Review: Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes

I have recently finished reading Flowers for Algernon, by Daniel Keyes. First of all I have been interested in reading this book for some time, but it was my mistake to assume that it was a short story. I actually came about it when looking to find books to read for my book club. I walked by it and was immediately drawn to it. I told myself not to read it till I finished one of the books I had stopped in the middle of, but instead it called to me. I appreciate that I didn't listen to the inner mother in me and read it any way. I am glad that I did because I had a great experience. I cried at the end of the story. I haven't done that in a long time. This story touched me deeply to my soul, that I can't stop myself from writing about it. I have so many thoughts on the book that I'm actually going to write an essay later, to explain some of the themes that I noticed in the book, well in my own opinion.

This story is sad in general. I mean I felt pretty sorry for the main character but in some way at the same time, I could identify with him. I also realize that we take for granted some things that we think are easy, but might really be hard for someone else. He at least was determined to learn and do things and was encouraged. I think if we encouraged those who are mentally, emotionally, and physically challenged to do things that people think they can't do it would be a great thing. I mean he was determined to read and write even though he forgot things and maybe he wasn't the best at it, but he wanted to do it. Pure desire is what we lack weather we are challenged or not. He desired to learn and he didn't care what others thought. He wanted it so bad he could taste it. I have recently realized that I lack desire in my life and I felt a bit jealous of Charlie, since he didn't let anything stop him from attaining what he wanted. He didn't care he just had the pure sense of getting what he desired. I want to feel like that again. Not feel stuck, or unable to get what I truly desire.

It's kind of interesting how he changed and how he became. It's like he took on someone else for the story. He was a new person trying new things, being what he wanted to be, but at the same the old Charlie was back there watching through the eyes that were still clouded and closed. The new Charlie was growing becoming someone he had always wanted to be, but at a price. With knowledge comes great power, and a great mind usually finds out the truth and tries to run from it. Charlie found out a lot of the things he had been blind to, when he gained knowledge. It was like in the bible when Adam and Eve ate the apple. They became aware. The same goes for Charlie he became aware of his life and his situation. He realized that he was a joke to people he thought were his friends, and when he changed for the better in his mind, then he saw the truth for what it was. He didn't enjoy being a joke because he was a human being and that's all that matters. I agree there he was always a human being and just because he was slow or unable to comprehend or control himself, didn't make him any less human than anyone else. We often treat others who are different from us as less than us and that's not right at all. We are all human, and you often have to remember that sometimes in the end we all end up the same. His friends resented him for being brighter than them, he made them look good when he wasn't a genius, now he excelled and they couldn't handle that. He had feelings he never felt before and memories. I often think about how sometimes we shut things up in the dark, we hide our memories because they didn't feel good or because we think it's a bad dream. True he might not have been able to remember them on his own, but it might have been so traumatic, that he might have shut it away just like anyone else. I have done things like that, that when it comes back I wish it hadn't because it made me uncomfortable, but it's not good to stay in the dark. You need light in order to know what to do and how to make yourself stronger.

Dark and light is very strong in this book, which I will elaborate more thoroughly in an essay. Dark is where we hide when we want to be safe, when we hide things so others can't see. Light is always there trying to peep in all the time. We can't always keep our facade up. Eventually after all of the lies and stories, we get them all mixed up and get caught. Sometimes, as in Charlie's case, alcohol or some mind altering drug brings out the real you. The light seeps into the darkness you create, making you have to let it in and let it show you the way out. You can't live in darkness forever; you can't let it consume you. You can't ignore what's going on around you because when you finally pay attention what you thought was true won't be true and you will have more of a shock that way. You probably will want to go back there and be safe, but it's better to realize that you can't be safe ignoring things. We shouldn't live in disbelief that things won't happen to us, being that way makes you take things a lot harder than you should. Sometimes it's best at times to think about the worst that could happen. I know that it's kind of sad, but if you know the worst about something and expect the worst than you won't be in shock when something horrible happens. I'm not saying you should be paranoid, but realize that good things do happen, but sometimes its best to think about the worst case scenario, in other words see the light and the dark, the good and the bad.

Well in conclusion this was a great story and I really learned some great powerful things from it. I want to always stay in the light and not venture back into the darkness. I want to embrace my past so that I can use it currently and in the future. I will always remember this book and try to be like Charlie no matter which one he is.