Symbols and Motifs in Flowers for Algernon
You can find this storyboard in the following articles and resources:
Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes
Lesson Plans by Kristy Littlehale
Flowers for Algernon is a touching story about a man named Charlie, chosen for an experiment that offers him the opportunity to become “smart”, his deepest wish in life. The novel brings up several important themes and questions, including the ethics of human experimentation, the mistreatment of the mentally disabled in society, and the relationship between intellect and human interactions.
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Storyboard Description
Flowers for Algernon themes Symbols and Motifs
Storyboard Text
- EXAMPLE
- ALGERNON
- THE OTHER CHARLIE
- INKBLOTS (RORSCHACH)
- FLOWERS
- ALGERNON
- Algernon represents the intelligence that Charlie is striving for, along with the loss of that hope as he regresses. Charlie feels trapped like Algernon because neither of them are viewed as individuals, just part of the experiment.
- The Other Charlie represents New Charlie's hesitation and fear of emotional attachments. He represents New Charlie's attempts to reconcile his new-found intelligence and superiority with his former naivete and humility.
- The inkblots first represent failure for Charlie, and later his first sense of inner self-awareness. He questions why anyone would make up lies for a test. Towards the end, it represents Charlie's final participation in the experiment, and his refusal to be a science project any more.
- The flowers represent Charlie's wish for him and Algernon to be remembered, Even though the experiment will be deemed a failure, for Charlie and Algernon, it was a unique and special experience, which in Charlie's mind makes it a success.
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