CHARLIE GORDON’S STRUGGLE AGAINST MENTAL DISABILITIES
AS REFLECTED IN DANIEL KEYES’S FLOWERS FOR ALGERNON
A THESIS
Submitted as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Sarjana Degree of English Department Faculty of Letters and Humanities State Islamic University
Sunan Ampel Surabaya
By: Ainun Najib
Reg. Number: A33211090
ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
FACULTY OF LETTERS AND HUMANITIES
CHARLIE GORDON’S STRUGGLE AGAINST MENTAL DISABILITIES
AS REFLECTED IN DANIEL KEYES’S FLOWERS FOR ALGERNON
A THESIS
Submitted as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Sarjana Degree of English Department Faculty of Letters and Humanities State Islamic University
Sunan Ampel Surabaya
By: Ainun Najib
Reg. Number: A33211090
ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
DEDICATION
I proudly dedicate this thesis to my great parents H.
Abdullah Nafi’ & Hj. Umani
, my special family and every
people who always pray and support for my life every time
until now.
Also, this thesis is dedicated to The Special One who
has supported me in any condition.
Thank You
MOTTO
“LEARN FROM YESTERDAY,
LIVE FOR TODAY,
HOPE FOR TOMORROW”
-ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Firstly, In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful, praise be to
Allah SWT lord of the world, so that the writer can finish this thesis entitled “Charlie Gordon’s Struggle Against Mental Disabilities as Reflected in Daniel Keyes’s Flowers For Algernon” as a partial fulfillment of the requirement for the
graduate degree. Secondly, peace be upon our great prophet Muhammad SAW as
the messenger of God who guides the moslem from the darkness into the light
way.
The writer is fully aware that this thesis still has many weaknesses. In addition, this thesis would not be finished without other’s helps therefore. In this chance he
would like to express his gratitude and appreciation to:
1. Mrs. Itsna Syahadatud Dinurriyah, M.A as my wonderful advisor who has
spent her time patiently to help, guidance, motivate, check, criticize and
make sure this thesis run well. She is the best lecturer that the writer ever
know.
2. Dr. H. Imam Ghazali, MA. as the Dean of Faculty of Arts and Humanities
State Islamic University Sunan Ampel Surabaya.
3. Dr. Mohammad Kurjum, M. Ag as the Head of English Department. Big
thanks delivered to him for his sign and agreement.
4. All lectures of English Department who have helped the writer in any
5. The writer’s beloved parents; H. Abdullah Nafi’ and Hj. Umani, and his old brothers who gives unlimited support, love, pray and affection since
the beginning of the semester until the finishing of this thesis.
6. The writer’s beloved friends Zahra, Taufik, Budi, Nu’man, and TRIPLE C for their support, loyalty, cheering and time either in happiness or sadness.
7. The special one for her support every time in any condition.
Although this thesis was done seriously, it is still far from being perfect; therefore,
any criticism and suggestions will be gladly acquired.
Surabaya, 19th January 2016
The Writer
Ainun Najib
ABSTRACT
Najib, Ainun. 2016. Charlie Gordon’s Struggle Against Mental Disabilities as
Reflected in Daniel Keyes’s Flowers for Algernon. English Department, Faculty of Letters and Humanities, State Islamic University Sunan Ampel Surabaya.
Advisor: Itsna Syahadatud Dinurriyah, M.A
This thesis tries to analyze Daniel Keyes’s novel entitled Flowers for Algernon. This novel tells about a retarded man named Charlie Gordon who wants to be a genius man. This thesis focuses in analyzing Charlie’s psycho change. Furthermore, by focuses to the problem above this thesis uses psychoanalysis theory by Erikson and explains step by step on Charlie’s psycho change. The formalism theory is involved in this study to describe Charlie’s character.
This study finds Charlie’s psycho change is influenced by mother desire to make Charlie normal and smart. After Charlie accepts an experimental surgery from Doctor Strauss and Professor Nemur, Charlie can remember his past and the harsh reality about his life.
INTISARI
Najib, Ainun. 2016. Charlie Gordon’s Struggle Against Mental Disabilities as
Reflected in Daniel Keyes’s Flowers for Algernon. English Department, Faculty of Letters and Humanities, State Islamic University Sunan Ampel Surabaya.
