Charlie Gordon’s Age in Flowers for Algernon
Charlie Gordon, the protagonist of Daniel Keyes’s novel “Flowers for Algernon,” is initially described as a 32-year-old man with an IQ of 68 (Keves, n.d.). His lifelong struggle to enhance his intelligence stems from his mother’s obsession with his academic progress (CliffsNotes, n.d.). After his mother threatens to kill him due to the futility of his goal, Charlie’s father takes him to live with his Uncle Herman (CliffsNotes, n.d.).
Key Facts
- Charlie Gordon is a 32-year-old man with an IQ of 68.
- He has struggled his whole life to become smarter, which was also his mother’s obsession.
- Charlie’s father takes him to live with his Uncle Herman when his mother threatens to kill him due to the futility of his goal.
- After Uncle Herman’s death, Mr. Donner, a friend of Uncle Herman’s, promises to take care of Charlie for the rest of his life.
- Charlie enrolls in classes at the Beekman Center for Retarded Adults to learn to read and write.
- Miss Kinnian, a teacher at the center, recommends Charlie for experimental surgery conducted by a team of doctors from the psychology department at Beekman University.
- The surgery stimulates Charlie’s brain centers and increases his ability to learn, thereby increasing his intelligence.
- Over a nine-month period, Charlie keeps “progress reports” documenting his transformation.
- Charlie’s IQ eventually increases three-fold, bringing many revelations with it.
- Charlie’s mental regression is quick and painful after the experiment, and he chooses to move to the Warren State Home.
Upon Uncle Herman’s death, Mr. Donner, a close friend, assumes responsibility for Charlie’s well-being, ensuring his basic needs are met (CliffsNotes, n.d.). Charlie’s pursuit of knowledge leads him to enroll in classes at the Beekman Center for Retarded Adults, where he develops literacy skills (CliffsNotes, n.d.). His encounter with Miss Kinnian, a teacher at the center, proves pivotal as she recommends him for experimental surgery conducted by a team of doctors from Beekman University’s psychology department (CliffsNotes, n.d.).
The surgery aims to stimulate Charlie’s brain centers, enhancing his learning abilities and, consequently, his intelligence (CliffsNotes, n.d.). Over a nine-month period, Charlie meticulously documents his transformation through “progress reports” (CliffsNotes, n.d.). His IQ eventually triples, leading to numerous revelations (CliffsNotes, n.d.). However, Charlie’s mental regression following the experiment is rapid and distressing, prompting him to seek refuge at the Warren State Home (CliffsNotes, n.d.).
References
CliffsNotes. (n.d.). Charlie Gordon. Retrieved from https://www.cliffsnotes.com/literature/f/flowers-for-algernon/character-analysis/charlie-gordon
Keves, D. (n.d.). Flowers for Algernon: Charlie Gordon timeline. Retrieved from https://www.timetoast.com/timelines/flowers-for-algernon-charlie-gordon–3
FAQs
How old is Charlie Gordon at the beginning of the novel?
Charlie Gordon is 32 years old at the beginning of the novel.
How old does Charlie Gordon appear to be after the surgery?
After the surgery, Charlie Gordon’s mental age increases rapidly, and he appears to be much younger than his chronological age.
How old is Charlie Gordon when he begins to regress?
Charlie Gordon begins to regress mentally when he is about 33 years old.
How old is Charlie Gordon when he dies?
Charlie Gordon’s age at the time of his death is not explicitly stated in the novel, but it is implied that he is still relatively young, possibly in his early 30s.
What factors contribute to Charlie Gordon’s perceived age?
Charlie Gordon’s perceived age is influenced by a combination of factors, including his chronological age, his mental age, and his physical appearance.
How does Charlie Gordon’s age affect his experiences in the novel?
Charlie Gordon’s age affects his experiences in the novel in several ways. His initial low intelligence makes him the subject of ridicule and discrimination, but his increased intelligence after the surgery allows him to experience life in a new way. However, his eventual regression is particularly poignant because it occurs at a time when he is still relatively young.
What is the significance of Charlie Gordon’s age in the novel?
Charlie Gordon’s age is significant in the novel because it highlights the themes of identity, intelligence, and the human condition. His journey from a man with low intelligence to a genius and back again raises questions about what it means to be human and how we define intelligence.
How does Charlie Gordon’s age compare to the ages of other characters in the novel?
Charlie Gordon is one of the youngest characters in the novel. Most of the other characters, such as Miss Kinnian, Dr. Strauss, and Mr. Nemur, are older and more established in their careers.