After years of constantly being told that his natural human reactions were wrong and being threatened for having certain thoughts, Charlie was very afraid of the provocative thoughts that would naturally occur in his mind. He recalls Rose screaming, "If you ever touch a girl, I'll put you away in a cage, like an animal, for the rest of your life" (112). The harassment Charlie received from the female leads in his life, both verbally and physically, stuck with him throughout the rest of his life, even into his more intellectual self, and affected his relations with other females in his adulthood.
At the peak of his intelligence, Charlie was so distanced from his emotions that he referred to his previous retarded self as a completely different person. Although his level of intellect left him feeling superhuman, the rejection of his natural human desires and fantasies actually stripped him from humanity. An ominous cloud stood over Charlie's head anytime he felt any sexual sensation. The ominous cloud however, was himself. "I wanted to be in love with her. I wanted to overcome my emotional and sexual fears, to marry, have children, settle down"; dreams that were harder to reach due to the emotional scars left from Charlie's childhood (126). Pursuing a sexual relationship with Alice only brought panic to Charlie. Still a child, yet in a man's body, it was difficult to maintain any relationship with Alice. Charlie also kept Alice on a pedestal, this only put more stress on any fantasy he felt towards his previous teacher. So twisted, yet perfect in every way. 'My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy', a brilliant curation of words that Kanye West named his fifth album, yet also a perfect representation of Charlie Gordon's dilemma from childhood to adulthood.
4 Comments
ENDING ONE: PROGRIS REPORT 17- Alice came ovur with sum more of her stuff today. I'm so happy that we got married, even thogh Nemur said I not going to be smart ever again being with Alice still make me happy. I know she will take care of me but she doesnt make me feel stoopid. I got my job back at the bakery! The boys like me again I think they got mad at genius me. Dr. Strauss made me look at the black pictures I dont understand they are just black why have they not stoped trying to trik me. They said they wont give me no more tests thogh since Algernon cant do no more mazes and the experiment failed. There is a chance that I could get even stoopider than befor but Alice teaches me, just me and her, everyday when she gets home. Hopefully I can still be able to read and rite. ENDING TWO: PROGRESS REPORT 17- "It's an absolute medical miracle!!!", that's pretty much all I've been hearing since the conference with Strauss and Nemur. You sure do become the center of many conversations once your IQ has gone up almost 100 points in a matter of months. I've been promoted from a mere lab rat to a functioning part of the lab now, after all, my IQ is higher than any scientist there. Strauss and Nemur and the other scientists I work with are pretty much my only friends now, it doesn't matter there never seems to be any time for recreation anyways. I haven't heard from Alice since she moved, I do wish our parting was more sincere and heartfelt but she simply could not bear my growing intelligence. Yes, understandable, yet also contradictory. I could never be the man she wanted me to be. Science is my partner in life now, it keeps my mind busy, away from dangerous roaming thoughts. I do still listen to what Nemur tells me because even if my knowledge does surpass his now, he was still the original curator of this experiment. He warns me not to let my mind drift, but if you want to hear my theory about it, I believe that he wants me distanced as much as possible from my emotions so I will perform the best in his lab. It's ok, I don't mind. After all, how many other geniuses in the world can say that they used to be retarded. ENDING THREE: PROGRESS REPORT 17-(POV of Alice) Algernon is the only thing I have left to remember Charlie by. Writing these progress reports still in his honor is getting more and more difficult. The whole science community has been shocked ever since news broke of Charlie's sudden heart attack resulting in his death, mainly because no one saw it coming. I still blame myself. How will I ever be able to live with myself knowing that it was my persistence on maintaining a romantic relationship with Charlie that would overpower him and send him into a state of panic. I think the saddest part of all is that no one has acknowledged his death as 'Charlie Gordon-the man that never hurt a fly and saw the best in others-is dead', all I see is 'Science experiment failed'. Reading Charlie's previous journals has made me feel more connected with him though. I never realized the struggles he was experiencing with his metamorphosis until I read them. The scientists completely dehumanized Charlie, but in a way only Charlie recognized, "You've boasted time and time again that I was nothing before the experiment, and I know why", my heart just aches for him (247). I've began packing my things to move away, every place I go in this city reminds me of Charlie. I need a fresh start. May 25 was a day highly focused on water. According to How to Read Literature like a Professor, rain is a very important literary tool that is used by authors to advance the plot and expand it.
Upon Charlie's arrival to Alice's apartment, she noticed that Charlie was dripping wet from his trip through the storm. In How to Read Literature like a Professor, Foster writes, "If you want a character to be cleansed, symbolically, let him walk through the rain to get somewhere." (71). Each of Charlie and Alice's encounters post-surgery end the the same way, in emotional turmoil. The 'cleansing' that happens before Alice and Charlie meet once again symbolizes another chance for love, another chance for passion. Although neither work out, Charlie's maintained purity is emphasized by the rain. Charlie also mentions frequent "nightmares of drowning" in the journal entry (109). According to Foster, "Drowning is our biggest fear" (70). It is obvious that the drowning Charlie keeps living through in these dreams is a reflection of the drowning out of everyone else in his real life. His increased intellect led to him being more alone than ever, drowning in his own thoughts yet with no one to speak them to. The speed at which Charlie develops is miraculous, and eventually disastrous, Alice describes it as he is being "forced off a diving raft" (110). Regardless of Charlie's brilliant IQ level and his age, he is still mentally a child. Children are in constant need of care and support, an obligation not fulfilled by Charlie's parents even at his young age. Therefore, when Charlie suddenly loses Mr. Donner and the bakery, he is torn apart from his one source of constant comfort. Just as the dandelions in my previous post bring out the comparison between curse and blessing, the mention of flowers in this journal entry reflect Charlie's growth. "It's raining. Good for the flowers", Charlies says on page 108. Flowers can not live without water and rain, just as Charlie can not live without those he lost. Yet rain is also necessary to grow, so which is more necessary in survival, the comfort of those you hold dear, or intellect to function independently. The song Same Drugs by Chance the Rapper greatly reflects the changes that occur in Charlie's life and his relationships throughout the novel, if taken from the point of view of Alice, Charlie's love.
|
Daniel KeyesThe author of eight books, was born in Brooklyn, New York, and received his B.A. and M.A. degrees from Brooklyn College. Professor emeritus at Ohio University, he lives in Boca Raton, Florida. |