Flowers For Algernon by Daniel Keyes

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Society has become a shallow place. If an individual does not fit into societies form of the normal person then they are treated differently. But does society treat those who are different in a negative or positive way? In the novel Flowers for Algernon, the author Daniel Keyes shows an in depth look at the treatment of individuals in today's society. Firstly society tends to discriminate against those whose IQ does not fit into the norms of our society. The physically handicapped in today's world are not considered to be "equal" as those who fit into the normal physical appearance, Keyes portrays this through Charlie's thoughts while in the café. Although animals are not technically humans society treats them in ways which no human would wish to be treated, animals have "feelings" just like humans and do not deserve to be tormented just because they cannot talk. In today's society those that do not fall into the norm category are treated in a negative way. In the novel Flowers for Algernon Keyes shows the treatment of different individuals in an intriguing and individual way.

Daniel Keyes shows how negatively those with an abnormally low or high IQ are treated differently in society. Society tends to think that people with an abnormally low IQ and that are considered to be mentally challenged do not have feelings because they cannot comprehend what they are being told. People take advantage of those of low intelligence and use them for their personal enjoyment "They gave me lots of drinks and Joe said Charlie is a card when hes potted. I think that means he likes me. We have some good times but I cannot wait to be smart like my bestfriends Joe Carp and Frank Reilly."(Keyes 30). This quote shows how Charlie's "friends" used and...

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...ental disability.

In Conclusion society does treat certain individuals in a negative way, usually these individuals are slightly different from the norms of our society. The novel Flowers For Algernon by Daniel Keyes depicts the treatment of the mentally handicapped in great detail, but through Charlie's thoughts and emotions he also paints the picture of the treatment of the physically disabled as well as the treatment of animals. Society can learn from this novel in many ways. As the reader gets to know and understand the life of Charlie through his progress reports their outlook changes on how others should be treated, not as test subjects or animals, or unworthy people, but as equals. Every thing that lives and breaths has feelings, emotions, and a personality and should not be discriminated against because they differ slightly from the norms of today's society.

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