Flowers For Algernon Critical Lens Analysis

Scientific advances and the overall progress of a society are interdependent. Technological breakthroughs steer the direction in which a civilization grows while the morals of each civilization guide the course for future breakthroughs. Walter M. Miller, Jr.’s A Canticle for Leibowitz exhibits this relationship on a societal scale. Meanwhile, Daniel Keyes’ “Flowers for Algernon” displays how this correlation affects the motivations of individuals. However, both unravel a dark truth about the ethical implications of scientific advancements in the texts and in the real world. Both texts show how a lack of knowledge leads to instinctively competitive behaviour, and how insight is a powerful driving force in society. It is also revealed that even

He comes to understand that “people think it’s funny when a dumb person can’t do things the same way they can” (Keyes 510). Charlie realises that when he was mentally handicapped he had no way to defend himself, let alone understand his co-workers’ abuse. This left Charlie vulnerable and ignorant of the true nature of his friendships. Furthermore, Charlie’s newfound awareness of the abuse he has received plunges him into depression and alienates him from society. This illustrates how awareness can be used not only to detriment others, but can also be a curse on oneself. Overall, Charlie’s sudden awareness of the abuse he has received in the past shows how knowledge can encourage evil

It is clear that a lack of knowledge encourages animalistic behaviour, and that awareness can then be a powerful tool to shape society. Nonetheless, even with a better understanding of the world, humans retain their instinctively competitive behaviour. With modern scientific advances allowing society to come closer to the power to create and destroy life, this troubling trend raises pressing issues for the future of