Charlie's Character In Daniel Keyes Flowers For Algernon

“Intelligence is one of the greatest human gifts. But all too often a search for knowledge drives out the search for love. This is something else I've discovered for myself very recently.” Everyone grows up. Some people slower than others. The novel Flowers for Algernon, by Daniel Keyes, is a story about a special needs man named Charlie Gordon. Then, he is chosen to be a part of a medical procedure, that enhances your intelligence. Charlie learns a lot about his family after the procedure. Also, he discovers love for the first time and most importantly, himself. Daniel Keyes shows Charlie’s character’s development intellectually, emotionally, and socially. Throughout the novel, Charlie witness difficulties with his family, love life, and his

Charlie experiences love for the first time in the novel. When his teacher, Alice Kinnian, enters the story, the reader knows that Charlie is going to fall for her. They hit it off and fall in love. Charlie doesn’t have much experience with sexual things and love. Towards the beginning of the book, Charlie dreams about Ellen, the girl from the party, “I dreamed about that girl Ellen dancing and rubbing up against me and when I woke up the sheets were wet and messy” (Keyes 43). This was very different to Charlie because this is an unusual thing that happened. Towards the middle of the book, Charlie and his teacher, Alice Kinnian, fall in love. They go on dates, and Charlie is head over heels for her. This was the first person Charlie ever fell in love with. The procedure really helped him grow up and learn the true meaning of love. But then, Charlie meets Fay. A girl that lives across the hall in his apartment building. Charlie has different emotions for both girls, but winds up having sexual intercourse with Fay. On page 236, Charlie said, “I went home and made love to Fay, but kept thinking of Alice” (Keyes). Charlie still had a lot of feelings for Fay, but still loved Alice. Even when he was “making love,” to Fay, he thought about Alice. When Charlie was young, he didn’t have a lot of friends, he was very sheltered because of his disabilities. Now, Charlie has a lot of

Throughout the novel, Charlie witness difficulties with his family, love life, and his increase in intelligence. Charlie’s emotions change, with his family and himself. Charlie learns a lot about his parents and life throughout the procedure and grows as a character. Next, Charlie grows socially. Charlie gains some love interests on the way and many different friends. This shapes Charlie’s character because it is very different from what he’s experienced. Finally, Charlie's intelligence changes throughout the book and changes his character. Throughout the scene with Alice, the reader sees that Charlie has overused his new intelligence, Therefore, Daniel Keyes show’s Charlie’s character’s development intellectually, emotionally, and