Abstract illustration of a mouse inside a white human head inside a red human head

Flowers for Algernon

by Daniel Keyes

Start Free Trial

Student Question

What was Charlie's IQ during Progress Reports 9 and 10 in Flowers for Algernon?

Quick answer:

During Progress Report 9 in "Flowers for Algernon," Charlie's IQ is 100, which is considered normal. By Progress Report 10, his IQ has increased significantly, enabling him to improve a dough mixing machine without prior education in physics or machinery. This suggests an IQ well above 140, the threshold for genius, indicating a dramatic intellectual transformation from his initial IQ of 68.

Expert Answers

An illustration of the letter 'A' in a speech bubbles

In Flowers for Algernon, at the end of Progress Report 9, Charlie's IQ is 100. In IQ testing (i.e., Stanford-Binet Rating Scale, Lewis Terman, Wechsler IQ Test Ratings Scale), 100 is considered "normal." In other words, a person with an IQ of 100 is able to function normally but not able to do or learn anything exceptional. Charlie started out with an IQ of 68, so a jump to 100 is a great attainment.

During the time period of Progress Report 10, Charlie's IQ has skyrocketed so that he is now able to mechanically improve the dough mixing machine at the pastry shop so as to boost its productivity. This is far above the "normal" represented by 100 and also well below the IQ level representative of exceptional accomplishment.

Altering a machine with no prior education in the laws of physics and machinery is certainly beyond an exceptional accomplishment. On IQ tests, the sort of exceptional intelligence that can do basically impossible things on native intelligence alone, with no help from education or training, is well above 140, which is the threshold of "genius" qualifications.

Kids-IQ-Tests.com has very good descriptions of IQ levels.

Get Ahead with eNotes

Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.

Get 48 Hours Free Access
Approved by eNotes Editorial