Literary Merit In Daniel Keyes Flowers For Algernon

Flowers for Algernon: Extra Credit What is literary merit? A literary merit is when a work of literature entertains a reader and is interesting to read and it also demonstrates innovation in style, voice, structure, characterization, plot and/or description. The author of Flowers for Algernon, Daniel Keyes, creates a story that is not only is interesting but, also, has the story has an original style, voice, structure, characterization, and plot. Daniel Keyes takes an unusual man, someone with a below average IQ, and turns him into an extraordinary man. But, this man, Charlie Gordon, has to face many difficulties before, during, and after this procedure. Daniel Keyes applies an original style and structure, which are one in the same, instead

When Charlie is below average no one understands him, his family kicks him out, and his friends at work make fun of him. For example they often say “ to pull a Charlie Gordon” (Keyes 42), when they have done something stupid. When Charlie gains intelligence, still no one wants to be his friend because they do not understand him and they almost fear him. Not only does Charlie’s friends see him change but Charlie, himself, sees himself changing, “ I’m not myself. I’m falling apart” (Keyes 300). Charlie almost feels alone, he keeps to himself and only focuses on his work, “”(Keyes). When the experiment does not have the right outcome as the scientist thought, Charlie becomes below average again. This time the people who were mean to Charlie, and if they feel sorry for him. Charlie does not want people to feel sorry for him so he leaves and goes to the Warren, which is home for mentally ill people. When Keyes writes this way the readers feel sorry for Charlie and this interests us. The obstacles and rocky paths Charlie has to overcome is saddening and sickening at the same time. Charlie's mother would put him in the basement when company would come over and beat him when he would pee his pants when he was scared or nervous, The readers feel for Charlie and this makes them continue to read because it keeps us