Discussion Topic
The role and ethical considerations of Dr. Nemur and Dr. Strauss in their selection and treatment of Charlie in Flowers for Algernon
Summary:
In Flowers for Algernon, Dr. Nemur and Dr. Strauss face ethical dilemmas in selecting and treating Charlie. They prioritize scientific achievement over Charlie's well-being, often neglecting his emotional and psychological needs. Their actions raise questions about informed consent and the morality of using individuals with intellectual disabilities for experimental purposes.
What are Charlie's views on Dr. Nemur and Dr. Strauss on May 15 in Flowers for Algernon?
On May 15, Charlie does not actually mention Dr. Nemur and Dr. Strauss specifically, but her does talk about other professors at the university, and it might be inferred that, if he thought about it, he would most likely feel the same way about Nemur and Strauss as he does about them. Charlie is revelling in his newfound mental capability, but his rapidly growing intelligence is not tempered with an equally rapid growth in sensitivity and understanding of others. Charlie has tried to discuss issues in economics, American literature, social studies, and psychology with various professors in those fields, and is dismayed and a little scornful to realize how narrow their knowledge is. For example, in trying to discourse on the "moral aspects of the military blockade as a weapon in times of peace" with an economics professor, Charlie is rebuffed when the professor finally must admit that, as the...
Unlock
This Answer NowStart your 48-hour free trial and get ahead in class. Boost your grades with access to expert answers and top-tier study guides. Thousands of students are already mastering their assignments—don't miss out. Cancel anytime.
Already a member? Log in here.
topic is "outside his area of specialization," he knows little about it. With a touch of arrogance, Charlie notes that he had been "foolish" to "ever have thought that professors were intellectual giants." He realizes that they are simply people, who are "afraid to reveal the narrowness of their knowledge."
The fact that Charlie's perception on Dr. Nemur and Dr. Strauss is changing as well is confirmed a couple of weeks later, in his writings on June 5. Charlie reports that his relationship to Nemur "is becoming increasingly strained." He resents the professor's "constant references to (Charlie) as a laboratory specimen," making him feel that "before the experiment (he) was not really a human being." Charlie also mentions that he is taking Dr. Strauss' advice to try "to speak and write simply and directly," as his burgeoning mental capacity is growing beyond the ability of those around him to the point that he can no longer be undertood. It is significant that Charlie now has his own opinions, and considers himself equal, or even, at times, far better than Dr. Nemur and Dr. Strauss intellectually. Instead of unquestioningly accepting everything they say and do, he now criticizes them and dismisses them in his mind when he does not agree with their views, as in the case of Dr. Nemur, or considers what they have to say and chooses whether or not to comply, as is the case with Dr. Strauss.
Why do Dr. Nemur and Dr. Strauss choose Charlie for their experiments in Flowers for Algernon?
Flowers for Algernon is a young adult science-fiction novel written by American author Daniel Keyes. The novel is made up of a series of progress reports written by protagonist Charlie Gordon, age 32.
Charlie is mentally disabled but wants to improve himself, and so he enrolls in reading and writing classes at the Beekman College Center for Retarded Adults. Dr. Nemur and Dr. Strauss are researchers at the college who are working to find a way to increase human intelligence. They are looking for a human test subject, and Charlie is recommended to them by his teacher, Miss Alice Kinnian. Dr. Nemur and Dr. Strauss have already experimented on a mouse named Algernon who showed incredibly positive results. Dr. Nemur does not want to use Charlie for the experiment as he is concerned that Charlie’s IQ is too low. However, Dr. Strauss does want to use Charlie because of his motivation and his desire to learn.
Dr. Strauss said I had something that was very good. He said I had a good motor-vation. I never even knowed I had that. I felt good when he said not everbody with an eye-Q of 68 had that thing like I had it. I dont know what it is or where I got it but he said Algernon had it too.
In Daniel Keyes's celebrated novel Flowers for Algernon, Dr. Harold Nemur is a psychologist who develops the idea of the experimental brain surgery to dramatically increase Charlie's intelligence, and Dr. Jayson Strauss is a neurosurgeon and psychiatrist who performs the surgery and sees Charlie for therapy. One could make the argument that Dr. Nemur does not have Charlie's best interests in mind and is primarily concerned with becoming famous for the miraculous experiment. Dr. Nemur is depicted as a selfish, arrogant individual who hopes to gain recognition throughout the scientific community for developing the cutting-edge experiment to dramatically increase one's intelligence. In Progress Report Ten, Charlie overhears Professor Nemur arguing with Dr. Strauss regarding whether or not it is too soon to label the experiment a success. During their argument, it becomes clear that Professor Nemur is only interested in fame and recognition.
In contrast, Dr. Strauss is depicted as a more humble, concerned individual who genuinely cares about Charlie's well-being. Unlike Professor Nemur, Dr. Strauss sympathizes with Charlie and fears that his emotional maturation cannot keep up with his rapidly developing intelligence. Dr. Strauss also helps Charlie identify the subconscious sources of his anxiety and insecurity during their therapy sessions. While it would be unfair to say that Dr. Strauss does not recognize that his efforts will bring him recognition, he demonstrates genuine sympathy for Charlie and seems to care more about his well-being.
Did Dr. Nemur and Dr. Strauss obtain Charlie's consent in Flowers for Algernon?
In Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes, a thirty-two-year-old man named Charlie Gordon, who has an IQ of 68, participates in experimental surgery to drastically increase his intelligence. The surgery is successful in that Charlie's intelligence increases so much that it far surpasses that of the doctors who operated on him. However, the effect is temporary. Charlie continues Nemur and Strauss's research and finds out that he will eventually regress to the way he was before. When he does, he leaves his job and the people he has known and enters Warren State Home because he does not want people to pity him.
At the beginning, Charlie goes through the screening process eagerly and does agree to the experimental surgery. His main motivation is that he wants to please people and get them to like him. He thinks that if he becomes smarter, he will have more friends. Although Charlie becomes somewhat frightened just before the operation, his resolution to improve helps him to gladly go through with it. Dr. Nemur and Dr. Strauss do obtain Charlie's consent before the operation, but there may be some question as to whether Charlie could possibly give an informed statement of consent to the surgery. We can't know if he understood all the potential risks and changes involved with the procedure.