Assignment Choices for Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keys “A child may not know how to feed itself, or what to eat, yet it knows of hunger” ( ). Choose 1 assignment. Answer the question using quotes from the text. Cite and explain each quote using ICE.

Option #1 Means an object, a thing.

Dear Joe and Frank, I am writing this letter to both of you, because I think that both of you need to know that others think of you as being bullies. I believe that Daniel Keys, the author of Flowers for Algernon wanted his readers to see you this way. You both think you are funny, and when you say things like you “pulled a Charlie Gordon” (227) people actually do laugh, but not because you are funny. Clearly, this quote shows that you are comparing stupid things people do to what Charlie does. This is so unfair, because you know that Charlie is trying his best, and that he wants to please you. You think people like you because they notice and pay attention to you. But here’s the funny thing: others really don’t like you or want to be like you. People laugh for many reasons: because something startles them, or because something is actually clever and funny. But people laugh around you because you make them uncomfortable and they don’t know what else to do. Even while they are laughing, they are wondering what you say or do behind their backs. So they don’t trust you or admire you. Is that what you really want? People admire the people who have strong core values, and who do the right thing because it is the right thing to do. Option #2 A letter to one or more of the characters (purpose may be to advise, critique or admire)

For my lift-a-word I chose “motor-vation”. I choose this word because it summarized what this story is really about. People are smart, or not-so-smart, but what really separates them is motivation. If someone is motivated, he can overcome obstacles like intelligence to make something of himself. But if someone lacks motivation, than they just stay in one place. That person never improves or grows. Charlie demonstrated motivation over and over again. At the start of the story we learn that he took it upon himself to register for night school. He already had a job. Going to school wasn’t going to earn him a promotion or a higher status; he simply did it because he wanted to improve himself. He accepted the challenge of going through the operation even though he wasn’t certain about the outcome. He did it because he was motivated to become smarter and make more of himself. I think this is one of the things the author, Daniel Keys, wanted us to get out of his story. Keys wanted us to know that we can go to school to be smarter; that we can work hard at our jobs no matter what we do. There is dignity in always trying our best. As Fanny says to Charlie, “You used to be a good, dependable, ordinary man – not too bright maybe, but honest” (235). To understand what Fanny is saying you have to be aware of the changes in Charlie, not only in his intelligence, but the changes in his personality as he becomes more intelligent and questions everything around him. There is a certain beauty in someone who treats others with respect and kindness and who is always there to give a helping hand. Option #2 Lift-a-Word (purpose is to identify one word that you think best summarizes a character, the plot, or the theme of the story)