Flowers for Algernon Themes

What can you infer from the details about Charlie at the start of "Flowers for Algernon"?

• He has below-normal intelligence.

• He sees and hears things that are not there.

• He cannot control his temper.

• He cannot hold down a job and support himself

Why  do the doctors use Charlie in their experiment?

• They feel he is motivated to try to learn

• He is the only person willing to try it.

• They see that he has bonded with Algernon

• They know he needs a better job.

From the choices below, which one is NOT a positive quality of Charlie Gordon?

• eager to please

• motivated

• agreeable

• apathetic

Why do Charlie's fellow co-workers want Charlie fired?

• They think he is evil.

• They have become frightened by his bad temper.

• They think he is damaging the factory.

• They become jealous and wary of Charlie as he becomes smart.

Which of the following can we infer is the reason for Dr. Strauss requiring Charlie to keep a journal?

• To monitor if Charlie was being dishonest about his work hours.

• To monitor Charlie's progress through his words and thoughts.

• To closely watch his communication with people outside the hospital, including his mother and father.

• To secure Algernon's place in medical history.

What happens during Charlie's first inkblot test?

• He shows that he has a strong imagination.

• He shows that he has a violent temper

• He loses to Algernon

• He fails to see things in the ink

Before the operation, how does Charlie feel about it?

• He is terrified.

• He is happy and excited.

• He is angry.

• He does not care.

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? Choose TWO.

• 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.

• Knowledge can be very powerful.

• Change can be unexpectedly frightening.

In “Flowers for Algernon,” why do the doctors use Charlie in their experiment?

• They believe that he is motivated to try to learn.

• They see that he has bonded with Algernon.

• They realize that he is the only person who is willing to participate.

In “Flowers for Algernon,” why do Charlie’s fellow workers want him fired?

• 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.