How does Algernon function as a symbol or alter-ego for Charlie? Charlie, a thirty-two year old man with a mental condition was seen as fragile. To further his intelligence level, he attended the Beekman College center for retarded adults. His desired self was to become intelligent. “If the operation works good I’ll show that mouse I can be as smart as he is even smarter” (12).
Although intelligence does bring forth many benefits in life, it cannot create happiness. Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes is a story in which bringing happiness from increasing ones intelligence is attempted using the latest scientific advances. When introduced to the protagonist, Charlie Gordon, the premier thought of his we learn is he idolizes being smart, which is his one and only wish; although throughout the novel he learns intelligence without emotional stability cannot bring forth happiness. In the novel, beginning from the first paragraph, Charlie’s intentions are clear; he wishes to become intelligent above anything. Within the very first progress journal Charlie describes his willingness to become intelligent.
Charlie is chosen to participate in an experiment that will supposedly raise his IQ. But it turns out that they turn him into a genius, and it is only temporary. Along the way he falls in love with his teacher, Miss Kinnian. But he grows so intelligent that they grew farther apart as Charlie gets smarter. There are also two doctors in the novel, Dr. Strauss and Professor Nemur.
Blake Hall Ms. Snyder English III Honors 21 April 2014 “Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited to all we now know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world and all the ever will be to know and understand.” (Albert Einstein) Albert Einstein is considered one of the greatest minds to ever set foot on planet Earth. Some see Einstein as an all knowing figure that was perfect in every way, a common misconception. As a child, Einstein encountered speech difficulties and didn’t even pass his college entrance exam. What really made Einstein stand out was his ability of higher level thinking.
Boy if I get smart won't he be surprised." (p 5) Charlie writes this down into his progress report and proves that he wants to please everyone by being smart. The scientists first try this experiment on a mouse to see if it might work. The mouse did improve on how fast he learned and was made smarter every time the scientists taught the mouse something new. Since the experiment was a success they decided to begin to test Charlie to see if he was the right type of person .
He had nobody to relate to because at this point of the story, Charlie?s intelligence has already exceeded that of his teacher and the doctors. Before Charlie became smart, even the simplest things in life were good enough for him. As a genius, none of those things mattered to him. His mind was more complex, he needed more and he wanted more. As a result, he felt alone and buried himself in his work.
Using the Rf equation, the Rf value can be determine to numerically determine the similarity in the inks "R" _"f" "=" "distance from the origin to the center of the spot" /"distance form the origin to the solvent front" (Eq. 1) For the purpose of this experiment, I attempt to disprove what ink was used to write a letter by comparing the Rf values and colors through adsorption chromatrography. But before beginning this experiment, the class posed a series of question to guide our thinking; the questions were: What is the ID of the unknown ink? Can it conclusively be told what pen wrote the letter? What is the best solvent?
Introduction In this experiment, we worked with paper chromatography. Before discussing the experiment in full detail, we must first review what exactly paper chromatography is. Paper chromatography is a certain technique used for separating different mixtures. It uses a specific type of paper made up of cellulose, and has a solution that separates the mixture into the multiple substances that make up that mixture1. Paper chromatography can also test the purity of the mixtures as well2.
Throughout this portion of the experiment, students used weighting paper as a funnel poring the indicated solution as stated by the protocol, for instance pouring silica gel and sand into the column. After, we poured about 3ml of Hexanes into the column, making sure not to let the column dry. We then added, spinach extract to the column—after, we added about 1ml of hexanes. Adding hexanes caused the solution to gain a yellow colored band. We added hexanes until the yellow band reached the bottom of the column, thus began to collect all the yellow pigment into a test tube.
“I didn’t know what to do…” (April 20, page 122) His intelligence reaches new, never known heights and he becomes even more an outsider than he was before, as a retard. And finally he’s stupid again. I like Charlie Gordon, and I liked him best when he was smart. But if he hadn’t been a retard before he became a genius, I guess I wouldn’t have liked him as much. I think being able to place oneself in another’s position and way of thinking is a great quality to have as a human being.