to work to see Charlie working on the dough mixer. Everyone laughed at Charlie, but he managed to mix the dough properly at the dough mixer. Mr. Donner was impressed with Charlie's new skills and gave him a raise. Frank and Joe are angry with Charlie because their attempt to make fun of Charlie backfired. Miss Kinnian tells Charlie that not everyone in his life is his friend and that they don't always want the best for him. Miss Kinnian teaches Charlie how to use punctuation. Joe Carp and Frank Reilly invite Charlie to a party. Charlie is made fun of when he trips and falls while dancing with Ellen. Charlie remembers memories from his childhood and sees similarities to what Frank and Joe did to him. Charlie realizes that Joe and Frank just wants to make fun of him. Charlie remembers traumatic memories from his childhood of being pelted with dirt and rocks as other children teased him, but he just wanted to play with them. Dr. Strauss says it's important that Charlie continues to remember his memories and write them down. Charlie has a lot of nightmares, but is starting to realize that they are memories of his traumatic past. Charlie became angry and aggressive during the Rorschach test and stormed out. Charlie is calmed down by Profesor Nemur and told about the progress he has already made. Charlie wants to keep some of his progress reports private.

Research questions(issues)

How does intellectual progress affect mental health? Why do parents believe that hitting can solve problems? Do our dreams and nightmares relate to our past or future?

Quotes(short comments)

"The more intelligent you become the more problems you'll have, Charlie. Your intellectual growth is going to outstrip your emotional growth."- as intelligence grows you will have to face more emotional challenges.

"But he doesn't have any money for a valentine, so he decides to give Harriet his locket that is heart-shaped like the valentines in the store windows."- love isn't about money, it's about the thought and meaning behind the gesture.

Vocabulary

plateau- an area of fairly level high ground

homeward- going or leading towards home

bunched- collect or fasten into a compact group

limply- in a way that is soft and neither firm nor stiff

degenerate- having lost the physical, mental, or moral qualities considered normal and desirable; showing evidence of decline

tugging- pull (something) hard or suddenly

fencing- a combat sport that features sword fighting.

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Summary

No one talks to Charlie at work because everyone is afraid of Charlie's rapid changes. Charlie has a memory of Gimp talking to Frank and thinking that Charlie could learn how to make rolls, but Frank scoffs at the idea. Charlie has trouble repeating how to make rolls, because Gimpy and Frank made them with slight differences. When Charlie has to make rolls by himself without anyone's help, he suddenly forgets everything due to stress and is unable to do it. Charlie gets another promotion, but no one at his work seems happy about it. Professor Nemur finally agrees with Dr. Strauss and Charlie that he can keep some of his things out of progress reports due to the privacy he needs. Nemur and Strauss argue about whether it is too early to present Charlie's surgery project at a Chicago convention. Charlie makes friends at college and spends his free time in the library reading all kinds of books. Charlie remembers a memory from his childhood where he felt helpless and weak while his parents argued over him. He really wants to know what his family looks like now so he can visit them.

Research questions(issues)

What role does Charlie's sudden recall of childhood memories play in his new intellectual development? How is the pursuit of knowledge without ethical considerations criticized today?

Quotes(short comments)

"We've predicted the pattern correctly so far. We're justified in making an interim report. I tell you, Jay."- Expresses confidence in the accuracy of the experiment and that their findings are valid enough to report.

"All I remember is that as she began to spank me, Matt Gordon turned and walked out of the apartment."- This quote highlights a moment of punishment and emotional abandonment, Charlie feels isolated when Matt leaves.

Vocabulary

intently- with earnest and eager attention.

frown- furrow one's brows in an expression indicating disapproval, displeasure, or concentration.

unaccustomed- not familiar or usual; out of the ordinary.

interim- the intervening time.

cynic- a person who believes that people are motivated purely by self-interest rather than acting for honourable or unselfish reasons.

feeble-minded- unable to make intelligent decisions or judgements; foolish or stupid

sternly- in a serious and severe manner, especially when asserting authority or exercising discipline.

