flowers Flashcards
written by who and when?
1959
by Daniel Keyes
what is intergral for humans to realise their capacity?
While not every experience may lead to great epiphanies, positive momentous change, the process of exploration is intergral
Body 1: what does an individual’s need and desire to make new discoveries and engage with the world and its values lead to?
new understandings and renewed perceptions of ourselves and others
Body 1: what is central theme of Algernon?
‘man playing god’, like Prospero does in the island
Body 1: when does novel begin?
begins in Spring, which is symbolic of new beginnings and re-birth, similar to Shakespeare’s use of the cathartic tempest
Body 1: however, the progress reports comes to an end in…?
November, where Autumn symbolised the loss of new growth, and the beginning of regression
Body 1: however, what happens during this time period to Charlie, the main protaganist of story?
begins to develop intelligence and discover the world around him from a new perspective
Body 1: how is his development of intelligence and discovery conveyed?
the clichéd metaphor when describing Charlie as a “giant sponge soaking in knowledge”
Body 1: what does surgery do to him?
his heightened intelligence allows him to discover more about the world
Body 1: negative impact of surgery though?
but the more his intelligence increases the more he grows arrogant and disagreeable, recoiling from human contact, just like Prospero post exile.
Body 1: symbolic, Biblical reference to Adam and Eve?
“It was evil when Eve listened to the sake and ate from the tree of knowledge”
Body 1: effect of symbolism and biblical reference?
foreshadows Charlie’s fall in intelligence
Body 1: what does he begin to discover through help of others, esp Alice?
begins to discover and understand his past and accept himself, learning that intellectual superiority is not the most important goal of a human life
Body 1: how is his final discovery similar to Prospero?
Prospero realises at the end with the abandonment of his books after reconnecting with touchstone character and old wise friend, Gonzalo.
Body 1: often, how do we make discoveries?
thru others
Body 2: what does knowledge and new ideas contribute to?
the liberating nature of discovery of self, our limitations and our potential. It derives from our innate desire to grow and attain self-actualisation.
Body 2: what does Daniel Keye’s character Charlie discover through learning and increasing intelligence?
discovers that “artificially increased intelligence deteriorate at a rate of time directly proportional to the quantity of the increase”.
Body 2: impact of scientific breakthrough?
will help future subjects of the operation
Body 2: what did such knowledge of the end result of surgery lead to?
knowledge triggered self-reflection and desire for moral cleansing
Body 2: What symbolises and acts as a precursor to his own emotional independence?
Charlie’s action of freeing Algernon, the lab rat, from his cage and abandonment of the laboratory
Body 2: What does he learn near the end of the novel, when his intelligence begins to deteriorate?
he learns to love and forgive other people just like Prospero
Body 2: Quote to show use of inaccuracy in his grammar, spelling and punctuation
“P.S. please tel prof Nemur not to be such a grouch when pepul laff at him and he would have more frends…”
Body 2: what does inaccurate sentences symbolise?
his loss of intelligence, but also his desire to pass on his emotional discoveries to Nemur so he could have a better future, despite his inability to articulately express it.
Body 2: what does Charlie discover by near end of his intelligence?
that the lessons he learned applies to humans universally, regardless of status or sense of superiority
Body 2: what does Charlie reveal about foundation of growth as individuals?
the foundation of their growth as individuals and the platform for discovery is determined by the mindset of an individual
