After my class read this book in high school, we wrote the author and he responded. How often does that happen in today’s schools?
Flowers for Algernon (1965) [pdf]
51–60 of 272 posts
Re: Flowers for Algernon (1965) [pdf]
#52This story is part of the reason I'd never want to know about where I land intelligence wise compared to other people. No matter the outcome, I don't think it could be good. I it's below average, I'll feel limited. If it's above average, I'll have added pressure of self expectations and maybe arrogance. That's not the case for everyone, but I'm happy where I am currently. Back to the story - the use of grammar and sp…
I discovered that intelligence is like height. It helps with the ability to reach but effort matters more. I was lazy for twenty years and put effort behind the wrong energy.
If I understood risk, consistent effort, and emotions better, I would have retired in my mid twenties.
Re: Flowers for Algernon (1965) [pdf]
#53The movie "Charly" made from this book is good, and it's on youtube.
Re: Flowers for Algernon (1965) [pdf]
#54Great 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.
It's a story that is a classical part of education for most adults who have gone through it (US-focused). Perhaps you didn't read it. If your education journey was in another locale, are there any stories that stick with you that strike a similar contemplation, of the hubris of man and the untamed heart?
The Terminal Man by Michael Crichton
Re: Flowers for Algernon (1965) [pdf]
#55Earlier quoted context omitted.
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
> the regular mental decline of the average person of every person
I don't think that's true at all. Most people die before they fall to the level of intelligence the character does near the end of the novel. Even many 90-year olds are still fairly lucid.
Re: Flowers for Algernon (1965) [pdf]
#56I love this story. It's a lot more humble and nuanced than the similar one by Ted Chiang called "Understand".
Re: Flowers for Algernon (1965) [pdf]
#57Earlier quoted context omitted.
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 meani…
Pretty sure that was the joke, engineering robot-person.
What makes you think they are joking?
Re: Flowers for Algernon (1965) [pdf]
#58Earlier quoted context omitted.
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
> the regular mental decline of the average person of every person
...if they live long enough.
(Pedantically, that decline may take less than 15 seconds.)
Re: Flowers for Algernon (1965) [pdf]
#59I just finished this book. I felt the author could have done more with Charlies genius stage. Not sure why, that part just felt flat somehow. The rising and the subsequent decline stages were really gripping though. Like he was describing the thought process of a surprised friendly dog. Id give it 4/5. Really good story.
You might like Camp Concentration by Thomas M. Disch. Similar sort of premise but goes further.
Re: Flowers for Algernon (1965) [pdf]
#60After my class read this book in high school, we wrote the author and he responded. How often does that happen in today’s schools?
Writing the author or the author responding?