Flowers For Algernon Literary Analysis

T.S Eliot once said “Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.” This quote greatly relates to the story “Flowers for Algernon” because the main character Charlie Gordon takes a risk. He puts his life in harms way by getting an operation that could change his life forever. The risk Charlie took came with serious consequences, but he knew the outcome would shine greater than the worst part of the consequence. Taking Chances in life is important because if you don’t, you will find yourself living a ordinary life . Daniel Keyes believes that you can’t be afraid to take a risk once and awhile or you'll look back on a life of regret. In the beginning of the story, Charlie takes a chance by saying

This can be a scary thing to some people, but Charlie took a risk. He knew that there was a chance it wouldn’t work out between them, but he decided to take the chance anyways. “I didn't want to think of that possibility any more than elderly people want to think of death. I knew that this was only the beginning. I knew what she meant about levels because I'd seen some of them already. The thought of leaving her behind made me sad. I'm in love with Miss Kinnian.” Charlie proves to be very courageous about loving his

He has the feeling inside him that he used to be great, and can’t live with the fact that he isn’t anymore. Charlie takes a chance at moving away, and starting over somewhere that doesn’t know who Charlie Gordon was. For example, “Thats why im going away from New York for good. I dont want to do nothing like that agen. i dont want Miss Kinnian to feel sorry for me. Evry body feels sorry at the factery and I dont want that eather so im going someplace where nobody knows that Charlie Gordon was once a genus and now he cant even reed a book or rite good.” This proves how insecure he is now, and he needs to take a risk and start over somewhere new. He knew it was risky because he won’t have people like Miss Kinnian to look after him