Flowers for Algernon Chapters 1 8 How is

Flowers for Algernon Chapters 1 -8

How is the novel written? �First person

Describe the main character? �Charlie Gordon � 32 years old �Mentally challenged �Works at a bakery �Has been selected to undergo an experiment to raise intelligence

2 a. List five possible struggles he may face as a retarded adult. �Discrimination �Pity �Lack of identity �Being too trustworthy �Being taken advantage of

2 b. Describe how you would feel if your sibling were in the same position as Charlie. �Sad �Jealous �Angry

2 c. Infer three reasons why Charlie’s family is visibly absent. �They are dead �They don’t want anything to do with Charlie �They don’t know where he is

What kind of test did Burt give Charlie? What was the result? �Rorschach Test �He only saw spilled ink

Describe Miss Kinnian. �Charlie’s teacher �Kind �Supportive of Charlie and his surgery

4 a. What did Miss Kinnian tell the doctors about Charlie? �He is the best student to participate in the study because he is the most motivated

4 b. What does what Miss Kinnian tell the doctors reveal about her and Charlie’s relationship? �She believes in him

What happened when Charlie was given the Thematic Apperception Test? �He thinks that he is lying when he creates stories

Who is Algernon? �A mouse who has undergone the same operation

6 a. Describe Charlie’s first meeting with Algernon. �Charlie and Algernon race �Charlie is surprised that mice are so smart �He isn’t mad that Algernon beats him because he thinks he can learn from him

6 b. Predict how Algernon and Charlie’s relationship will evolve? What might put a strain on their relationship? �They might become friends because they are in similar situations �Charlie might be jealous of Algernon �Competitiveness might put a strain on their relationship

What was Professor Nemur worried about with regard to the operation? �The long term effects

Why did Charlie want to be smart? �He wanted to read and write for his mom

8 a. What might be some of the downfalls of going from being mentally retarded to being genius? �Isolation – mental and emotional

Who is Mr. Donner? �Charlie’s boss

9 a. What is Mr. Donner’s relationship with Charlie? �He was friends with Charlie’s uncle and promised to take care of him

How long after the surgery was it when Charlie started to see results? What were they? �A few days and he corrects his own grammatical mistakes

THE BIG QUESTION: How and why might Charlie’s truth change regarding Algernon as he gets smarter? �He might see him as competition as opposed to a friend