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.”
Expert Q&A
What are Fanny Birden's moral arguments about the operation in Flowers for Algernon?
Fanny Birden's moral arguments against Charlie's operation in "Flowers for Algernon" are rooted in religious beliefs. She compares Charlie's quest for intelligence to the biblical story of Adam and Eve, suggesting that tampering with natural limits is forbidden by God. Fanny believes that such actions are unnatural and wrong, and although she does not advocate for Charlie's dismissal, she feels that his transformation is unsettling and morally questionable.
Do the doctors in Flowers for Algernon act in Charlie's best interests?
No, the doctors who operate on Charlie in Flowers for Algernon are not acting in his best interest. They are far more focused on their own careers.
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