Flowers for Algernon Chapters 1-8

How is the novel written?First person

Describe the main character?Charlie Gordon32 years oldMentally challengedWorks at a bakeryHas been selected to undergo an experiment

to raise intelligence

2a. List five possible struggles he may face as a retarded adult.DiscriminationPityLack of identityBeing too trustworthyBeing taken advantage of

2b. Describe how you would feel if your sibling were in the same position as Charlie.

SadJealousAngry

2c. Infer three reasons why Charlie’s family is visibly absent.They are deadThey don’t want anything to do with CharlieThey don’t know where he is

What kind of test did Burt give Charlie? What was the result?Rorschach TestHe only saw spilled ink

Describe Miss Kinnian.Charlie’s teacherKindSupportive of Charlie and his surgery

4a. What did Miss Kinnian tell the doctors about Charlie?He is the best student to participate in the

study because he is the most motivated

4b. What does what Miss Kinnian tell the doctors reveal about her and Charlie’s relationship?She believes in him

What happened when Charlie was given the Thematic Apperception Test?He thinks that he is lying when he creates

stories

Who is Algernon?A mouse who has undergone the same

operation

6a. Describe Charlie’s first meeting with Algernon.Charlie and Algernon race Charlie is surprised that mice are so smartHe isn’t mad that Algernon beats him

because he thinks he can learn from him

6b. Predict how Algernon and Charlie’s relationship will evolve? What might put a strain on their relationship?They might become friends because they are

in similar situationsCharlie might be jealous of AlgernonCompetitiveness might put a strain on their

relationship

What was Professor Nemur worried about with regard to the operation?The long term effects

Why did Charlie want to be smart?He wanted to read and write for his mom

8a. What might be some of the downfalls of going from being mentally retarded to being genius?Isolation – mental and emotional

Who is Mr. Donner?Charlie’s boss

9a. What is Mr. Donner’s relationship with Charlie?He was friends with Charlie’s uncle and

promised to take care of him

How long after the surgery was it when Charlie started to see results? What were they?A few days and he corrects his own grammatical

mistakes

THE BIG QUESTION: How and why might Charlie’s truth change regarding Algernon as he gets smarter?He might see him as competition as opposed

to a friend