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Summary

Charlie begins to see how beautiful Alice Kinnian is. They were at the cinema and Charlie, under the influence of the film, began to tell that he did not feel like he had achieved anything in life. Charlie confessed to Alice that he liked her. Alice said that Charlie should focus on himself and that she had no right to come into his life right now. Charlie had a nightmare with a knife and blood, where he was running away from someone in panic. Gimpy undercharged a customer and kept a small part of the money for himself, Charlie noticed this and could not understand why he was doing it. Charlie begins to think violent thoughts especially because of Gimpy's situation. Charlie asked Professor Nemur what to do in this situation, but he told Charlie not to interfere. When Charlie was at a concert with Miss Kinnian, he made moves to get closer to her, but suddenly everything was interrupted by someone watching them in the distance and Charlie noticed it. Charlie was fired from his job at the bakery because the others there were scared to death of him. Charlie recalled a memory of his mother beating him for looking romantically at his sister's girlfriend. Alice Kinnian kissed Charlie, but he started to panic.

Research questions(issues)

Does hitting children in any way help them develop for the better? Is it always necessary to step out of your comfort zone to strive for growth? Does higher intellectual level lead to greater happiness?

Quotes(short comments)

"It was evil when Adam and Eve ate from the tree of knowledge. It was evil when they saw they was naked, and learned about lust and shame. And they was driven out of Paradise and the gates was closed to them. If not for that none of us would have to grow old and be sick and die."- This quote suggests that knowledge brings suffering and if people had remained innocent then we would not age and die.

"He can't learn to read or write, but he knows enough to look at a girl that way. I'll beat the filth out of his mind"- This quote shows the offensive attitude towards Charlie's sexual awareness, his mother's desire to teach him to be ashamed of the attitude he has made, which may be considered wrong in public.

Vocabulary

caresses- touch or stroke gently or lovingly.

intricate- very complicated or detailed.

hamper- a basket with a carrying handle and a hinged lid, used for food, cutlery, and plates on a picnic.

"a picnic hamper".

deliberately- consciously and intentionally; on purpose.

averted- to turn away or to prevent.

wavered- move in a quivering way; flicker.

merely- just; only.

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Summary

Nemur is upset with Charlie because he hasn't submitted a progress report in two weeks and the Convention at Chicago is only a week away. Charlie sees constant comparisons from Nemur that he is just a laboratory specimen. He is angry because he is not seen as a normal person. Charlie had nightmares for three nights after he left the bakery. One of his nightmares was a memory from his childhood. His sister Norma comes home from school and tells Charlie that she got an A on her history test and Charlie is the first to burst out in excitement to his parents and Norma is very angry with Charlie. Norma's mother promised her a dog if she gets a good grade on her history test, but their father reminds her mother that if Charlie wasn't allowed a dog, Norma can't have a dog either. Norma hates Charlie because he doesn't remember or understand anything. Charlie goes to the Center for Retarded Adults because he misses it and he hasn't been there since his surgery. He meets Alice, but she is annoyed to see him enter the classroom. Alice is angry with Charlie because of his new changes in his attitude towards others. Charlie meets a woman in the park and they start talking. The woman wants Charlie to take her to a room where they can be alone. Charlie yells at her that she is pregnant and she can't do this, which makes the woman scared and scream. She tells people at the hotel to run after Charlie and tells them that Charlie has a knife and a gun. Someone runs after Charlie, but he disappears into the shadows. Charlie doesn't understand why he wanted to be caught and punished.

Research Questions(issues)

Why do people find it difficult to control their emotions in stressful situations? How do Charlie's childhood memories help him understand himself? Why do children have the need to prove to their parents who is better among them?

Quotes(short comments)

"Why do I want to be punished? i open my mouth to scream, but I am voiceless. My hands are trembling, I feel cold, and there is a distant humming in my ears."- He feels guilty and panicked in some kind of way. These are new feelings for him and he doesn't know how to deal with them.

"All right. You want to know? You're different. You've changed. And I'm not talking about your IQ. It's your attitude toward people - you're not the same kind of human being"- Charlie has changed and it is causing problems for the people around him because he is not as trustworthy or good person to be around anymore.

Vocabulary

preliminary- preceding or done in preparation for something fuller or more important.

astonishing- extremely surprising or impressive; amazing.

hysterectomy- a surgical operation to remove all or part of the uterus.

docile- ready to accept control or instruction; submissive.

patronizing- apparently kind or helpful but betraying a feeling of superiority; condescending.

variants- a form or version of something that differs in some respect from other forms of the same thing or from a standard.

swiftly- at high speed; quickly.