Dosen Pembimbing: Itsna Syahadatud Dinurriyah, M.A
Skripsi ini mencoba untuk menganalisa novel karya Daniel Keyes yang berjudul Flowers for Algernon. Novel ini menceritakan tentang seorang yang terbelakang bernama Charlie Gordon yang ingin menjadi seseorang jenius. Skripsi ini fokus pada analisa perubahan psiko Charlie. Selanjutnya, dengan fokus pada masalah di atas skripsi ini menggunakan teori psikoanalisis oleh Erikson dan menjelaskan tahap demi tahap perubahan psiko Charlie. Teori Formalism dilibatkan untuk menjelaskan tokoh Charlie.
Penyelidikan ini menemukan bahwa perubahan psiko Charlie dipengaruhi oleh keinginan ibunya yang ingin menjadikan Charlie normal dan pandai. Setelah Charlie menyetujui untuk operasi percobaan dari dokter Strauss dan professor Nemur, Charlie dapat mengingat masa lalunya dan kenyataan pahit tentang kehidupannya.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Inside Cover Page ... i
Inside Title Page ... ii
Declaration Page... iii
Dedication Page ... iv
Motto ... v
Advisor Approval Page ... vi
Examiner Approval Page ... vii
Acknowledgements ... viii
Table of Contents ... x
Abstract ... xii
Intisari ... xiii
CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION ... 1
1.1 Background of Study ... 1
1.2 Statement of the Problem ... 3
1.3 Objective of the Study ... 3
1.4 Scope and Limitation ... 4
1.5 Significance of the Study ... 4
CHAPTER II LITERARY REVIEW ... 8
2.1. Theoretical Framework ... 8
2.1.1 Development Theory ... 8
2.1.2 New Criticism ... 14
2.1.2.1 Character ... 15
2.1.2.2 Characterization ... 16
2.2 Review of Related Studies ... 17
CHAPTER III ANALYSIS ... 20
3.1 The Description of Charlie as Character in Daniel Keyes’s Flowers for Algernon ... 20
3.2 Charlie Gordon’s Effort to be a Genius Man in Daniel Keyes’s Flowers for Algernon ... 27
CHAPTER IV CONCLUSION ... 41
REFERENCES ... 43
BIOGRAPHY ... 45
N A J I B 1
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION
1.1Background of Study
Literature is a writing which expresses and communicates through feelings
and attitude towards life (Rees 9). Literature is closely related to life because it is
the work of human creativity, which represents some aspects of life, such as
experience, problem, and the others. By studying literature, somebody will obtain
not only pleasure but also knowledge. There are many kinds of literary works,
such as drama, poetry, short story and novel. According to Kennedy (203) novel is
a book-length story in prose, whose author try to create sense while we read, we
experience actual life. The novel describe of real life and manners and of the time
in which it was written.
Flowers for Algernon is a 1966 novel that was written by Daniel Keyes. At the first time, Keyes conceived Flowers for Algernon as a short story in 1959 and was expanded into a full-length novel in 1966. This novel is very popular,
interesting and famous in that era. Because of that, Flowers for Algernon sold out more than 5 million copies and reach “Hugo Awards” and “Nebula Awards”. This
novel was also adopted as a film version was released in 1968 with title “Charly” and TV series version in 2000 with same title.
N A J I B 2
subject for an experimental surgery that researchers hope will increase his
intelligence. A procedure has been successful when tested on a lab mouse named
Algernon. Researcher –Professor Nemur- command to Charlie to write everything that happens to him before and after surgery. Charlie’s writing is very bad. Many error-spelling can be found in his diary. It shows that he has Language Deficit and can be categorized as symptom of disabilities mental, but he does not surrender
until becomes super-genius. In the process to be super-genius, Charlie
remembered many memories when he was a child. Many times Charlie being
scolded by his mother and his sister because of his inability. Whereas, Charlie
never revenge their treatment even it makes Charlie get more spirit to improve his
ability. In the end of the story, Charlie becomes stupid again. It have been
predicted by the researchers that the surgery is not immortal. Although, Charlie
receive it with happiness because he never feels it when he is in super-genius
level. This study use Flowers for Algernon because many interested parts contain in the novel. One of them is part when Charlie attempt to change his destiny.
Charlie does not surrender until his desire reached.
