Flowers For Algernon By Daniel Keyes

Opinions are like the Stock Market; they’re constantly changing, sometimes even at the blink of an eye. In the short story, Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes, Charlie Gordon, a 37 year old man with a severe learning handicap, goes through an operation to artificially increase his intelligence. Along the way, he discovers and tests against a mouse named Algernon. Throughout the story, Charlie’s thoughts about Algernon alternate drastically.
Prior to the operation, Charlie saw Algernon as a rival, and wasn’t a fan of him. “If the operashun works Ill show that mouse I can be as smart as he is.” Before the operation, Charlie was forced to race against Algernon to see who could complete a maze faster, and Algernon always came out victorious. Since Charlie continued to lose, he became frustrated and saw the source of this frustration as Algernon, causing dislike. “I hate that mouse.” If there was 1 thing Charlie hated more than Algernon, it was taking those tests in general, and Algernon was always there. Because Algernon was always present during the time of the tests, Charlie associated the hatred for the tests with Algernon.

Once the operation had concluded, Charlie no longer viewed Algernon with hostility, but rather with sympathy and as possible friend.

“That made me sad because if he coudnt lern he woud be hungry.” In order to eat, Algernon had to complete new tests since he was a test subject. However, Charlie wasn’t yet smart enough to understand that, so all he saw was a poor mouse who had to work just for a simple meal. “I think Ill be frends with Algernon.” Although a mouse and a man may seem like polar opposites, Charlie and Algernon had something in common; taking tests all the time. Seeing that Algernon would be the only thing Charlie could relate to besides a human, Charlie wanted to befriend Algernon due to the rare occasion of being

relatable.
In conclusion, Charlie Gordon didn’t always appreciate Algernon, but after his operation, Charlie enjoyed the mouse greatly. Personally, I believe that handicapped people go a bit misunderstood from an emotional standpoint; they can have and change relationships all the time, just like natural people. Perhaps, if people stopped looking at all the differences we have in each other, then we'd find some similarities. While I’m not a psychologist, I know that similarities in people is the best way to form the best relationships.