To some people intelligence is everything. In Flowers for Algernon, Daniel Neyes shows the world that intelligence isn't everything and that it can actually be pretty overrated. This story fascinated me and has changed my outlook on intelligence forever.
The main lesson in this story is that instead of intelligence, what the world needs is kindness. This story is about a mentally challenged man named Charlie, who gets to experience knowledge. He learns that intelligence has its advantages but even more disadvantages.
Charlie' operation had an enormous impact on his life. He even lost his job because of the operation. “I got driven out of the factory, now I'm more alone than ever.” (Page 60) This quote proves that Charlie's peers are frightened by his sudden intelligence. They underestimated Charlie so much they didn't even want to work with him.
After Charlie started to become smarter, he started to feel attracted to Ms. Kinnian. “The thought of leaving her behind made me more sad than ever, I'm in love with Ms. Kinnian.” (Page 59) They both know that the relationship will only end in heartbreak. As the story progresses, Charlie will pass Ms. Kinnian in intelligence but then will go back to the way he started.
Charlie was kind when he was mentally challenged because he had no knowledge of good or bad. “It was evil when Eve listened to the snake and ate from the tree of knowledge. It was evil that she saw that she was naked. If not for that none of us would ever have to grow old and sick and die.” (Page 60) The story of Adam and Eve is a perfect symbolic example of Charlie. The retarded Charlie is Eve and the fruit was knowledge. Charlie got smart, or ate the fruit, and his world came crashing down after realizing all the things that he never could realize before.
“I remember hearing Burt say that Dr. Demur had a shrew of a wife who was pushing him all the time to get something published so that he could become famous. Burt said that the dream of her life was to have a big shot husband.” (Page58) This quote is about valuing intelligence and fame rather than love or kindness.
“Algernon died two days ago.” (Page 68) This quote symbolizes Charlie, in a way, because Algernon had the operation too. The impact of the operation on Algernon foreshadows that Charlie will probably die also.
Before I read this story, I would feel sympathetic and bad for a mentally challenged person, but now, after reading this story, I realize they are the lucky ones. They know nothing of violence, or rudeness, or meanness. People who try to fix the world with technology or intelligence should really just try to be kinder, because that's really what the world needs.