In this research, this study will analyze the main character of Flowers for Algernon, Charlie Gordon, by development theory proposed by Eric Erikson and explains about his psychological problem. This novel will be analyzed by using
Psychoanalysis theory. Psychoanalysis is a method of studying the mind and
treating mental and emotional disorders based on revealing and investigating the
N A J I B 3
This thesis focuses on the psychology of Charlie Gordon and what he does to
reach his super-genius ability.
There are some related previous studies which are relevant to the study.
The first one is Desy Eka Fatmawati. She wrote a Journal entitled Revealing Charlie Gordon’s Trauma in Daniel Keyes’s Flowers for Algernon (2014). The
second is from Yuliana, Student of Binus University. She wrote a thesis entitled
Structural Analysis of Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes: Signifying the Needs of Main Character (2008). The third is from Rini Agustina. She wrote a thesis entitled A Short Happy Moment of Charlie’s Life in Flowers for Algernon
by Daniel Keyes (2012). Based on the explanation above, this study takes the title:”Charlie Gordon’s Struggle against Mental Disabilities as Reflected in
Daniel Keyes’s Flowers for Algernon”
1.2Statement of Problems
Based on the background of study above, the problems will be formulated
as follows:
N A J I B 4
1.3Objective of Study
According to the problem statements above, the main objectives in this
research as follows:
1.3.1 To describe the characterization of Charlie Gordon in Flowers for Algernon.
1.3.2 To describe Charlie Gordon’s desire to be a genius man.
1.4Scope and Limitation
In order to prevent non-relevant problems, the study will be limited to the
novel that is written by Daniel Keyes entitled Flowers for Algernon. The study will focuses on the characters and their characterizations represented in the novel.
To answer statement of problem stated above, Charlie Gordon character and his
characterization becomes the most important point to analyze. Scope of study
from this research focuses on the part of novel where Charlie Gordon doing his
daily life as an idiot before and after to be subject of experimental surgery. To
avoid the discussion out of the topic, this study will limit discussion in Charlie Gordon’s process going to be Super-Genius man.
1.5Significance of Study
Actually, this research has several significances. Theoretically, it is hoped
that this research can be used as helpful reference in order to understand the
N A J I B 5
This research is also hoped to be studied by students, lecturers, or other people
who are interested to the novel or psychoanalysis theory.
Practically, it is hoped that the research can be used as reference for the
students who are analyzed in this novel or other novel. It can be used by teacher or
lecturer who uses the research as a supporting source for teaching. Also, it will be
useful to improve the knowledge and can be additional reference for English
Department students or other student in this world who are studying literature.
1.6Method of Study 1.6.1 Types of Research
This is library research. Library research works through many books and
other references like articles, journals, and websites in doing research to support
the topic. Here, this research takes the novel as the object. So, this research also
works using some material like books concerning the topic, some literature books,
journals and website. These aims use to support the idea of the topic.
1.6.2 Sources of Data
There are two sources of data, primary data and secondary data. In this
research, the source of primary data is the novel itself that is written by Daniel
Keyes. Whereas the secondary data is taken from some critical works and some
N A J I B 6
1.6.3 Method of Collecting Data
This research uses the documentation method. First step is looking for the
novel, other references to get data that related with this research and the
psychoanalysis theory by Sigmund Freud. Then, this study focuses to the main
source of data Flowers for Algernon that will be read repeatedly and
comprehended deeply. In this case, this research does not use original novel only,
but use translation of the novel in Indonesian language and watching movie
related with this novel also. In addition, this study also search more data to get the
understanding of novel and the theory by web surfing.
1.6.4 Method of Analyzing Data
In analyzing data, the research uses the list of data to select the necessary
data that can be analyzed in this research. The next step is collecting and
classifying the data concerning the cases of the research. In this step, the research
will apply theory that is connected with the problem of the research to be
described and to analyze the data with the theory. After that, the research
concludes the discussion of the data into the conclusion that is important to be
read.
1.7Definition of Key Terms
To help the reader understanding some definition of key terms used in this
study, it is essential to give a little explanation for it.
N A J I B 7
1.7.1 Mental Disabilities : Mental disorder; a mental or bodily condition
marked primarily by sufficient disorganization of
personality, mind, and emotions to seriously impair
the normal psychological functioning of the
individual—called also mental illness (Encyclopedia Britannica).
