Flowers for Algernon
By: Morgan, Lexi, and Melinda
Summary:
This text is about a mentally challenged individual who is chosen for an experiment. Scientists do a variety of tests to determine if there was a way to diminish his illness. The same test is operated on a mouse named Algernon. Their illnesses slowly fade away. After a period of time, the illness comes back and gradually crumbles these individuals.
Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes (Review) - Minute Book Report
Characters
Charlie Gordon
Charlie is the main character. The story is told from his point of view through several journal entries. Charlie is a 37 year old man. He is very tall and has light brown hair. This mentally challenged individual is used in an experimental operation.
Algernon
Algernon is a lab rat that undergoes the same operation as Charlie. Charlies also competes with Algernon in the maze game multiple times throughout the story. After the operation, this white mouse becomes three times more intelligent than a regular mouse. This enables him to solve complex puzzles.
Dr. Strauss
This scientist performs the experimental operation on Charlie that raises his level of intelligence. Dr. Strauss conducts therapy sessions with Charlie after his operation. Unlike Nemur, Dr. Strauss is concerned with Charlie's emotional development and not the money.
Literary devices
Allusion= On page 62, the story refers back to Mozart and referring back to science journals on listening to music as you fall.
Personification= "who was trying to ride on his coattails" (page 69)
Hyperbole= "I was scared to death of those inkblots." (page 68)
Point of View
This story was told from Charlie Gordon's point of view. I know this because he expresses his feelings and emotions throughout the whole story. He also uses words like I, me, my, mine, we, and our.
Critique
Our group thought this story was very interesting. We all agree that the story could have had a better ending. The text was very emotional and sent a good message to the audience. Overall, we were very pleased with this story.