Comparison Between Daniel Keyes' Flowers for Algernon and Awakenings
There were many similarities between the short story “Flowers for Algernon” and the movie Awakenings. “Flowers for Algernon”, by Daniel Keyes, is about a man named Charlie, who has a very low IQ. Charlie gets an operation to make him smarter. It is a story about what happens to him during that period of time. The movie, Awakenings, directed by Penny Marshall, starring Robin Williams and Robert De Niro, is about how some people, including Leonard Lowe, the main character, developed a disease and are now catatonic. Dr. Malcolm Sayer finds a drug that seems like a miracle drug. The movie is about what happens during the time that the catatonic patients are on the drug.
One of the main similarities I noticed between the short story and the movie was that the movies both had something to do with experimental medicine and science, trying to make someone more like other people, without a disability. They both had something medical that doctors thought would be a miracle if the experiment worked. The short story and ...
The movie entitled “Awakenings” is a visualization of Dr. Sack’s autobiographical account of his efforts in treating people afflicted with a neurological disease in hopes of regaining proper brain function. In its very essence the story circulates around the unyielding compassion of a doctor who
'"What's wrong with a man becoming intelligent and wanting to acquire knowledge and understanding of the world around him"' (pg.528). This quote comes from the Short story, Flowers for Algernon. The quote shows how all Charlie wanted was to be normal and smart, like everyone else on planet earth, and wanted to understand what was happening around him. Also to make the most out of the things around him and make himself and others proud of what he can do, but people are not understanding him. Flowers for Algernon the novel and the film Awakenings can be studied together because of their important similarities along with some notable differences regarding Lenard and Charlie, making it difficult for the reader and viewer to refrain from
There are many similarities presented to the audience between the movie and the novel. One
One of the obvious ways these pieces are similar is in their plots. The memoir, Night, recounts the experiences of a father and son during the time they spent at a concentration camp. It starts by giving a brief idea of what life looked like for the main characters before they were sent to a camp, and continues by describing the awful experiences the characters had. The film, Life is Beautiful, also tells a story of a father and son during their experiences at a concentration camp. The film also begins by giving background
Things that are similar about the two novels and how both of their dreams were crushed are both are groups of people who have these dreams and each finds or meets something that can help their dreams come true, the pearl and Candy. Furthermore, the realization of their dreams coming to an end is, in both books, caused by the death of someone who is a part of the dream, Coyotito and Lennie.
The novels parallel each other in interesting ways. Edna, in The Awakening, begins as a character of submission. Margaret, in North and South, meanwhile, begins the novel by attending what could be called an act of submission, at least in her opinion. Both authors develop their novels according to the development of their female characters. As Chopin continues with the growth of the independent and defiant nature of Edna, the mood and atmosphere of the novel becomes more spiritual. Gaskell, meanwhile, is interested in the psychology of her characters and uses language to reflect the settings in which she throws Margaret.
Overall, the resemblance between the two stories’ themes and meanings is remarkable.
These two films are not only similar on these surface levels, but also in their narrative structure and intent as well. Dorothy and Alice, both find themselves trapped in a world of their own fantasy, but with no context on how to navigate their way home. They are then lead by an array of strange characters who guide them on their journey. Dorothy meets the scarecrow, the tin man, the cowardly lion, and so on. While Alice crosses paths with the white rabbit, the cheshire cat, the mad hatter, and so on. With the assistance of their companions, both heroines maneuver their way through the challenges each fantasy presents. Perhaps the biggest similarity these films share narratively, is the underlying emphasis on empathy and perspective. Both
In Kate Chopin's novel The Awakening, written approximately one hundred years ago, the protagonist Edna Pontellier's fate is resolved when she 'deliberately swims out to her death in the gulf'(Public Opinion, np). Her own suicide is indeed considered as a small, almost nonexistent victory by many, nevertheless there are those who consider her death anything but insignificant. Taking into consideration that 'her inability to articulate her feelings and analyze her situation [unattainable happiness] results in her act of suicide...'(Muirhead, np) portrays Edna as being incapable of achieving a release from her restricted womanhood as imposed by society. Others state that the final scene of the novel entirely symbolizes and realizes Edna's victory on a 'society that sees their [women's] primary value in their biological functions as wives and mothers?(Kate Chopin, np).
Another similarity in the book and movie is that the characters have to go against their morals in order to decide what to do in certain situations. An example of this in the book is when Skip realises he would have to trespass and steal in order for him to keep himself and his friends alive. Or in...
Many popular novels are often converted into television movies. The brilliant fiction novel, Flowers for Algernon written by Daniel Keyes, was developed into a dramatic television film. Flowers for Algernon is about a mentally retarded man who is given the opportunity to become intelligent through the advancements of medical science. This emotionally touching novel was adapted to television so it could appeal to a wider, more general audience. Although the novel and film are similar in terms of plot and theme, they are different in terms of characters.
One of the mot important similarities between these two stories is the problems the opposite sex "causes" for the main character. In "A&P," Sammy, the main character, quits his job because he thinks that his boss has mistreated and embarrassed three young ladies that were shopping in the store. In "An Ounce of Cure," the female main character's boyfriend dumps her and she responds by trying to overdose on aspirin, gets drunk, and loses almost all of her baby-sitting jobs.
They heard! I was certain of it.” The characters aren’t developed very much in both of the stories, however, their characteristics are different. The main characters in both of the short story are two people, but the protagonist is developed innocent and the antagonist is unrighteous in “Click Clack and Rattle Bag”, “I reached over and tousled his hair.” “I would have pulled away, then, if I could, but small, firm fingers pulled me forward, unrelentingly, into the dark.” show that the young man wants to take care of the kid, but the kid uses his good looks and tone and finally kills the man. And on the contrast, the
many similarities,the differences in the two stories stand out magnificently. In the film Life Is
The story written by John Steinbeck called “The Chrysanthemums” could be named “The Story of an Afternoon” because of the time range it took the tragedy to occur is around the time of a few hours. John Steinbeck’s “The Chrysanthemums” is similar to Kate Chopin’s “The Story of an Hour” in the sense of tragic, irony, happening to women in a small amount of time. In both stories women are bamboozled by men, they become misguided and gain a desire. Aiming to achieve the desire causes them to see a false reality and in ruination.