“I don’t know what’s worse: to not know what you are and be happy, or to become what you’ve always wanted to be, and feel alone.”
-Daniel Keyes, Flowers for Algernon
Hello readers,
How are you doing? I didn’t plan on finishing a book so quickly, but I was pleasantly surprised when I completed Flowers for Algernon before the newsletter deadline. I started reading it on Wednesday night and finished by early Saturday morning, around 2 am. I completed it in two nights, one clinical ward shift, and a bus journey back home.
Reading *Flowers for Algernon* was a deeply relaxing and comforting experience. The diary-style writing resonated with me, as it closely mirrors the style I'm using in my work-in-progress novel and a light novel. If you'd like updates about my writing, let me know in the comments!
Back to the book. While it may feel fictional, Flowers for Algernon is close to reality. The story's central metaphor of a mentally disabled person gaining intellect, then navigating new experiences and relationships, and ultimately finding his way back to his family, is both poignant and thought-provoking. The journey of the protagonist, Charlie Gordon, is a powerful exploration of human intelligence and emotion.
Charlie’s transformation, from a man with an IQ of 68 to a genius-level intellect, is beautifully depicted through his diary entries. As he becomes more intelligent, he gains a deeper understanding of the world and people around him. He experiences the joys of learning, the complexities of human relationships, and the painful awareness of his limitations.
“Now I understand that one of the important reasons for going to college and getting an education is to learn that the things you've believed in all your life aren't true and that nothing is what it appears to be.”
The book also delves into themes of identity, human connection, and the ethics of scientific experimentation. Charlie's initial excitement about his newfound abilities is tempered by the realization that intelligence alone cannot solve all of life's problems. His relationships with others, including his mentor Alice Kinnian, become strained as he grapples with his changing self.
One of the most touching aspects of the book is Charlie’s relationship with Algernon, a lab mouse who underwent the same experimental procedure. Algernon’s decline foreshadows Charlie’s fate, adding a layer of tragic inevitability to the story. The bond between Charlie and Algernon highlights the emotional and ethical dimensions of the experiment, emphasizing the importance of empathy and compassion.
“P.S. please if you get a chanse put some flowrs on Algernons grave in the bak yard.”
I almost cried as I read the final pages. The book's ending is a heart-wrenching reminder of the fleeting nature of human experiences and the inevitable return to a state of innocence. Charlie’s decision to return to the Warren State Home, where he lived before the experiment, is a testament to his bravery and self-awareness.
On a personal note, I will be using my real name from here on out. I was playing a dating game that featured a strong male lead who was kind of a bully—the cold, masculine type who is soft at heart. He used to write as a hobby and was terrified of people knowing about it. By the end of the game, he begins to question his fear and one of the girls helps him realize his true self. Strangely, this game made me question my decision to use an alias, but it helped me resolve another matter
Another reason I connected deeply with the book is that I, too, have felt like Charlie Gordon because of my upbringing. My parents were overprotective, and I was often ill during childhood. Although I did well in my studies, I rarely got to play with other children. I would watch them from a distance, hoping to be as good as them in sports. They occasionally invited me to play, but I mostly ended up fielding, and if I got to bat, I would be out in 2-3 balls. Soon I gave up on sports and rode my bicycle whenever I felt the urge to go out for an excursion. But I liked walking more and soon discarded my bicycle as well.
“Why am I always looking at life through a window?” (Daniel Keyes)
I was a class clown until middle school, with many friends, but that started to change gradually. As Charlie quotes in his progress report;
“Only a short time ago, I learned that people laughed at me. Now I can see that unknowingly I joined them in laughing at myself. That hurts the most.”
I still remember the disapproving looks from my mother whenever topics related to girls or relationships came up. We weren't allowed to discuss such things. Even subtle scenes in TV dramas were strictly forbidden. But you know, even if kids don't understand why, they start to feel funny towards the opposite sex. This realization comes sooner or later, and the damage can sometimes be greater than expected.
“A child may not know how to feed itself, or what to eat, yet it knows hunger.”
I felt like Charlie until I finished high school and went to college. Leaving my parent's house for a dormitory to live in, forced me to change. I faced new realities, met many different people, and started to take responsibility for my life and future. This stimulated my dull mind. I didn't lack intellect like Charlie but I lacked knowledge. I had let my mind rot. College, the 200 people around me, the new situations life forced me into, COVID-19, and the idleness it brought forced me to learn more about myself. This sparked my hunger for reading. I delved into all sorts of books: philosophy, psychology, self-help, classics, contemporary fiction, non-fiction, politics, military. I started playing chess, writing, and watching Netflix shows I had been afraid to watch before because of the content references.
If I were to be honest, the first instance that introduced a mental change within me was the anime *My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU*. The character Hikigaya Hachiman was someone I could relate to deeply. This connection also happened with Charlie Gordon. If anything, I am grateful for the intellect I have been given, to use it to nurture my mind, think of solutions to problems, make sense of the world around me, and break out of the shell around me.
“And now - Plato's words mock me in the shadows on the ledge behind the flames: '...the men of the cave would say of him that up he went and down he came without his eyes.”
Flowers for Algernon is a timeless classic that invites readers to reflect on the true meaning of intelligence and the complexities of the human condition. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a deeply moving and thought-provoking read. I would end this newsletter with Charlie’s advice to Professor Nemur.
“P.S. please tel prof Nemur not to be such a grouch when pepul laff at him and he would have more frends. Its easy to have frends if you let pepul laff at you. Im going to have lots of frends where I go.”
I look forward to hearing your thoughts. Have you read Flowers for Algernon? What did you think about Charlie’s journey? Share your insights in the comments!
Regards,
Khuzema Ahmed
FLOWERS FOR ALGERNON is a beautiful and heartbreaking story. The movie was excellent, too. Dalton Trumbo's JOHNNY GOT HIS GUN would be another interesting book to report on.