1. The short story that this novel has been expanded from was originally written in 1959. It was published in a science-fiction magazine and classified as such. What was happening in the world of science in the late 50s and early 60s? What products were introduced during that time that […]
Read more Study Help Essay QuestionsStudy Help Full Glossary for Flowers for Algernon
affront to insult openly or purposely; offend, slight. all the tea in China a hyperbole meant to exaggerate an extreme amount. brusque rough or abrupt in manner or speech. catatonic stupor a state characterized by a noticeable lack of move-ment, activity, or expression, in which the mind and senses are […]
Read more Study Help Full Glossary for Flowers for AlgernonCritical Essays Ethical Issues in Flowers for Algernon
The surgery that Charlie undergoes in Flowers for Algernon is purely fictional, although surgical techniques in the treatment of the mentally ill were being used at the time that the novel’s action takes place. Presumably, Charlie had one of the procedures common at the time when he was treated with […]
Read more Critical Essays Ethical Issues in Flowers for AlgernonCritical Essays Themes in Flowers for Algernon
The central theme in Flowers for Algernon is Man Playing God. The basic structural layout of the novel supports this theme. The novel’s chronological timeline begins March 3 and ends November 21. The seasonal interpretation is obvious. Charlie’s surgery takes place in the spring, a time of new beginnings, new […]
Read more Critical Essays Themes in Flowers for AlgernonDaniel Keyes Biography
Daniel Keyes was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1927. He joined the U.S. Maritime Service at the age of 17 and became a ship’s purser. Upon returning home, he resumed his education at Brooklyn College (now CUNY), where he received his B.A. degree in psychology. Keyes also earned a […]
Read more Daniel Keyes BiographyCharacter Analysis Norma Gordon
One can imagine the trauma of Norma’s childhood through her own repressed memories. Norma’s shared recollections (though she would not call them that) convince the reader that Charlie’s recovered memories are true. As a child, Norma wouldn’t have been able to understand Charlie’s situation very well, and she would have […]
Read more Character Analysis Norma GordonCharacter Analysis Rose Gordon
It’s hard to find compassion for Rose, although Charlie man-ages to. Women in the 1950s were much more identified with their children, and some people would attribute developmental disabilities to sins of the parent. Clearly, Rose did not want to be responsible for a child with low intelligence. But until […]
Read more Character Analysis Rose GordonCharacter Analysis Matt Gordon
Charlie’s father is clearly a man beaten down by life. He can-not protect his son from his wife. He has no influence in his house-hold. And even when he fulfills his dream of owning a barbershop, we sense an emptiness in him. How much does his abandonment of his only […]
Read more Character Analysis Matt GordonCharacter Analysis Mr. Donner, Frank, and Gimpy
These characters are important to the novel’s theme of friend-ship. Mr. Donner’s friendship with Charlie’s Uncle Herman causes Mr. Donner to take in Charlie and care for him. Charlie’s friend-ship and loyalty to Mr. Donner prompts Charlie to confront Gimpy over the shortchanging, and Charlie’s friendship for Gimpy is the […]
Read more Character Analysis Mr. Donner, Frank, and GimpyCharacter Analysis Alice Kinnian
Alice is an anchor character in this book. She is the only per-son who recognizes and appreciates Charlie’s true human worth before the surgery. She recommends him for the surgery out of respect for his achievements and a desire to help him achieve his goals. She is patient with Charlie […]
Read more Character Analysis Alice Kinnian