Flowers For Algernon By Daniel Keyes

By the words of Albert Camus, “Fiction is the lie through which we tell the truth.” Authors have the power to develop a strong emotional connection between their readers and the character that they created. This connection allows for readers to feel sympathy towards untrue characters as they journey through life. The hardships that the author puts their character through relate to our own lives and can help us understand the truths about human nature. Their false experiences can be used to convey true lessons about life that are useful for everybody. These lessons are represented by specific writing techniques that all effective authors implement. Daniel Keyes is one of these authors. In his book Flowers for Algernon, Keyes utilizes a variety

Keyes uses both characterization and conflict to prove that identity comes from experiences and what makes people who they are is constantly shifting as people change and grow. Throughout the entire story, as Charlie gains intelligence, he is constantly learning who he is as a person as he experiences a conflict with himself. He talks about this man vs. self conflict when he says, “Solitude gives me a chance to read and think, and now that the memories are coming through again—to rediscover my past, to find out who and what I really am”(172). This example of conflict supports the theme because it proves that he is struggling to discover who he really is as his past memories come back to haunt him. The characterization of Charlie conveys that he is very dynamic and that how he solves his problems determines who he is. This is proven

Keyes uses syntax very creatively to show Charlie's innocence and longing to be smart at the beginning of the book so he can be happy. Before Charlie becomes smart, he speaks about his desires, saying, “I tolld him because all my life i wantid to be smart and not dumb and my mom always tolld me to try and lern just like Miss Kinnian tells me but its very hard to be smart and even when i lern something in Miss Kinnians class at the school I ferget alot” (4). Charlie felt that he would be happier in life if he was smarter and that his relationships would grow to be stronger. After his surgery, Charlie is faced with an ironic truth that he was not expecting. He recognizes, “Ironic that all my intelligence does to help me solve a problem like this” (89). Keyes implies that Charlie realizes intelligence alone can not make you happy and that Charlie’s original assumption that being smart would solve all of his problems was incorrect. The book is resolved by showing that Charlie is at peace with the level of happiness and intelligence that he has and is happier than he has ever been. Once he loses his intelligence, he says, “ I’m glad I got a second chance in life like you said to be smart because I learned a lot of things that I never even knew were in this world and I’m grateful I saw it even for a little bit. And I’m glad I found out all about my family