Flowers for Algernon was a very intriguing read for me, as it very thoroughly explored the difference the in the perceptions of reality from the view of a retard and then, a genius.
Before the operation, Charlie, while being the butt of many cruel jokes, actually believed that he had many friends. Although he never stopped expressing his desire to learn, it can be said that at this point of time, he was happy. He was free from the many burdens that plague us, with simple wants that were easily satisfied. He wanted little more.
After the operation, however, his perception of reality changed. One of the most notable sentences i remember him saying is "I hate that mouse". At that point of time, he had just had the operation, and his feeling of hate towards Algernon was now due the the realization that he, Charlie Gordon, a human being, was in fact inferior mentally to a mouse. Upon further maturation, he began looking down on those less intelligent than him, falling into arrogance and self-pity. He seemed rarely as happy as before.
It seems that ignorance truly is bliss.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Saturday, January 19, 2008
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.
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.
DionneAlviedo08S402
What I liked about Flowers for Algernon is the way Charlie has developed throughout the story. His 'Progress Reports' not only showed us how his spelling and grammar improved, it also showed us how his view of the world changed as he began to understand his surroundings in a higher level. Flowers for Algernon, in my opinion, is a deeply sad and moving story. Firstly, the way it was written, in the first person, allowed us to go through the whole process with Charlie, yet it also allowed us to interpret for ourselves what Charlie was going through. In the first part of the story, when Charlie's IQ was still low, we saw how the people he considered as his "friends" made him a laughing stock. Still, he was not aware of this and he continued to trust and like them. This made us feel for Charlie as a character.
At first, I was not too keen to read the book, but as it is required, I had to. Plus, as I read through the first part, Charlie was such a likable character that I just had to know what happens to him.
As the story progressed, I felt sad for Charlie as he saw the world for what it truly is. A cruel world full of meanies. Putting myself in his shoes, I wondered how it must have felt like to realize that everything you knew no longer holds true. And all this took place in such a short period of time. Imagine going through mental 'puberty' at his age, the teenage awkwardness in a middle-aged man. We saw how Charlie progressed mentally and emotionally. But as we witnessed how hard it was for him to relate to people once he became a genius, we realize that science cannot do everything.
I think one of the themes of this story is the impact of science in our lives. Yes indeed, science and all the modern technology that comes with it is very helpful. It can cure previously incurable diseases, yet as we see in Flowers for Algernon, it shows that some of the 'sicknesses' are best left alone, for they may not even be a sickness at all; that maybe, the real sickness is within us, for even thinking that 'retards' are a lower form of human beings, and trying to change them.
At first, I was not too keen to read the book, but as it is required, I had to. Plus, as I read through the first part, Charlie was such a likable character that I just had to know what happens to him.
As the story progressed, I felt sad for Charlie as he saw the world for what it truly is. A cruel world full of meanies. Putting myself in his shoes, I wondered how it must have felt like to realize that everything you knew no longer holds true. And all this took place in such a short period of time. Imagine going through mental 'puberty' at his age, the teenage awkwardness in a middle-aged man. We saw how Charlie progressed mentally and emotionally. But as we witnessed how hard it was for him to relate to people once he became a genius, we realize that science cannot do everything.
I think one of the themes of this story is the impact of science in our lives. Yes indeed, science and all the modern technology that comes with it is very helpful. It can cure previously incurable diseases, yet as we see in Flowers for Algernon, it shows that some of the 'sicknesses' are best left alone, for they may not even be a sickness at all; that maybe, the real sickness is within us, for even thinking that 'retards' are a lower form of human beings, and trying to change them.
Siti Zakiah 08S304 Progress Report 1
Reading Flowers for Algernon has certainly evoked a lot of feelings. As cheesy as it may sound, Flowers is a very moving story and it certainly made me shed a few tears towards the end of it.
Set in the Big Apple in the 1960s, it is based on the diary, or progress reports, of Charlie Gordon- an intellectually disabled man who becomes the first human being to become smart through surgery. And in the short span of three months, you could vividly picture Charlie getting smarter, more curious and clearly in search of his true self.
I liked how Daniel Keyes potrayed Charlie in his various stages of develpoment. The way he writes Charlie's progress reports from the beginning, complete with spelling and punctuation errors, has got me believing that it was indeed a person with low IQ who wrote it. Slowly, Keyes developed the character, through the progress reports no less, and showed readers the steady progress Charlie is making.
