1. Flowers for Algernon A totally sweet book. A totally sweet book. And a totally decent play.

2. Parents: Why wont they shut up? Published in 1966, Flowers for Algernon has generated more than its share of controversy. Published in 1966, Flowers for Algernon has generated more than its share of controversy. Most of the controversy centered around Charlies struggle to understand his sexual desires as his intelligence grows. Most of the controversy centered around Charlies struggle to understand his sexual desires as his intelligence grows. Occasionally banned from libraries on the grounds of immorality and explicit behavior Occasionally banned from libraries on the grounds of immorality and explicit behavior Another aspect to receive criticism is the treatment Charlie receives before he gains intelligence. Another aspect to receive criticism is the treatment Charlie receives before he gains intelligence. Most challenges to Flowers for Algernon prove to be unsuccessful. Most challenges to Flowers for Algernon prove to be unsuccessful.

3. Ignorance = Bliss? These are the themes explored in Flowers for Algernon. How should you treat someone who doesnt understand how you treat them? How should you treat someone who doesnt understand how you treat them? Does knowledge of unhappiness make us unhappy? Does knowledge of unhappiness make us unhappy? Does intelligence control emotion? Does intelligence control emotion?

4. Algernon Algernon and the treatment he receives is a metaphor for the way people treat Charlie. Algernon and the treatment he receives is a metaphor for the way people treat Charlie. People use Algernon to advance their own agendas and make themselves look better, while nobody really cares about Algernon. People use Algernon to advance their own agendas and make themselves look better, while nobody really cares about Algernon.

5. Charlie Gordon Charlie is a stranger, representing the Other. Before the surgery, nobody wants anything to do with Charlie. After the surgery, everyone wants nothing to do with Charlie. Looking for acceptance? None of that here! Charlie is haunted by both his past and his future.

6. Alice Kinnian Alice represents an impotent attempt by society to understand and help others. Alice represents an impotent attempt by society to understand and help others. Does she see something in Charlie that the others dont? Is that why she suggests Charlie for the procedure? Does she see something in Charlie that the others dont? Is that why she suggests Charlie for the procedure?

7. Rose Gordon Rose Gordon is what passes as Charlies Mother. Rose Gordon is what passes as Charlies Mother. Rose represents societys desire to ignore its own differences rather than embrace or even understanding them. Rose represents societys desire to ignore its own differences rather than embrace or even understanding them. Rose protected Charlie until she gave birth to Norma. Rose protected Charlie until she gave birth to Norma.

8. Norma Gordon Charlies sister is tormented by the other kids because of her brothers condition. Charlies sister is tormented by the other kids because of her brothers condition. Norma is a spoiled child who blames her brother for her own issues and represents societys inability to accept anything different from the majority. Norma is a spoiled child who blames her brother for her own issues and represents societys inability to accept anything different from the majority. However, she is a victim of her own prejudices when her mother falls ill, & she spends the rest of her life caring for her However, she is a victim of her own prejudices when her mother falls ill, & she spends the rest of her life caring for her

9. Dr. Jay Strauss & Professor Harold Nemur To these two guys Charlie is just another test subject, no more important than Algernon. To these two guys Charlie is just another test subject, no more important than Algernon. Professor Nemur cant understand Charlies unhappiness as Charlies IQ grows. He cares only for his own career and proving his own facts. He feels that Charlie owes him something for the incredible gifts he gave. Professor Nemur cant understand Charlies unhappiness as Charlies IQ grows. He cares only for his own career and proving his own facts. He feels that Charlie owes him something for the incredible gifts he gave. Dr.Strauss is a Psychiatrist and cares more about what is going on in Charlies head. He tries to analyze Charlies progress. Dr.Strauss is a Psychiatrist and cares more about what is going on in Charlies head. He tries to analyze Charlies progress.

10. Science is SO COOL! Dr.Strauss and Dr.Nemur represent science as the main means of progress. Dr.Strauss and Dr.Nemur represent science as the main means of progress. Dr.Strauss uses various tests to determine how Charlie is advancing. Using Rorschach tests to objectively determine something highly subjective (Imagination and creativity) Dr.Strauss uses various tests to determine how Charlie is advancing. Using Rorschach tests to objectively determine something highly subjective (Imagination and creativity) In the end of the story, how has Charlie progressed, has anyone really helped him at all? Or is he worse off than before? In the end of the story, how has Charlie progressed, has anyone really helped him at all? Or is he worse off than before?