"Charlie did not understand what they were saying, but now it hurts. If I could reach out into the past of my memories, I would make her see how much she was hurting me."
"P.S. please if you get a chanse put some flowrs on Algernon's grave in the bak yard."
Charlie Gordon at 32 has an IQ of 68. He works at a bakery that has been secured for him so he does not have to stay at the Warren State Home. At the school where he attends reading and writing classes, he is attracted to his teacher, Alice Kinian. Because he wants so much to learn, he volunteers himself to be a test subject for a surgical procedure that would increase his intelligence. The researchers has previously tested the surgery on a mouse named Algernon which led to the mouse's improved mental performance. The operation on Charlie is a success, his IQ reaches 185. However, because of his intelligence, his relationship with people deteriorates. He soon discovers that there is a flaw in the procedure that was performed on him in that his intelligence reverts to his original mental state. It has already happened to Algernon the mouse who eventually dies. As Charlie's intelligence regresses, he decides to stay at the Warren State Home. All that he requests is for someone to put flowers on Algernon's grave.
-o0o-
the first time i read this book, i didn't go beyond the 10th page. the style of writing that the author employed was the 'epistolary' or series of letters, in this story, the progress reports that were required of Charlie Gordon. it was difficult for me to read a sentence not correctly constructed or out of syntax, as well as the absence of punctuation and the oh! heavens, the spelling mistakes! then when i was already working, part of my job was to accompany our legal and tax people in inspecting applicants for tax exemption. one of those applicants was a foundation dedicated to looking after what we then called 'retarded' children. i saw a beautiful child, alone in a room, just staring at the wall; a teenager who ran to me and said "mommy, i won't do it again!' and started to cry; another was in a straight jacket, his mouth gagged because he kept screaming; and many more unpleasant situations. i cried as i was taking notes.
most of those children though were from well-off families and they were "hidden" there; the rich tended to inter-marry to keep the money within the family and some of the residents were the product of their in-breeding.
when i re-read 'flowers for algernon' i had a better appreciation for the character charlie and the book's theme and message. caution: this book will make you cry.
What a story you told, so very sad, but so real. A beautiful picture. I hope those people you came into contact with experience beauty in their lives in some way or another.
@deens - thank you so much, nadine. most of those people probably would not know normal life, they would have grown up only physically but their minds remain in the child world, they would have only child-size problems and they probably won't even know or realize it. in that way, they are luckier than us.
@steeler - awww, that's very flattering, howard. thank you so much.
Wonderful photo of the beautiful calla lilies.......and I know this book. Read it years ago and it made me cry even then -- more now. I work with the dept of special education -- work with incredible people who have spent their life helping these special children, even have a niece who is a Downs Syndrome child (she is with her family, very loved and very cared for!) The stories I could tell you....! Wonderful photo and story!! Thank you!!
@cscecil - thank you, CS. if i was 'brave' enough, i would have worked i the field. but, despite my outspokeness and fiestiness, i am a softie when it comes to people with special needs, especially children.
Another one I read with my mom...when I was in Jr. high I think. Long ago! I love the "depict a novel a day" in your photos! Wow. Maybe I'll do that one day. I read some good ones this summer! And mentioned them both in my project...probably in June and maybe early July....Les Miserable and Notre Dame de Paris. :0) Loved them!
@danig - yup, that bridge camera takes good pics. but it's giving me advance dates. well, i suppose we can pretend i'm time travelling again. general loveliness eh? thanks, DG.
the lines and curves of the flowers are wonderful...a sort of visual poetry, which is both a contrast and a complement to the writing in the novel and a lovely illustration for the title
September 18th, 2011
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@deens - thank you so much, nadine. most of those people probably would not know normal life, they would have grown up only physically but their minds remain in the child world, they would have only child-size problems and they probably won't even know or realize it. in that way, they are luckier than us.
@steeler - awww, that's very flattering, howard. thank you so much.
@jannkc - thanks so much, jann.