Flowers also highlights the theme of the burden of intelligence and makes readers question-- Does being smarter make you happier? Perhaps more favourable? Judging from Charlie's progress, it is unlikely that higher IQ equals to happiness. I can see how Charlie becomes obssessed with learning and wanting to prove the scientists wrong. It seems that the more smarter he is, the more complex the world becomes. Charlie suddenly has no friends and is withdrawn from the world.
In my opinion, one of the most heart-wrenching scenes was his last progress report on November 21st. It finally shows the readers of his regression and how he is back where he first started; his short memory, innocence and inability to spell and use punctuation. This clearly indicates the start of his stay at the Warren State Home, true to his own prediction.
On the whole, Flowers for Algernon tells us about the fallibility of science and proves that Charlie Gordon may be a happier and peaceful person if he was left alone.
Set in the Big Apple in the 1960s, it is based on the diary, or progress reports, of Charlie Gordon- an intellectually disabled man who becomes the first human being to become smart through surgery. And in the short span of three months, you could vividly picture Charlie getting smarter, more curious and clearly in search of his true self.
I liked how Daniel Keyes potrayed Charlie in his various stages of develpoment. The way he writes Charlie's progress reports from the beginning, complete with spelling and punctuation errors, has got me believing that it was indeed a person with low IQ who wrote it. Slowly, Keyes developed the character, through the progress reports no less, and showed readers the steady progress Charlie is making.
Flowers also highlights the theme of the burden of intelligence and makes readers question-- Does being smarter make you happier? Perhaps more favourable? Judging from Charlie's progress, it is unlikely that higher IQ equals to happiness. I can see how Charlie becomes obssessed with learning and wanting to prove the scientists wrong. It seems that the more smarter he is, the more complex the world becomes. Charlie suddenly has no friends and is withdrawn from the world.
In my opinion, one of the most heart-wrenching scenes was his last progress report on November 21st. It finally shows the readers of his regression and how he is back where he first started; his short memory, innocence and inability to spell and use punctuation. This clearly indicates the start of his stay at the Warren State Home, true to his own prediction.
On the whole, Flowers for Algernon tells us about the fallibility of science and proves that Charlie Gordon may be a happier and peaceful person if he was left alone.
08s416howengsiong
M i not the LAST!? Rite.. so basically i feel thAT flowers is a pretty good read and it really makes me reflect and think about this central question present in the short story. Is intelligence the downfall of man?
what is also interesting of the change of point of view when charlie changes from a retard to an intellectual superior.
as charlie became smarter, he grew more and more self centred and aloof, and also viewed many people whom he thought as smart once e.g. the professors with what is known as through a superiority complex. This made people slowly starting to shun him and he himself meets with a lot of problems and feels frustrated at this "complex" world he is living in. On the other hand, when he had a low IQ, or was a retard, he appeared to have more friends, or at least from his point of view. Even though as a reader, we know that many of his so called friends at the beginning of the story most probably treated him as a laughing joke, but through his eyes, the world he sees is a simple world with innocence and happiness, like a fairytale.
On the author's writing style, the diary form that this story is written in is extremly effective as it enables the author to express charlie's thoughts in a way he would otherwise be unable to, except through the arkwardness of dialouge between intellectual unequals.
Besides the main questions, this story made me ponder on several other questions, namely, his charlie's only true friend Algernon? Or maybe whether charlie is used my everyone in a way or another except by Ms Kinnian? I'm still thinking for answers for these questions so lets all ponder together ... =)))
what is also interesting of the change of point of view when charlie changes from a retard to an intellectual superior.
as charlie became smarter, he grew more and more self centred and aloof, and also viewed many people whom he thought as smart once e.g. the professors with what is known as through a superiority complex. This made people slowly starting to shun him and he himself meets with a lot of problems and feels frustrated at this "complex" world he is living in. On the other hand, when he had a low IQ, or was a retard, he appeared to have more friends, or at least from his point of view. Even though as a reader, we know that many of his so called friends at the beginning of the story most probably treated him as a laughing joke, but through his eyes, the world he sees is a simple world with innocence and happiness, like a fairytale.
On the author's writing style, the diary form that this story is written in is extremly effective as it enables the author to express charlie's thoughts in a way he would otherwise be unable to, except through the arkwardness of dialouge between intellectual unequals.
