Themes and message

The main themes of the short story “Flowers for Algernon” by Daniel Keyes are the treatment of disabled persons and intellect and feelings. These themes are further enhanced through motifs like love, friendship, loneliness and scientific experiments. The story can be read as both a critique and a cautionary tale. It is a critique because the author shows the way people have a tendency to take advantage of those intellectually challenged, simply because they can. It is a cautionary tale because it shows that scientific experiments and the advance of science may have serious consequences for the subjects, and may do more harm than good.

Treatment of disabled persons

Throughout the whole story, the narrator conveys several perspectives and attitudes to disabled persons, which form the social setting and the main theme of the short story.

When he is ignorant and mentally disabled, Charlie is mistreated by most of the people around him. His colleagues play pranks on him, and a police officer even beats him up when he finds him drunk on the streets. These people seem to think that it is normal to mistreat one as long as that person is not aware of it.

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Intellect and Feelings

The theme of intellect and feelings is mostly explored through Charlie. When he is disabled, Charlie seems unaware of most of his emotions and is unable to grasp them really. His joy and anger are simple and fleeting.

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