Intelligence In Daniel Keys Flowers For Algernon

\Eric Shteremberg

Mark Schmidt

27 April 2023

ELA 9

“The more intelligent you become, the more problems you'll have.” (Keys, 36). In the novel Flowers for Algernon, by Daniel Keys. Keys highlights the theme of the liabilities and the misfortunes that come with having enhanced intelligence. While some may argue that Charlie ended his journey with no regrets. Keys uses different elements such as Charlie’s emotional and social struggles, his hypothesis around the Algernon Gordon effect, and his motherly connection to his teacher, or potential love interest, Mrs. Kinnian.

Keys uses the idea of Charlie’s severe lack of emotional and social intelligence to further prove the theme of how increased intelligence can lead to disadvantages and an imbalance that leads to overcompensation of the logical area of the brain. One example of this is when Keys writes, “The answer can't be found in books - or be solved by bringing it to other people. Not unless you want to remain a child all your

Charlie's thesis states, “Intelligence without the ability to give and receive affection leads to mental and moral breakdown, to neurosis, and possibly even psychosis” (Keys 191). Charlie is shown relaying to the readers the solitude and the isolation of being psychologically elevated in a world of regular people. Throughout the second half of the novel, Charlie is shown having suicidal and self-detrimental thoughts. Keys describes this phenomenon as a guaranteed side effect of the procedure. Keys writes, “Downhill. Thoughts of suicide to stop it all now while I am still in control and aware of the world around me” (Keys 213). This is yet another piece of evidence that supports The Algernon Gordon Effect and proves the overlying theme that enhanced intelligence will lead to psychological, and eventually physical