Post on 31-Mar-2015
“Flowers for Algernon”published in 1959
By Daniel Keyes
p. 22
Flowers for Algernon
• When do you give someone flowers?
I q test
Iq test
Parallel episodes
• Certain elements of the plot are repeated.
• Three wishes
• Three pigs
• Goldilocks- three beds, three…
Subplots
• A minor plot that relates in some way to the major plot.
• Algernon/Charlie
• Charlie/Miss Kinnian
I.Q. operation
• If we could alter people’s I.Q., should we?
Journal
• If you could only be one or the other, would you be smart and not popular, or popular and not smart?
• What would be the advantages?
• What would be the disadvantages?
• Smart: ______
• Popular: ________
Journal Entry
• What is something your really want or wish for in life? Why? Write 5 sentences.
Journal Entry #3
• What makes a child become an adult?
Journal entry #4
• Write about an event that happened two separate times in your life?
• How were they similar?
• How were they different?
Misled-fooled; led to believe something wrong
• Mis means wrong
• Mis misled, mistake
• Not allowed mistaken, mistaking, mistook
• Miscelleaneous
Mis- BAD or wrongmisled misnomer (lightning is a misnomer
misadventure for a slow, old horse.)misanthrope (hater of mankind) misogamist (hates marriage)
misapplicationmisapply misplacemisapprehend (misunderstand) misprint
misbegotten (gotten unlawfully) mispronouncemisbehave misrulemisbelieve misspellmisbrand misspentmiscall mistakeMiscarriage misstepmiscarry mistrust
miscastmiscegenation (intermarriage) misunderstandmiscellaneous mislaymischance misuse
mischiefmischievousmisconceivemisconductmisconstruemiscuemisdatemisdealmisdeedmisdemeanormisdirectmisdoermisdoingmisdoubtmisemploymiserablemisfeasancemisfiremisfitmisfortunemisguidemisgive/ misgivingsmisgovernmishandlemishapmisinformmisjudge mislay
Tangible-adj. capable of being seen or felt
• I need tangible proof of your love.
Refute-v. prove wrong using evidence
• He tried to refute the answer by showing a different approach to the math problem.
• Re means again
• Repeat, rebound
Invariably- always
• Invariably, Serena offers to pass out papers.
• Invariably, my dog barks when he hears a motorcycle.
• “You always leave your clothes on the floor.”
Regression n. return to an earlier or less advanced condition
• re - again• reassure• rebate• rebel• react• reassert• rebirth• receive• recall • recommence• recollect• reconsider• recovery• recoup• redirect• recur• refrain• regain• reheat• reissue• rehash• rematch• remarry• replicate• repay• reorder• reschedule• restart• reschedule• retake• return• review• reverse• rebound• rewire• redress• rework• resurface
recurrefrainregainreheatreissuerehashrematchremarryreplicaterepayreorderreschedulerestartrescheduleretakereturnreviewreversereboundrewireredressreworkresurface
Verified- v. confirmed
• Confirmed
• Trust but verify- Ronald Reagan
Obscure- v. hide
Deterioration- n. used as adj. worsening; decline
• My friend was feeling better, so they released her from the hospital; unfortunately. her health deteriorated and she was readmitted.
Hypothesis n. theory to be proved
• Ms. Verge’s hypothesis proved true.
Introspective- adj. looking inward
• People who keep a diary or a journal tend to be introspective.
• Intro- inside
• Spect- to look
Progress report March 5, 1965
List 5 things you know about Charlie
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Progress report March 5, 1965
List 5 things you know about Charlie
1. Charlie Gordon
2. Age 37
3. He wants to be smart
4. He doesn’t seem smart because of spelling and simple sentences;choppy
5. Birthday- two weeks ago
Exposition- beginning
March 5, 1965
• “My name is Charlie Gordon. I am 37 years old and two weeks ago was my birthday”(23).
• What can you infer about Charlie?
March 6 Progress report #2
• Concrete vs. abstract thought
• Roschach Test tests your imagination.
Rorschach Test (inkblot test)
• Progress Report 2
• The first time Charlie takes the Rorschach test, he has no imagination and he is afraid to fail. No abstract thoughts.
What do you see?
Why does he have a rabbit’s foot?
What can you infer?
• For example, Charlie quits his job after 840 people sign a petition to have him
• fired. He wonders, “What did I do to make them hate me so?”(38).
What can you infer?
• He sid Ernie for godsake what are your trying to be a Charlie Gordon. I don’t understand why he said that. I never lost any packages”
• (29)
• “Everybody laffed and we had a good time and they gave me lots of drinks and Joe said Charlie is a card when hes potted”(30).
Add commentary
• “I never knew that Joe and Frank and the others liked to have me around all the time to make fun of me” (34).
Dr Nemur
Age 60Publish NOW!Not a geniusDoes not know Chinese or HindustaniWants fame and to publish nowMy experimentMy researchOpportunistShrew of a wifeWants to be Chair of Psychology at PrincetonUncomfortable around Charlie, inferiority complex.
• Dr. Strauss
• age 50
• Wait to publish
• genius yet limited
• only speaks 3 ancient languages Latin,Greek, Hebrew
• wait to publish
• He found Charlie
• His technique,
• He performed the operation
Theme-universal and timelss
• The deeper meaning is called theme.• What the writer believes about life• How do I find theme?• Look at title• See how the characters change (dynamic vs.
static)• See the big moments. What relevations about
life are suggested.• See the resolution• Write theme in a full sentence.