Themes: Science and Technology

Flowers for Algernon narrates the tale of a man with mental impairments whose intelligence is temporarily increased through surgical intervention. This story delves into various literary themes, with the most significant being the responsible and irresponsible use of science and technology. Critic Mark R. Hillegas categorizes Flowers for Algernonas a form of science fiction that explores "issues imagined as stemming from inventions, discoveries, or...

Themes: Knowledge and Ignorance

The idea that "there are some things humanity was not meant to know" can be traced back to Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (1818). In many ways, Flowers for Algernon mirrors Shelley's narrative. Critic Thomas D. Clareson draws a direct connection between Keyes's novel and Frankenstein, highlighting how Keyes combines the roles of the mad scientist and the "inhuman" creation into "the single figure of Charlie Gordon." This theme is further emphasized by...

Themes: Alienation and Loneliness

In an early "progress report," Charlie reveals his wish to become intelligent so he can "have lots of friends who like me." Yet, after achieving genius-level intellect, he faces different challenges that prevent him from forming deep connections with others. He swaps one kind of isolation for another, as the ridicule and cruelty he once endured are now replaced by misunderstanding, insensitivity, and fear. Charlie falls in love with Alice...

Themes: Atonement and Forgiveness

A major theme of the novel revolves around Charlie's quest to understand and come to terms with those who have caused him pain throughout his life: his mother, who abused him both physically and emotionally; his father, who failed to protect him; his coworkers at the bakery, who mistreated him; and the scientists who enhanced his intelligence but treated him merely as a test subject. It is significant that when Charlie discovers the effects of...

Themes: Prejudice and Tolerance

Set during the height of the civil rights movement in the United States, Flowers for Algernondelves deeply into the fundamental right of all individuals to be treated with dignity, irrespective of their life situations. In the novel's beginning chapters, the harsh realities faced by those with mental disabilities are vividly portrayed as Charlie suffers from relentless verbal and physical abuse by his bakery coworkers. Once he acquires...

Themes: Sex

While the novel does not center on sexual themes, it does explore Charlie's sexual repression, which results from a traumatic childhood. His mother, worried that her "retarded" son might pose a sexual threat to his "normal" sister, harshly suppressed any typical adolescent expressions of sexuality. As Charlie matures, gaining greater intelligence, he initially finds it difficult to establish a sexual relationship with Fay Lillman, a neighbor who...

Themes: Journey from Ignorance to Intelligence and Back

In this story, which was the basis for the film Charly(1968), Charlie travels from ignorance to great intelligence and back again. Ironically, that same journey takes him from innocence to disillusionment to innocence recaptured. Charlie’s fleeting intellectual prowess carries an exorbitant price: an excruciating awareness of the cruelty that he has suffered at the hands of his coworkers. Charlie also finds pain in self-knowledge. He hides a...

Themes: Isolation and Alienation

Charlie’s expanded intelligence fails to deliver the expected benefits. Although he delights in his newfound capacities for reading, memory, and logic, Charlie finds himself in a lose-lose situation with people. He writes on April 30: “The intelligence has driven a wedge between me and all the people I once knew and loved. Before, they laughed at me and despised me for my ignorance and dullness; now, they hate me for my knowledge and...

Themes: Fear of Knowledge

Fanny Girden, one of Charlie’s coworkers, invokes the Garden of Eden story from the Bible to explain the fear that Charlie’s intellect provokes: “It was evil when Eve listened to the snake and ate from the tree of knowledge. It was evil when she saw that she was naked. If not for that none of us would ever have to grow old and sick and die.” Charlie understands her message. His recognition of his coworkers’ attitudes toward him has made him feel...

Themes: Societal Attitudes Toward the Mentally Handicapped

Through Charlie, Daniel Keyes probes societal attitudes toward the mentally handicapped. Charlie’s darkest hour comes at the peak of his intelligence, when he finds himself laughing along with everyone else at the clumsiness of a mentally handicapped boy. Charlie, unlike the others, becomes furious with himself for laughing and defends the boy: “He can’t help what he is! But for God’s sake . . . he’s still a human being.”

Themes: Nature of Friendship

Keyes also questions the nature of friendship. As Charlie’s intelligence declines to its preoperative level, he concludes that because letting people laugh is a good way to make friends, he should have lots of friends in his new home.

Themes: Love and Shared Experience

The only true love demonstrated in the story is Charlie’s devotion to Algernon. He hates the mouse at first for winning all the races, but soon he develops an affection for the animal so intense that Algernon’s death evokes profound grief. Charlie’s friendship with Algernon grows from shared experience. He and the mouse face the same trials and endure the same painful outcomes. Keyes implies that the victories and defeats of life might link...

Themes: Intelligence

The theme of intelligence in Flowers for Algernonexplores the complexities and consequences of artificially enhanced intellect. The protagonist, Charlie Gordon, undergoes a surgical procedure that temporarily boosts his intelligence, allowing him to experience life as a genius. This transformation brings both opportunities and challenges, ultimately leading to a poignant exploration of the nature of intelligence and its impact on human...

Themes: Ethics

In Flowers for Algernon, ethics play a central role as the story explores the implications of an experimental surgery designed to increase intelligence. Charlie Gordon, a man with developmental disabilities, becomes the subject of this experiment. The ethical questions arise from Charlie's ability to consent, the scientists' motivations, and the consequences of altering a person's mental capacity. The novel challenges readers to consider the moral...