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Summary

Charlie, along with all the other participants in the experiment, is on a plane ready to fly to the Chicago convention. He is afraid to buckle the seatbelt. Charlie thinks about death and how much he doesn't want to die. Charlie remembers a memory from his childhood when his mother Rose took him to the doctor because she thought Charlie could still become smart. Charlie is strapped into the doctor's chair, and now he remembers why he was afraid of it on the plane. Other doctors he has been to have not been as gentle and he is scared of being strapped down. They land in Chicago and go to a hotel where they are told that they will have to wait until the next night for their rooms. While they are waiting, people recognize Charlie and come up to him to talk about his surgery. But after a while, Nemur becomes annoyed by all the attention Charlie is getting. When Charlie was asked about some of his retardation causes, he said that Nemur could answer the question better. Nemur was pleased and began to tell about Charlie's situation. Charlie interrupted Nemur, hearing something that should not have been done, because it could cause a blocking in the metabolic pathway. Nemur became irritated and told Charlie that this was not the right place to talk about it. Strauss told Charlie that not everyone is so gifted with knowledge of other languages. Burt explained to Charlie that everything Nemur does is only for the greater good. Charlie began to get irritated at the convention and saw that Algernon in his cage was starting to get nervous. Everyone at the convention laughed during the presentation, about how dumb Charlie had been acting before the operation. As the presentation continued, Charlie let Algernon out of the cage and everyone began to panic. Charlie and Algernon went back to New York and looked for a new place to live.

Research questions(issues)

Why do people develop a fear of being strapped down? Do animals understand what humans say to them?

Quotes(short comments)

"I'm a human being, a person-with parents and memories and a history-and I was before you ever wheeled me into that operating room."- Charlie claims that his identity is not determined by his level of intelligence. He emphasizes that he has always been a human being with memories, history, and emotions, even before the experiment changed him.

"Each time I received a shock, my expression changed to an absurd wide-eyed stare, and then that foolish smile again. Each time it happened the audience roared."- This quote shows how Charlie's forced emotions due to shocks are treated as entertainment by others.

"The professors had made a mistake, and no one else had caught it. I wanted to jump up and tell them, but I couldn't move."- This quote reflects Charlie's frustration as he sees the mistake the professors made, but feels powerless to say so because he is unable to stand up for himself and get involved.

Vocabulary

frowns- furrow one's brows in an expression indicating disapproval, displeasure, or concentration.

bosom- a woman's chest or breasts.

trimphantly- in a way that shows great happiness or joy at a victory or achievement.

meekly- in a quiet, gentle, and submissive manner.

exasperation- a feeling of intense irritation or annoyance.

lopsided- with one side lower or smaller than the other.

surpassed- exceed; be greater than.

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Summary

Charlie and Algernon's escape was in the papers the next day. Reporters had also gone to Charlie's mother Rose and sister Norma to see if they knew anything about Charlie's whereabouts. Charlie seeing a picture of his mother Rose made him feel scared because he knows two sides of her and is traumatized by it. Charlie has a hard time refraining from calling Alice, although he started calling and kept stopping many times. Charlie moved into a new apartment with Algernon and met his neighbor Fay Lillman. She was a painter and invited him to her room for a beer because he was locked out of his apartment. Later they climbed into Charlie's apartment through the window and Fay was shocked how he could keep it so clean. Fay sees in Charlie's room that he has mazes for Algernon and says that Charlie is a sculptor. Charlie went to meet his father Matt at his barbershop, but his father did not recognize him. Fay brought a female mouse Minnie to keep Algernon company. Later that night, Fay brought a man named Leroy to introduce him to Charlie, and Charlie wanted to be in his place. Leroy left and Fay and Charlie started drinking. Charlie couldn't remember last night the next day. Fay told him that Charlie acted weird and like a kid last night. He realized that the old Charlie was still in his head, but it had only been buried deep inside his mind. Charlie is making a life with Fay and wants nothing more to do with Alice. As the days go by, Algernon becomes increasingly violent towards Minnie and Fay. Algernon has begun to act rushed and out of control.

