Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes

Study Notes

The novel is written by Daniel Keyes and features a protagonist named Charlie Gordon, a man with a low intelligence quotient (IQ) of 68.
Charlie undergoes an operation to increase his intelligence exponentially and records his experiences, feelings, and thoughts in progress reports.

Charlie takes a Rorschach test, which measures a person's personality linked to intelligence, but is unable to see pictures in the inkblots.
Initially, Charlie lacks imagination and interprets concepts literally, as seen in his response to the Rorschach test.
Charlie's first-person perspective provides insight into his thoughts and feelings.

After the operation, Charlie becomes more aware of the true dynamics between himself and others, realizing that his friends were laughing at him, not with him.
Charlie's post-surgery increase in IQ allows him to understand the true nature of his friendships.
The novel raises questions about whether it's better to be aware or unaware of how others perceive you.

Charlie's increased intelligence makes him feel isolated and superior to others, leading to social awkwardness.
The workers at Donner's Bakery sign a petition asking Charlie to leave his job because he makes others feel uncomfortable.
Charlie emphasizes his feelings of isolation as he begins to regress to his original IQ level, stating that he's the only person in the world who can describe what's happening to his mind.
The novel explores the theme of isolation as a result of increased intelligence and awareness.