Flowers for Algernon is a heart-wrenching work of psychological fiction by author Daniel Keyes. The novel follows the journey of a mentally disabled man named Charlie Gordon who is chosen to undergo an experimental surgical procedure to increase his intelligence. The experiment had previously been tested on a mouse named Algernon who shows remarkable improvement in intelligence after the procedure. Keyes presents the novel in the form of progress reports written by Charlie, giving unique insights into the emotional and psychological changes he undergoes as his intelligence increases. Though published in 1966, the novel has just as much relevance today as it did then, if not more. I won’t disclose further plot details of the book for fear of spoiling future readers’ enjoyment; however, I would like to offer my review. I hope readers will find my thoughts compelling enough to pick up the book themselves.
In my opinion, Flowers for Algernon is nothing, if not a scathing indictment of intelligence as a metric for human value. Instead, Keyes seems to advocate for empathy as a more suitable metric, suggesting that our assumptions about intelligence are incorrect—bordering on inhumane. Keyes questions the worth we place on acquiring intelligence and the prestige we ascribe to those who do so better and more quickly than others. Intelligence and empathy are in constant struggle with one another throughout the novel, waging a war on two fronts: inside Charlie’s mind and in his environment.
As Charlie’s intelligence increases, he becomes more aware of the ways in which he was mistreated and ridiculed by those around him because of his disability. This internal struggle is the centerpiece of the story. As his intelligence grows, he finds it increasingly difficult to connect with others on an emotional level, and his relationships with his friends and co-workers become strained. Charlie realizes that he is losing touch with his own emotional needs and desires, and he is unable to understand the emotions and motivations of those around him. Charlie’s transformation highlights the importance of emotional intelligence and empathy in human relationships. This internal struggle leads Charlie to question the ethics of the experiment that transforms him into a genius. He comes to contemplate the nature of human intelligence.
While Charlie’s internal struggle serves to illustrate the necessity of empathy as a critical component for self-actualization, his friends, enemies and mentors demonstrate how empathy and intelligence are neither correlated nor dependent on one another. Charlie is surrounded by a variety of people. Some of his doctors are empathetic and patient, while others are vindictive and hurtful. Some of his less-intelligent friends are supportive and dependable, though others are hateful and laugh at his expense. There is no one-to-one correlation between intelligence and empathy. Keyes uses this variety of characters to demonstrate how one can show empathy regardless of one’s intelligence, and that being smart has nothing to do with one’s emotional competency.
As Keyes continues to contrast intelligence with empathy, intelligence begins to take on a degree of absurdity. The reader begins to question whether it is even valuable at all. It’s not questioning whether intelligence is worthless; rather, whether it is not the most valuable characteristic one can attain as a human being—whether it is not a requisite for being a human being. This message is a sobering reminder of why we, as students, strive for intelligence and how we ought to behave toward our fellow humans. It underscores the importance of empathy in human relationships and highlights the limitations of purely intellectual pursuits. The novel’s exploration of intelligence and empathy serves as a potent reminder that true intelligence requires a balance of cognitive and emotional intelligence. That empathy is essential for meaningful human connections. I strongly encourage you to read Flowers for Algernon. It is a short, compelling read, and the message of empathy and humanity is invaluable.
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