Nurul Atiqah (08s304)'s initial thoughts on Flowers

The one question that echoed in my mind throughout the process of reading Flowers: Is it okay to subject fellow human beings to an experiment, even if it is for the greater good?

I reckon that's what's good about Flowers. It tugs at your heartstrings (especially when the writer utilises dramatic irony) but most importantly, the author has created a work of fiction that's thought-provoking and oddly realistic.

How far should we go in the name of Science?

That question has been asked repeatedly for years. In Flowers, we explore that deep abyss "first-hand" through the eyes of the "guinea pig". It was somehow more than apparent that the author did not believe in treating a human being as scientists would treat a guinea pig. Through experiencing it "first-hand", we realise that in spite of Charlie's extreme low IQ, Charlie could feel. Charlie still had feelings. And as Charlie got increasingly intelligent, his thoughts grew more complex and so do his ability to analyse his emotions and wants. Eventually, Charlie grew indignant about being viewed as a mere guinea pig, and not a person of high intelligence.

And that was probably something Prof. Nemur had not thought of. He did think and hope that Charlie's intelligence would surpass that of "an ordinary man" (as Charlie puts it) such as himself but he had not (and most definitely could not) been prepared for the post-operation sequence of events that followed.

I mentioned that it was more than apparent that the author did not believe in subjecting human beings to experiments. I also thought that it was more than apparent that he had succeeded in making readers such as myself believe him, and that maybe, Charlie was somehow better off left alone.