64 pages • 2 hours read
Daniel KeyesA modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes follows Charlie Gordon, a 32-year-old man with an intellectual disability, who undergoes an experimental procedure to significantly boost his intelligence. Initially a success, Charlie rapidly gains intellect but struggles emotionally. As he recalls painful memories and grapples with complex emotions, the procedure's effects reverse, leading to his intellectual decline. The book includes depictions of explicit sexual content, abuse, bullying, and outdated language regarding disabilities.
Daniel Keyes' Flowers For Algernon is lauded for its profound exploration of human intelligence and ethical science, with Charlie's journey offering a poignant narrative that resonates deeply. Yet, some critics note its dated perspectives and occasionally simplistic characterizations. Overall, the emotional depth and impactful themes make it a compelling read.
Readers who enjoy poignant and thought-provoking narratives with psychological depth would be drawn to Daniel Keyes' Flowers For Algernon. Fans of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein and Aldous Huxley's Brave New World will appreciate its exploration of the human mind, ethical dilemmas, and the impact of scientific experimentation.
Lexile Level
910LScience-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction
Classic Fiction
Psychological Fiction
Life/Time: The Past
Emotions/Behavior: Memory
Identity: Disability
Education
Psychology