Besides the main questions, this story made me ponder on several other questions, namely, his charlie's only true friend Algernon? Or maybe whether charlie is used my everyone in a way or another except by Ms Kinnian? I'm still thinking for answers for these questions so lets all ponder together ... =)))
Russell Chan 08S304 Progress Report 1
Written in first-person, Flowers for Algernon is an intrepid work of Keyes that delves into the humanly ideals of intelligence and perfection. In this text, readers are presented with the current popular notion of humans wanting to play God. Charlie, a mentally retarded individual, undergoes an operation to make him smarter. This parallels current advances in science such as genetic engineering, the more popular being cloning and genetic alteration in babies. As Charlie gets smarter, the world he perceives gets more and more intricate, which in turn greatly affects his emotional state of mind. Keyes attempts to bring across the idea that as we humans try harder to play the role of God, the more others will be affected emotionally as morality steps in.
The novel also touches on the typicalities of human nature. Being deprived mentally and socially, Charlie is portrayed as an individual who would strive his hardest in order to achieve his goal of getting smarter, and never giving up even when the odds are all against him. However, other normal humans such as his colleagues at the bakery, who are given what Charlie did not have, take things for granted.
The book takes readers through a turbulent ride of emotion, leaving them thinking, after all that Charlie had gone through, whether Charlie's desire and efforts to get smarter was ever worth it in the first place.
The novel also touches on the typicalities of human nature. Being deprived mentally and socially, Charlie is portrayed as an individual who would strive his hardest in order to achieve his goal of getting smarter, and never giving up even when the odds are all against him. However, other normal humans such as his colleagues at the bakery, who are given what Charlie did not have, take things for granted.
The book takes readers through a turbulent ride of emotion, leaving them thinking, after all that Charlie had gone through, whether Charlie's desire and efforts to get smarter was ever worth it in the first place.
All in all, I think Flowers for Algernon is a great story. It was heartbreaking for me, especially towards the end as Charlie's mind deteriorates at a fast rate.
The story evoked a lot of emotions in me such as anger, pity and sadness.
It taught me a great deal about the wonders of science however I have to admit some of them do not seem realistic. It also taught me how to value the things I'm blessed with such as the capability of my brain. We should not take our brains for granted because people like Charlie desperately want to have a normal brain so that they can learn.
We should also treat people like Charlie with respect although they are very different from us.
This is because they are human beings too and have feelings. We cannot simply chuck their feelings aside and treat them like dirt, like what his supposedly friends did to him.
It was moving for me as Charlie got to experience love but then it was short-lived. But it's better to receive a little than not get any. He savoured every moment of it when he had high IQ. He saw the world through a new window and appreciated every little thing, even those that we tend to disregard. I pitied him because he was just a subject of an experiment. Anyhow, it was for a good cause and he acknowledged that fact.
I could feel his anger and sorrow when he came to know that all his life, his so-called friends were making a fool out of him, for their pleasure.
I could see the transformation in his character after the experiment. A bittersweet ending.
Overall, the story is worth reading. I would love to go on ranting but time's catching up fast!
Nurul Syazwani Akhbar
08S416
Prog report 1
The story evoked a lot of emotions in me such as anger, pity and sadness.
It taught me a great deal about the wonders of science however I have to admit some of them do not seem realistic. It also taught me how to value the things I'm blessed with such as the capability of my brain. We should not take our brains for granted because people like Charlie desperately want to have a normal brain so that they can learn.
We should also treat people like Charlie with respect although they are very different from us.
This is because they are human beings too and have feelings. We cannot simply chuck their feelings aside and treat them like dirt, like what his supposedly friends did to him.
It was moving for me as Charlie got to experience love but then it was short-lived. But it's better to receive a little than not get any. He savoured every moment of it when he had high IQ. He saw the world through a new window and appreciated every little thing, even those that we tend to disregard. I pitied him because he was just a subject of an experiment. Anyhow, it was for a good cause and he acknowledged that fact.
I could feel his anger and sorrow when he came to know that all his life, his so-called friends were making a fool out of him, for their pleasure.
I could see the transformation in his character after the experiment. A bittersweet ending.
Overall, the story is worth reading. I would love to go on ranting but time's catching up fast!
Nurul Syazwani Akhbar
08S416
Prog report 1
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