Flowers for Algernon Themes

In "Flowers for Algernon", Charlie discovers that the benefits of the operation will be temporary by observing

• the reactions of the doctors.

• the growing coldness of Miss Kinnian.

• the behavior of Algernon.

• his feet.

Who is Miss Kinnian?

• Miss Kinnian is Charlie's co-worker.

• Miss Kinnian is Charlie's landlady.

• Miss Kinnian is Charlie's teacher.

• Miss Kinnian is Charlie's nurse.

What conclusion about Charlie is most clearly supported by this excerpt from the first section of "Flowers for Algernon"?

• He cannot control his temper.

• He has below-average intelligence.

• He sees and hears things that are not there.

• He cannot hold down a job and support himself.

In “Flowers for Algernon,” what is the main reason that Charlie wants to increase his intelligence?

• He is very competitive and wants to beat Algernon when they are tested.

• He knows that he is different and wants to be more like other people.

• He wants to please Miss Kinnian and is afraid he will disappoint her.

• He is a lonely person with no close friends or social life.

In “Flowers for Algernon,” which of these themes are best supported by the allusion that the character named Fanny makes to the biblical story of Eve and the tree of knowledge in the entry for April 30? Choose two options.

• It is wrong to want something that you don’t already have.

• Nature is a source of spiritual comfort to human beings.

• People should not try to change what God has created.

• Change can be unexpectedly frightening.

• Knowledge can be very powerful.

In "Flowers for Algernon," why do the doctors use Charlie in their experiment? (March 8)

• Charlie has bonded with Algernon.

• Charlie is motivated to try to learn.

• Charlie can get a better job if his skills improve.

• Charlie is the only person who is willing to participate.

In "Flowers for Algernon," why do Charlie's fellow workers want him fired? (April 30)

• They become jealous of Charlie's good fortune.

• They think that Charlie has begun lying and stealing.

• They become frightened by Charlie and distrustful of his new intelligence.

• They resent Charlie for damaging the factory and making their jobs harder.

In "Flowers for Algernon," what is one aspect of the text that shows Charlie is returning to his old condition? (July 7)

• He learns German.

• He says he hates Algernon.

• He starts to spell badly again.

• He asks Miss Kinnian to dinner.

Which phrase best describes Charlie at the end of "Flowers for Algernon"? (July 28)

• sad but hopeful

• relieved but bitter

• angry and threatening

• proud and conceited

Choose the conclusion a reader can most accurately draw from this excerpt from "Flowers for Algernon."

They called the mouse Algernon. Algernon was in a box with a lot of twists and turns like all kinds of walls and they gave me a pencil and a paper with lines and lots of boxes. On one side it said START and on the other side it said FINISH. They said it was amazed and that Algernon and me had the same amazed to do. I dint see how we could have the same amazed if Algernon had a box and I had a paper but I dint say nothing.

• The doctors find Charlie amazing.

• Charlie finds Algernon amazing.

• Algernon is running in a maze.

• Algernon is able to read.