Algernon Development

Algernon is a super genius. He can complete difficult tests and also happens to be a mouse. Algernon’s character develops in three stages. His peak in intelligence after an experimental operation defines him in the beginning. Later, Algernon is frustrated when this new intelligence begins to wear off. His brain continues to regress to a level even lower than it was prior to the operation, ultimately ending in his death. These stages are not only important for the character development of Algernon but for Charlie’s too.

To begin the story, the reader learns Algernon is a highly intelligent mouse, possibly smarter than a human. His IQ increased as a result of an experimental operation. When Charlie discovers Algernon has had the same procedure, he lets the reader know how his intelligence has tripled. “He says it took a long time with Algernon before he got three times smarter then he was before. Thats why Algernon beats me all the time because he had that operashun too” (Keyes 288). Charlie also explains to the reader how Algernon was the first animal to successfully have this operation: “Burt said no Algernon is a very specshul mouse with an operashun like mine, and he was the first of all the animals to stay

“I recall your once saying to me that an experimental failure or the disproving of a theory was as important to the advancement of learning as a success would be” (Keyes 301). The reader now understands the experiment was not a success. Charlie also validates Algernon’s expected death when he says “Algernon died two days ago. Dissection shows my predictions were right. His brain had decreased in weight and there was a general smoothing out of cerebral convolutions as well as a deepening and broadening of brain fissures” (302). This confirms Algernon’s expected death by the “Algernon-Gordon