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Flowers for Algernon (1965) [pdf]

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Re: Flowers for Algernon (1965) [pdf]

#21

Post by myth2018 »

techwizrd wrote: post #16
sorokod wrote: post #2

I remember reading the story for the first time and my feelings of pity and horror when the protagonist's decline began. With lifespans increasing, many of us will have Charlie's experience.

We read this aloud together in grade school. I skipped ahead and thoroughly regretted it. The class was still in the hopeful portion, and I had to watch them come to the same realization I did. When you're that young, you're used to the idea that you will constantly learn, grow, and expand your horizons. The idea of regression is both real and likely is frightening and motivating. It's truly a story that has stuck wi…

That's an interesting insight. I didn't notice that Charlie's trajectory also works as an allegory for the regular mental decline of the average person

Re: Flowers for Algernon (1965) [pdf]

#22

Post by arethuza »

WJW wrote: post #14
roshin wrote: post #11

Great story, but terrible title. I'm not sure exactly what the point of a title is, but if it's to inform about what the story is, or entice, it does neither.

Many fictional titles explain very little if you have not already read the work. Take "lord of the rings" for example, or "Anna Karenina", or even "the Bible". "Flowers for Algernon" is a fine, memorable title that makes sense in the context of what the story is about.

I consulted an AI to see if it could recommend a better title for "Lord of the Rings" - and (I am not making this up) it suggested "Ringworld"....

Re: Flowers for Algernon (1965) [pdf]

#24

Post by n4r9 »

marliechiller wrote: post #18
xkbarkar wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

[flagged]

Can you explain why you think that way? Long covid gives people varying degrees of brainfog and debilitation ranging from simple forgetfulness all the way to being bed bound and needing round the clock care. It seems quite apt to me

The situations are almost entirely unrelated. COVID is a virus that unintentionally spread and in rare cases causes an ongoing reduction in capacity from one's baseline. FfA has a surgical technique which is applied to single person to raise them above their baseline, and then gradually they fall back to their pre-exisitng baseline. Seems like OP was using a tenuous parallel to score some cheap political or perhaps conspiratorial point.

Re: Flowers for Algernon (1965) [pdf]

#25

Post by mangamadaiyan »

arethuza wrote: post #22
WJW wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Many fictional titles explain very little if you have not already read the work. Take "lord of the rings" for example, or "Anna Karenina", or even "the Bible". "Flowers for Algernon" is a fine, memorable title that makes sense in the context of what the story is about.

I consulted an AI to see if it could recommend a better title for "Lord of the Rings" - and (I am not making this up) it suggested "Ringworld"....

Do I hear the librarian going "Ook"? Sir Terry must be turning in his grave.

Edit: Note -- I confused Ringworld with Discworld, as pointed out by rowyourboat below.

Re: Flowers for Algernon (1965) [pdf]

#27

Post by vouaobrasil »

sorokod wrote: post #2

I remember reading the story for the first time and my feelings of pity and horror when the protagonist's decline began. With lifespans increasing, many of us will have Charlie's experience.

Indeed. I wish I could have been born in a world where I could use my skills for survival in the forests and die younger but have a more fulfilling life. Modern technological society is a disappointment, even if I am more comfortable.

Re: Flowers for Algernon (1965) [pdf]

#29

Post by helboi4 »

roshin wrote: post #11

Great story, but terrible title. I'm not sure exactly what the point of a title is, but if it's to inform about what the story is, or entice, it does neither.

Engineering robot-person who cannot comprehend art with unquantifiable emotional value sneers, self-righteously at critically acclaimed art. He knows better because he knows calculus AND he organised his pens in chronological order of their manufacture date this morning. The electric feeling of restrained satisfaction had prickled across all the cropped hairs of his protruding neck. Everything must have logical meaning, he says. His wife peels away from him laboriously like the protective film he never takes off electrical products. I'm going to sleep, she says.

Re: Flowers for Algernon (1965) [pdf]

#30

Post by api »

A friend of mine brought this book up when she finally went on ADD medication. At first she was like "wow, I can function!" Then she remembered reading this story and says she always fears the medication no longer working.

A classic, and increasingly relevant as we continue to push the limits of improving human performance and fixing sub-optimal neurological phenomena like depression and ADD/ADHD.

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