Research questions(issues)

Can true love help you grow mentally? How often do parents treat one of their two children better than the other one?

Quotes(short comments)

You can't put up a new building on a site until you destroy the old one, and the old Charlie can't be destroyed. He exists."- Charlie metaphorically says that you can't start a new phase of life until you let go of the old one, but in his old phase of life, it's impossible to let go of the old Charlie.

"How strange it is that people of honest feelings and sensibility, who would not take advantage of a man born without arms or legs or eyes - how such people think nothing of abusing a man born with low intelligence."- This quote shows the unfairness of how people treat each other. While many would not take advantage of people with physical disabilities, the same people do not show such kindness to people with intellectual disabilities.

Vocabulary

contaminate- make (something) impure by exposure to or addition of a poisonous or polluting substance.

precaution- a measure taken in advance to prevent something dangerous, unpleasant, or inconvenient from happening

mangy- in poor condition; shabby.

dilettantes- a person who cultivates an area of interest, such as the arts, without real commitment or knowledge.

sneer- a contemptuous or mocking smile, remark, or tone.

morbid- characterized by an unusual interest in disturbing and unpleasant subjects, especially death and disease.

adroit- clever or skilful.

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Summary

Charlie returns Algernon. Burt observes Algernon saying that he has lost many of his problem solving skills. While Charlie looks around the lab, he learns what they do with dead specimens. He wants Algernon after he dies so he can give him a proper funeral and bury him. Charlie wonders what will happen to him if he loses his intelligence. He is told that if that happens, he will be sent to Warren State Home and Training School. Charlie plans to go see what Warren State Home is like, incase he has to go there, he can see what it's like there. Charlie keeps his mind occupied with studying to keep his mind off his problems. Charlie wants Alice and Fay to run into each other so he has one less thing to worry about.

Research questions(issues)

How does the potential loss of intelligence determine further self-evaluation and understanding? Why aren't animals treated with the same compassion after their death as people are treated after their death? What are the psychological and emotional effects on a person after a rapid increase in intelligence?

Quotes(short comments)

"But then, I can't blame him because he doesn't realize that finding out who I really am-meaning of my total existence involves knowing the possibilities of my future as well as my past, where I'm going as well as where I've been."- This shows that Charlie has a hard time understanding himself. He realizes that to find out who he really is means looking into the past and the future.

"I know all about that . You're talking about my sister, Norma. I read about it in the papers. From what I remember of her, I imagine she'd have given you approval for my execution."- Charlie remembers that Norma was harsh with him and in this case he even thinks that she would have supported his torture or even his "execution".

"Time was the barrier. If I was going to find out the answers for myself I had to get to work immediately."- Charlie still has so many questions and interests to learn about himself, but in this case, time is what is limited and he needs to start acting now.

Vocabulary

utmost- most extreme; greatest.

cordial- warm and friendly.

exigencies- an urgent need or demand.

pertains- be appropriate, related, or applicable to.

incompetent- not having or showing the necessary skills to do something successfully.

evident- clearly seen or understood; obvious.

adolescent- (of a young person) in the process of developing from a child into an adult.

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Summary

Charlie went to visit Warren State Home. He went to find Mr.Winslow's office. Charlie asked him how they kept the patients from wandering off. Mr.Winslow's said they couldn't really, but when some of them wandered off they usually came back or the police returned them back. He said they had a waiting list of fourteen hundred people waiting for a place to be made available at Warren State Home. Charlie wondered what it would be like if he went to live at Warren State Home. Charlie stopped by the lab where Algernon refused to run the mazes and Burt was force-feeding Algernon. Alice and Fay met last night. Alice told Charlie that Fay had gotten him drinking and interfering with his work. Fay has a new boyfriend because Charlie wasn't paying her as much attention anymore. Charlie went to Mrs. Nemur's cocktail party. Charlie talked too much and Mrs. Nemur said that Charlie had gone out of his head because he believed there were two Charlies. Charlie had a late-night solution to his problem and he sent it with all the calculations and explanations to Professor Nemur. Algernon died and Charlie found him dead. Charlie went to his mother's house, but Rose, recognizing him, went inside and locked the door. Rose let Charlie in anyway and he told her about how smart he has became. Norma returned home and was happy to see Charlie and hugged him. Norma finally has her own dog named Nappie. Norma is very happy that Charlie is back and tells her about all the crazy things that has happened in her life. Norma had hugged Charlie tightly because she didn't want him to leave, but Charlie saw that their mother, with wide eyes, had picked up a kitchen knife from the table and was pointing at Charlie. Charlie cried with great relief as he left to the car.

