Book Sharing---Flowers for Algernon

"Flowers for Algernon" is a poignant and thought-provoking novel written by Daniel Keyes. It tells the story of Charlie Gordon, a man with an intellectual disability who undergoes an experimental surgery to increase his intelligence. The novel takes the form of a series of progress reports written by Charlie, providing insight into his innermost thoughts and feelings as he undergoes a dramatic transformation. Through Charlie's journey, the novel explores complex themes such as the nature of intelligence, the treatment of individuals with disabilities in society, and the morality of using experimental treatments on vulnerable populations. Join me in discovering what makes this book worth recommending!

1） The Empathy in Understanding Disability:

"Flowers for Algernon" serves as a commentary on society's treatment of those with disabilities by highlighting the way that people with disabilities are often marginalized and excluded from society. Throughout the novel, the character of Charlie is mistreated and ridiculed by others due to his low intelligence. He is ostracized from his peers and treated as an outsider, leading to feelings of loneliness and isolation. "Flowers for Algernon" challenges readers to reflect on their own biases and assumptions about intelligence and disability. It emphasizes the importance of empathy and understanding when interacting with individuals who may have different abilities, and encourages readers to examine the ways in which society often excludes and marginalizes those with disabilities. By doing so, it serves as a powerful commentary on the way that people with disabilities are treated in society.

2）Ethics

The story explores the ethics of using experimental treatments on individuals with disabilities through the character of Charlie, who undergoes an experimental surgery to increase his intelligence. As he becomes more intelligent, he experiences emotional and psychological challenges that he is unable to handle, raising ethical questions about manipulating individuals with disabilities in the pursuit of scientific progress. The story prompts readers to reflect on the morality of experimenting on vulnerable populations and the importance of informed consent and ethical considerations in medical research.

3）The nature of intelligence

Part of the "moral" of Flowers for Algernon is that Charlie, despite his increased intelligence, supposedly never becomes a better person. Therefore, although his intelligence improves, Charlie as a person does not; rather than simply becoming hyper-intelligent, he also becomes cruel and selfish. [1] It challenges the idea that intelligence is the sole measure of a person's worth and invites readers to consider the many different forms that intelligence can take. The intelligence is not just a matter of IQ scores, but also encompasses emotional intelligence, creativity, and social skills.

4) Love&Identity

The novel is a compelling and emotional story that explores complex themes such as identity, love, and human connection. As Charlie's intelligence changes, he undergoes profound emotional and psychological transformations that force him to confront the limitations of his own understanding and the fragility of human existence. The novel challenges readers to reflect on their own experiences of these themes, and to consider the importance of love and understanding in building meaningful relationships with other

[1] "You're Not the Same Kind of Human Being": The Evolution of Pity to Horror in Daniel Keyes's Flowers for Algernon https://dsq-sds.org/index.php/dsq/article/view/1