ELA Mrs. Okie Flowers for Algernon

Answer the following questions with the response “agree” or “disagree” Testing measures how smart you are. Your friends are always your friends no matter what. Animal experiments are necessary to medical science. It is possible to be too smart. Stand up for your beliefs no matter what others may say. It is good for wishes to come true. People tend to make fun of people less fortunate than they are. People are frightened of what they do not know. It is ok to improve upon the way you are naturally. Most people are never satisfied with what they have.

Genre: Science Fiction a broad genre of fiction that often takes place in the future and usually involves speculations based on current science. It is commonly abbreviated as SF or Sci-Fi. Science fiction is found in books, art, television, movies, games, theater, and other media.

Author: Daniel Keyes Born in 1927 in Brooklyn, New York City. American author, not primarily of science fiction. He is best known for his award-winning novelette “Flowers for Algernon” which he adapted into his same-name first novel (1966).

Plot Charlie Gordon is a mentally handicapped man with an IQ of about 70. He is chosen to partake in a science experiment that will “make him smart.” There is a lot of growth that Charlie must go through (intellectually and emotionally) before discovering many truths about himself, the people around him, and his purpose in life.

Structure Flowers for Algernon is unique in its structure. Rather than having chapters to separate its sections, it uses “progress reports” that Charlie is required to write as data for the experiment. Therefore, the short story is written entirely from Charlie’s point of view and contains memories and flashbacks as well as daily accounts of his learning and growth. Being the central figure in the experiment, his perspective of the world changes, and certainly challenges the reader’s imagination and moral position.

Themes/Motifs 1. Mistreatment of the Mentally Disabled: based on how society treats Charlie with his low IQ. In addition, it includes Charlie’s perspective of the disabled and how he continues to be treated after his operation.

Themes/Motifs 2. Intellect vs. Emotion: Charlie’s situation certainly illustrates the difficulty of developing both intellect and emotion without conflict. The story also has characters that represent both “ends”: pure intellect and pure emotion.

Themes/Motifs 3. Persistence of Past with the Present: As seen in Charlie’s recorded memories, the past consistently reveals itself and is a significant factor in Charlie’s perspective of the world. It also helps the reader to understand the person that Charlie is.

Symbols A literary symbol is something that means more than what it is literally. It is an object, person, situation, action or some other item, which has a literal meaning in the story, but also suggests or represents other deeper meanings. Literary symbols are symbols that have a meaning within a particular story, but not outside it. Conventional symbols keep their meaning, no matter where they appear.

Symbols Using something to represent an idea (symbolism = using symbols) i.e. maple leaf = Canada Heart = love Dove = peace Cross = God, church, religion

Symbols 1. Algernon: The mouse that is Charlie’s laboratory “equal” and obviously represents Charlie on several levels. Algernon’s progress echoes Charlie’s. As well, Charlie feels, at times, more like a laboratory animal than a human being.

Symbols 2. Window: Charlie recollects or feels that he is viewing the outside world through a window. It represents his emotional distance by watching the outside world through a barrier.

RETARD

Word Meanings CONNOTATION The personal connection to the word what comes to mind implied additional meaning: an additional sense associated with or suggested by a word or phrase Ex: Home DENOTATION The Dictionary definition basic meaning: the most specific or literal meaning of a word, as opposed to its figurative senses or connotations Ex: House

Retard: Connotation & Denotation Mental retardation is a term still used, but because of its negative connotations, the term intellectual/developmental disability is now appropriate.

Algernon Algernon and the treatment he receives is a metaphor for the way people treat Charlie. People use Algernon to advance their own agendas and make themselves look better, while nobody really cares about Algernon.

Charlie Gordon Charlie is a stranger, representing the “Other.” Before the surgery, nobody wants anything to do with Charlie. After the surgery, everyone wants nothing to do with Charlie. Looking for acceptance? None of that here! Charlie is haunted by both his past and his future.

Alice Kinnian Alice represents an impotent attempt by society to understand and help others. Does she see something in Charlie that the others don’t? Is that why she suggests Charlie for the procedure?

Rose Gordon Rose Gordon is what passes as Charlie’s Mother. Rose represents society’s desire to ignore its own differences rather than embrace or even understanding them. Rose protected Charlie until she gave birth to Norma.

Norma Gordon Charlie’s sister is tormented by the other kids because of her brother’s condition. Norma is a spoiled child who blames her brother for her own issues and represents society’s inability to accept anything different from the majority. However, she is a victim of her own prejudices when her mother falls ill, & she spends the rest of her life caring for her

Dr. Jay Strauss & Professor Harold Nemur To these two guys Charlie is just another test subject, no more important than Algernon. Professor Nemur can’t understand Charlie’s unhappiness as Charlie’s IQ grows. He cares only for his own career and proving his own facts. He feels that Charlie owes him something for the incredible gifts he gave. Dr.Strauss is a Psychiatrist and cares more about what is going on in Charlie’s head. He tries to analyze Charlie’s progress.

Rorschach Test Psychology is the scientific study of mental processes and behaviour. Psychologists use exams to study different human activity, which may help them find the cause of problems in individuals’ daily lives. Once an individual has been assessed, an appropriate treatment of mental illness may be implemented.

Rorschach Test

Rorschach Test

Ten faces in the tree?

Multiple Intelligences Howard Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences is a psychological and educational theory which suggests that many different kinds of “intelligence” exists in human beings. Each individual has different levels of these different intelligences. In other words, we all have different talents.

Writing a THESIS STATEMENT The thesis statement must serve two purposes. It must both identify the work about which you are writing, and; it must clearly give the point you are using this work to prove.

Writing a THESIS STATEMENT In order to succeed in these two purposes, the following format is suggested: “In the (novel/play/film), , the author develops the idea that…”  The sentence is completed with a specific statement that will be proven with the textual examples presented in the essay. This format helps eliminate confusion in your introduction, and also helps prevent signposting (explicit statements about the writing process).

Examples In the novel, The Chrysalids, the author John Wyndham develops the idea that discrimination does nothing but spread fear.” In the novel, The Memory-Keeper’s Daughter, by Kim Edwards, the author develops the idea that a well-constructed lie is easier to believe than the truth.