Character Analysis Of Charlie Gordon In Daniel Keyes Flowers For Algernon

Have you ever been torn between a decision, have you ever wanted to accomplish something in life, but the possible outcomes outway pro’s. In the novel, “Flowers for Algernon”[Daniel Keyes], Charlie Gordon undergoes an operation that will increase his intelligence. Before Charlie had the operation, he had an IQ of 68(a very low score.) People always saw him as a different kind of person, as more as a non-intelligent, slow, loser. So you ask, should Charlie Gordon, a joyful man with no hatred, seen as a loser, get an operation that will increase his intelligence? Yes, even if it does have some negative effects, as a more intelligent man, not only could he achieve his dream of being smart, but he could find more ways to achieve even more dreams.

Intelligence...to a man who can hardly spell, it might not be his first wish. Sure it would be nice, but Charlie is happy with the way he is. Even though this is true, Charlie benefited greatly from the operation. The intelligence might not have lasted long, but as a more educated person, he could achieve much more things in life. Maybe then he will value more things in life that he never acknowledged before. Things like friends, and family.
It can either lead to greatness, or destroy a life, but nevertheless, knowledge is power(money means power, and money leads to opportunities, opportunities lead to success, success leads to happiness.), and power is useful to such a man as Charlie Gordon. “Raising the bar” so to speak. As he gained knowledge, he “raised his rank” in his social class, until he eventually was on top, seeing that many things in his life-that he has been to blind to see-have been holding him back from success,(success also leads to achievements). Although Charlie got shut out by his friends, this gave Charlie the opportunity to obtain more knowledge, creating a snowball effect of knowledge and power, to the point that he achieved