Research questions(issues)

How does Algernon's regression affect the basic hypothesis of the experiment? Does the human mind intentionally forget bad events from the past?

Quotes(short comments)

"I present it to you as a hypothesis: Intelligence without the mental and moral breakdown, to neurosis, and possibly even psychosis."- Intelligence without emotional balance and moral justification can lead to mental instability, even neurosis or psychosis.

"No one really starts anything new, Mrs Nemur. Everyone builds on other men's failures. There is nothing really original in science. What each man contributes to the sum of knowledge is what counts."- Every new discovery builds on previous failures and successes. This makes it difficult to be original, and the main thing is what each person contributes to the knowledge.

"I was seeing myself as I really had become: Nemur had said it. I was arrogant, self-centered bastard. Unlike Charlie, I was incapable of making friends or thinking about other people and their problems. I was interested in myself, and myself only."- This quote shows Charlie's realization of his own flaws as arrogant and selfish. It shows his current behavior and the behavior of old Charlie, showing that intellectual growth can lead to isolation and selfishness.

Vocabulary

abruptly- suddenly and unexpectedly.

squirm- wriggle or twist the body from side to side, especially as a result of nervousness or discomfort.

stupor- a state of near-unconsciousness or insensibility.

attuned- make receptive or aware.

coalesced- come together to form one mass or whole.

boon- a thing that is helpful or beneficial.

tangible- perceptible by touch.

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Summary

Charlie stopped thinking about suicide as long as he is in control and aware of the world around him. He often gets into fights about things that annoy him. Charlie was insulting Dr. Strauss during his therapy session and made Dr. Strauss upset. Charlie said that everything he felt was not really happening and that it was making him lose his mind. Charlie thought he didn't need any more therapy sessions, Strauss was upset, but didn't try to talk him out of it. Charlie was doing tests at the Beekman lab and couldn't remember how to do them correctly. When Charlie returned to the apartment he saw Alice sleeping on his couch and everything was cleaned up. Charlie got angry and said that he didn't want to spend time with her because he only had time for himself. Charlie doesn't remember lying in bed for days. His coordination is getting worse and he needs to move more slowly to get things done. Charlie tried to read an article in German that he had used for his research and he realized that he could no longer read German. Charlie made Alice cry and was mean to her, and she left him that night. Everyone is worried about Charlie because of his new attitude and what he said. Mrs. Mooney often visits Charlie to give him food and see how he is doing. Charlie went back to the bakery and asked for his old job back and told Mr. Donner everything that had happened to him. Everyone treats Charlie well at the bakery and he has friends again. Charlie forgot that he was no longer studying with Miss Kinnian, but he came to class and sat down in his old seat to learn. Miss Kinnian started crying and ran out of the classroom when she saw Charlie. In the end, Charlie didn't die, but he wants to go away from everyone to Warren State Home. Charlie wants everyone to put flowers on Algernon's grave.

Research questions(issues)

Does being smart make your life more complicated? How does Charlie's decline in intelligence affect the people around him? What is the social view of people with intellectual disabilities?

Quotes(short comments)

"Then I realized I could no longer read German. Tested myself in other languages. All gone."- Charlie learns that he can no longer read in many languages and all the hard work he has put into it is gone.

"Alice knows everything about me now, and accepts the fact that we can be together for only a short while. She has agreed to go away when I tell her to go. It's painful to think about that, but what we have, I suspect, is more than most people find in a lifetime."- Charlie realizes the short time he has left with Alice. Even though their relationship won't last long, he understands the depth and rarity of their bond.

Vocabulary

begrudge- envy (someone) the possession or enjoyment of (something).

quarreled- have a heated argument or disagreement.

accumulated- gather together or acquire an increasing number or quantity of.

peered- look with difficulty or concentration at someone or something.

aglow- glowing.

pierce- (of a sharp pointed object) go into or through (something).

merged- combine or cause to combine to form a single entity.