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Literature Circle Questions
  (Question 1) 
     The book, Flowers for Alergnon by Daniel Keyes takes place in Charlie's apartment, the special school he goes to, and the bakery he works at. From the information in the story, it is close to modern time. In the beginning, we are introduced to a man named Charlie, who has neural retardation. He works at a family friends' bakery and goes to a special school where he befriends a teacher named Alice Kinnian.

(Question 2)
    Character Description: When we are first introduced to a kind-hearted Charlie Gordon, we see a mentally retarded man who doesn't understand how cruel the world can be, especially when we see the flashbacks he has of his childhood. After he has the operation, he starts spelling correctly and uses larger words (around page 28). Charlie begins to see how he is and was treated through a whole new perspective.  For example: he developes strong emotions when the Doctor refers to him as a mere experiment; not a human being before the operation. So much change has occurred in him (mostly mentally) in such a short amount of time. We are only half way through the book, and I am interested in seeing how he changes in the future.

(Question 3)
    Quote:   "...because he doesn't realize that finding out who I really am---the meaning of my total existence involves knowing the possibilities of my future as well as my past, where I'm going as well as where I've been. Although we know the end of the maze holds death (and it is something I have not always known---not long ago the adolescent in me thought death could happen only to other people), I see now  that the path I choose through that maze makes me what I am. I am not only a thing, but also a way of being---one of many ways---and knowing the paths I have followed and the ones left to take will help me understand what I am becoming." Charlie p. 153-154

     In my eyes, this is a powerful quote because it tells us that we wouldn't be the people we are today if it weren't for our past. The choices we make define us good or bad. He sees that we can't just know who we are. As people, we aren't one color, but many shades of inbetween. If we did not experience a past or live a present, how on earth would you be able to define yourself? In a perfect world, we would be able to choose who we are, or what we will be. But if that happened, how would we know perfect if there's no blemish to compare to? As present becomes the past, and the past becomes a memory, they form to building blocks that we use to stay sturdy. They are the structures we are dependent on when it comes to an identity crisis. How many times have you been asked, "Who are you?" In my opinion, such a broad question cannot just be answered in words, but through the memories of choices made that only we can see. It's amazing to see Charlie going through this thought process in the time frame of a few months, while with most people it can take their lives.

(Question 4) -
     In the book Flowers for Charly by Daniel Keyes, you are introduced to a mentally retarded man named Charlie Gordon whose bittersweet dream is to become smart like everybody else. As the story unfolds, you are introduced to Miss Alice Kinnian (his teacher), his co workers at a family friends' bakery, and the doctors that perform the operation on Charlie. The operation is the first tested on a human. Basically, it supposedly will make Charlie smart. However, as months go by, Charlie goes through three important changes: his grammar gets better, his outlook broadens, and his emotions grow.
     The signs of the first change is the improvement in Charlie's grammar and spelling. He goes from sentences like, "I am 32 yeres old and next munth is my brithday," to "Even as I try to get her out of my mind, the memories seep back from the past to contaminate the here and now." I liked how Daniel Keyes let us see the changes in the writing and read between the lines before the words were actually written. I think it gives readers the chance to put it in their own perspectives and use their imagination before it is spoon-fed to them.
     Another large change is Charlie's outlook on the world. Before he began gaining his intelligence, that was the only thing he wanted. But as his mental horizon broadened, he saw all of the possibilities the world offered. This also changed his attitude towards other people. He has particular frustrations with one of the scientists experimenting on him (Nemur) because he does not think Charlie was a human being before the operation, and blatantly called him one of "natures mistakes". Nemur stated, "When Charlie came to us he was outside of society, alone in a great city without friends or relatives to care about him, without the mental equipment to live a normal life. No past, no contact with the present, no hope for the future. It might be said that Charlie Gordon did not really exist before this experiment..." I completely see where Charlie's anger comes from. If someone told me I did not exist, retarded or not, I would be greatly offended. Charlie has been through a lot, and because of that he comes in touch with his emotions extremely often.
    As a matter-of-fact, I think Charlie's emotions are what's changed the most. You can see this clearly when he states, "...I see now that the path I choose through that maze makes me what I am. I am not only a thing, but also a way of being..." To see someone go through the long process of identity in a matter of months blows me away. Everything comes at him so fast, because in many ways, he is still a boy trying to comprehend like everyone else; trying to be smart like everyone else.
     I suppose to some, Charlie's dream came true. However, the ending turned bitter, and Charlie Gordon ended up losing the intelligence he longed for. Through Daniel Keyes' style of writing, I liked the feeling that as Charlie's thoughts were read aloud, it was almost like you were there with him. Whenever I finished reading a chapter, I seemed to find myself reflecting on my life and outlook on the modern world where thousands of people are trying to find their identities, just like Charlie Gordon.

2 comments:

  1. Hey Emily! The settings kinda strange in my book its not a real place but its called opium its basically a sliver of mexico. hope that answers your question. :)

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