Human Intelligence In Charlie Gordon's Flowers For Algernon

Human Intelligence The reason that certain events have occurred is for the human strive to gain intelligence. In the story, Flowers of Algernon, the main character is a mentally retarded adult, Charlie Gordon. In the story, he wants to become smart; and there is a surgery that can triple his IQ, but the doctors are not sure of the consequences that will occur from the surgery. The reason for this is because so far it they have only tested animals. One of the animals is a white mice called Algernon throughout the story Charlie will grow close to the mouse. When Charlie gets the surgery his intelligences level begins to drastically change for an IQ of 68 to an IQ of 204. The problem with this surgery is it does not last; and he ends up

In Flowers for Algernon, Charlie said, “I just want to be smart” (Keyes 205). Charlie key goal is to be smart even if it is for a short period of time. He has tried his best throughout his life to try and become smart and now with the help of the operation he will have this opportunity. In a quote from Flowers for Algernon it states, “Artificially increased intelligence deteriorates at a rate of time directly proportional to the quantity of the increase” (Keyes 205). Charlie will not maintain his intelligence instead his intelligence level will begin to drop and he will go back to being dumb. This may lead to the conclusion that when he becomes smart it only last for two weeks. This may be true, but he still got to be and feel how it is to be intelligent. It states in the short story, “So I still don’t know what I.Q. is except that mine is going to be over 200 soons” (Keyes 194). Charlie will soon achieve his goal of being smart making the surgery worth it as he will achieve his goal in life. Charlie should have the surgery as he will achieve his goal if he