1. Flowers for Algernon
Daniel Keyes

2. “[I am] fascinated by the complexities of the human mind.”
Meet the Author
Daniel Keyes
Daniel Keyes was born in Brooklyn, New York.
“Flowers for Algernon” was first published in 1959 in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction.
The story was later expanded into a full-length novel, and then made into a movie called Charly, a musical play, and a TV production.
Read his full biography on page 248
“[I am] fascinated by the complexities of the human mind.”

3. VOCABULARY absurd hypothesis impair introspective naivete opportunist
proportional
regression
sensation
shrew
specialization
statistically
syndrome
tangible
vacuous

4. absurd adjective – ridiculously unreasonable
It’s absurd to when you consider the work that is being done in India and China today in the very field of his study.
Student demonstration

5. hypothesis noun – a theory used as a basis for research
The hypothesis here proven may be described simply in the following terms…
Student demonstration

6. impair verb – to weaken; damage
Motor activity is impaired; there is general reduction of glandular activity; there is an accelerated loss of coordination.
Student demonstration

7. introspective adjective – examining one’s own thoughts, feelings
I keep telling myself how important this introspective journal will be.
Student demonstration

8. naïveté noun – a lack of sophistication; simplicity
I have often reread my progress reports and seen the illiteracy, the childish naïveté, the mind of low intelligence peering from a dark room, through the keyhole, at the dazzling light outside.
Student demonstration

9. opportunist
noun - a person who takes advantage of any opportunity to achieve a goal, with little regard for moral principles
Dr. Nemur said that Dr. Strauss was nothing but an opportunist who was trying to ride to glory on his coattails.
Student demonstration

10. proportional
adjective – having a constant relation in degree or number
Artificially increased intelligence deteriorates at a rate of time directly proportional to the quantity of the increase.
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11. regression noun – a return to a less developed condition
I’ve got to find the reason for the sharp regression in Algernon.
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12. sensation noun – a state of great interest and excitement
Algernon and I were presented to the American Psychological Association we were quite a sensation.
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13. shrew noun - a mean, nagging woman
I remember hearing Burt say that Dr. Nemur had a shrew of a wife who was pushing him all the time to get things published so he could become famous.
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14. specialization
noun – a focus on a particular activity or area of study.
He was educated in the tradition of narrow specialization; the broader aspects of background were neglected far more than necessary – even for a neurosurgeon.
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15. statistically
adverb – in terms of the principles used to analyze numerical data
As will be seen by my report, these and other physical and mental deterioration syndromes can be predicted with statistically significant results by the application of my formula.
Student demonstration

16. syndrome
noun – a group of symptoms that characterizes a disease or psychological disorder
As will be seen by my report, these and other physical and mental deterioration syndromes can be predicted with statistically significant results by the application of my formula.
Student demonstration

17. tangible adjective – able to be seen or touched; material
I suspect that Dr. Nemur, who is sixty – ten years older than Dr. Strauss – finds it necessary to see tangible results of his work.
Student demonstration

18. vacuous adjective – showing a lack of intelligence or thought
I felt sick inside as I looked at his dull, vacuous smile, the wide, bright eyes of a child, uncertain but eager to please.
Student demonstration

19. Connect to Your Life
What do you know about your brain?

20. Build Background
In the short story you are about to read, doctors experiment with a surgical method to increase the intelligence of a mentally challenged man.
Each area of the brain controls a different function.
Look at the illustration of the brain on page 202. What areas might the doctors operate on during the surgery of the main character? Why?

21. Focus Your Reading Characterization
Characterization consists of the techniques a writer uses to create and develop characters.
These techniques include:
describing the character’s appearance
presenting the way the character talks, thinks, and behaves
showing what others think of the character
making direct statements about the character
Examples

22. Focus Your Reading Making Inferences
When you make a logical, or educated, guess about a character or even based on story clues or your own experience, you are making an inference.
Story clues + Own experience = Inference

23. Mazes
Ready – set – GO ! ! !

24. Read Read the selection (pages 202-248).
Demonstrate the reading strategies you use by writing out thoughts, questions, predictions, etc. on your “notes” page.
Be sure to wrap up your thoughts with your final reaction to the selection.
Prepare for discussion by preparing at least 3 discussion starters.