Flowers for Algernon is a novel written by Daniel Keyes and published in 1966.
Summary: Algernon is a laboratory mouse whose cognitive abilites have been increased thanks to a surgical intervention. The scientists who conduct this experiment want to extend such a success to mankind. The main character, Charlie Gordon, a man with intellectual disability, is chosen to go through the same surgery as Algernon. At first, the surgery is a success. Charlie Gordon’s cognitive abilites increase. He begins to have a different understanding of his surrounding. He creates a special bound with Algernon. However, one day, Algernon’s behavior begins to regress. Charlie is now fully aware of his fate. His intellectual abilities slowly begin to regress in turn…The novel is the collection of reports written by Charlie from the 3rd of March until the 21st of November, starting a few days before his surgery.
Why should you read this novel ?
Firstly, this novel explores an ethical issue. What to think about scientific experiment conducted with people whose consent is not entirely free ? What to think about the consequences of such an experiment which completely transform a person’s life, his personality and his mental well-being ? Is the « greater good » of scientific research worth sacrificing a person’s life ?
Furthermore, intelligence is questioned. Nowadays, intelligence has a high social prestige. Many people dream of having a high Intellectual Quotient (IQ), without being aware of the problems resulting in such a situation. As Charlie writes in his report :
« Intelligence is one of the greatest human gifts. But all too often a search for knowledge drives out the search for love. […] Intelligence without the ability to give and receive affection leads to mental and moral breakdown, to neurosis, and possibly even psychosis. And I say that the mind absorbed in and involved in itself as a self-centered end, to the exclusion of human relationships, can only lead to violence and pain. » (the 11th of August)
This book contrasts positive and negative aspects of intelligence. On one hand, Charlie becomes able to understand new things :
« My most absorbing interests at the present time are etymologies of ancient languages, the newer works on the calculus of variations, and Hindu history. It’s amazing the way things, apparently disconnected, hang together. I’ve moved up to another plateau, and now the streams of the various disciplines seem to be closer to each other as if they flow from a single source. » (the 15th of May).
On the other hand, while his intelligence increases, his relationships with others deteriorate :
« When I was retarded I had lots of friends. Now I have no one. Oh, I know lots of people. Lots and lots of people. But I don’t have any real friends. Not like I used to have in the bakery. Not a friend in the world who means anything to me, and no one I mean anything to. » (the 11th of August).
As he writes in his report, he is becoming « too intelligent », he finds other people’s conversations boring and childish. Books and knowledge cannot help him on that topic. Becoming more aware of existential questions leads him to dark thoughts and loneliness. So, intelligence brings its share of problems.
Moreover, this novel puts the reader in a person with intellectual disability’s shoes and in a person with high intellectual potential’s shoes. As future psychologists, trying to understand how those people may think and what they may feel is extremely interesting. Having a better understanding can help to set up more suitable care.
Thus, we strongly recommend you to read this novel, for all the reasons explained above. Research articles about intellectual abilities provide scientific informations that are essential. However, this fictional novel may help you think about ethics and intelligence issue.
Words we have learned:
- Mankind : l’humanité
- Consent : consentement
- To put oneself in someone’s shoes : se mettre à la place de quelqu’un
- To bring a share of : apporter son lot de
- Suitable : approprié
Aurore LECRECQ & Cécile LEPAINTEUR