Flowers For Algernon Research Paper

Change—human beings experience change throughout life. All human beings have experienced change in different aspects of life. People have changed; they grow and learn from past experiences. In like manner, Charlie Gordon—an unintelligent individual—had gone through a surgery that changed several aspects of himself—physical and mental. Prior to the operation, he was a gratifying adult with a genial smile. After the operation, he seems to not obtain such aspects of himself anymore. Flowers for Algernon, by Daniel Keyes, displays how change is not always beneficial. Change can affect an aspect of life in a multitude of ways.
First, the surgery had changed Charlie. Charlie, a quick-witted individual, had changed his attitude and behavior to the different people in his life. Under those circumstances, the bakery—a place like “home”—was occupied with his coworkers and “friends”. To prove, “Its good to have frends” (Keyes 309). His companions had started to interrogate Charlie’s change; he was discharged for this cause. As Charlie was declining, he had obtained his job back at the bakery from Mr. Donner. Charlie was mistreated by the new boss—Mr. Klaus. For this, the other workers at the bakery were standing up for Charlie. Charlie was joyous that he had friends rather than having an abundance of intellect. The before and the aftermath of the surgery had shown Charlie at his worst. During his worst, he seemed to be the most benefited because he was oblivious to what was actually happening to him. With his intellect, he was more aware of the people he was surrounded with, and did not get along with them as much as before. This event shows how change can not be the best thing in a situation since Charlie seems to benefit when he is not at his best, intellect-wise. Intelligence is not always everything, even when it comes to people in life. Secondly, people are sometimes meant to be the person they are now; they are meant to not change. …show more content…
Furthermore, if people were alike, the community would not have anything different that could be found out, Difference is what keeps environments unified since there is not competition between people. The difference in people is what makes people build relationships with other people. These relationships can grow, change in such ways of having a stronger connection or more. Sometimes, it can be the cause of a bump in a relationship. To show, “I guess he means I’m not ready for a relationship with a woman like Alice Kinnian. Not yet.” (Keyes 102).” Before Charlie’s surgery, he was an innocent kid that always wanted to learn in Ms. Kinnian’s class. After the surgery, he had started to become involved in an intimate relationship with such teacher. The relationship was a result in his increase of intelligence: book smarts. Even though his intelligence increased at a large rate, his emotional growth did not increase as much. Charlie was not ready for a relationship with Alice (Ms. Kinnian) because he was not emotionally ready. So, the surgery was not beneficial, leading to the fact that change is not always beneficial. Later on, his relationship does not get better since there are still bumps in the road for those two. A change in an intimate relationship can cause damage as big as a break. Lastly, Charlie’s surgery has taken on a toll in his personal life, and the people in it. Before the surgery, Charlie