1.7.2 Struggle : An act of make forceful or violent effort to get free
of constriction; big spirit to reach something.
(Oxford Dictionary 548)
1.7.3 Super-Genius : An extremely smart person; ability without
practice; brilliant; extraordinary intelligence
N A J I B 8
CHAPTER 2 LITERARY REVIEW
2.1Theoretical Framework
This chapter focuses on discussing some theories which are going to be
used as a guidance of conducting this study. Actually, there are many theories
used to analyze this novel, but psychoanalysis would be the proper one.
Psychoanalysis theory used in this research is Erik Erikson’s theory. In his theory, Erikson divides human development into eight stages. Then, the supporting
theories used in this study is new criticism theory.
Through psychoanalysis theory, this research can analyze psychological
aspect of character in this novel. Whereas, new criticism theory can analyze
characterization of the main character in this novel, Charlie Gordon. Those
theories are explained as follows:
2.1.1. Development Theory
This research will analyze the character’s identity using understanding of
psychology. Erik Erikson’s theory of development is one of the best-known theories of personality in psychology. Much like Sigmund Freud, Erikson believes
that personality develops in a series of stages. Erik Erikson has been the most
influential writer on identity in the past two decades. He creates the term identity
crisis and believes that it is one of the most important conflicts people face in
development. According to Erikson, an identity crisis is a time of intensive
N A J I B 9
(psychology.about.com/od/theoriesofpersonality/a/identitycrisis.htm). Such crisis
occurs during the teenage years in which people struggle between feelings of
identity versus role confusion (Erikson 11).
Each Erikson’s development stages are characterized by a different
conflict that must be resolved by the individual. When the environment makes
new demands on people, the conflicts arise. If a person is unable to resolve a
conflict at a particular stage, they will confront and struggle with it later in life.
Each confrontation with the environment is called crisis as the turning point faced
at each developmental (Schultz 211).
Erikson divides the total life-span into eight stages. There are trust versus
mistrust, autonomy versus shame and doubt, initiative versus guilt, industry
versus inferiority, identify versus role confusion, intimacy versus isolation,
generativist versus stagnation, and ego integrity versus despair (Pikunas 14). Each
stages will be explained as follows:
Stage 1 - Trust versus Mistrust
The first stage of Erikson’s theory is basic trust versus basic mistrust (7).
The first stage occurs to infant between birth and one year of age approximately.
Erikson states that the basic strength of the first stage is hope, or the expectation
that difficulties in life, presenting whatever challenges they may, will eventually
N A J I B 10
from primary caregivers such as mother. However, the infant’s needs are not merely oral and are not primarily sexual. In addition to experiencing pleasure
from breast or bottle, the child needs physical contact and consistency in attention
(Erikson 7). It means, to develops the infant’s ability of trust, the infant not only needs source of food, but needs affection and attention from people around them
also. If the infant does not get their need, the infant will feel mistrust.
Stage 2 - Autonomy versus Shame and Doubt
The second stage of Erikson’s theory is Autonomy versus Shame and Doubt. The second stage occur during early childhood about 1-3 years old.
According to Erikson, the toddler struggles to gain a sense of autonomy or control
of bodily functions, large, and small motor skills, should be quite obvious to the
parents of such children. Walking, talking, and later dressing and feeding oneself,
as well as learning to control bowel functions, are all tasks that the child learns
during this stage. Increasingly, she or he wants to do these things without adult
help (8). It means, if caregivers especially their parents encourage self-sufficient
behavior, toddlers develop a sense of autonomy, a sense of being able to handle
many problems on their own. However, if caregivers demand too much, refuse to
let children perform tasks of which they are capable, or ridicule early attempts at
self-sufficiency, children may instead develop shame and doubt about their ability
N A J I B 11
Stage 3 - Initiative versus Guilt
The third stage of Erikson’s theory is Initiative versus Guilt. This stage occur in the child about 3-6 years old. Some people called this period as preschool
era. According of Erikson, Children at this age are extremely active and mobile, or in Erikson’s terms, locomotive. They are talkative, and they experiment and
learn through imaginative play (10).It means, at this stage children are learning to
master the world around them, learning basic skills and principles of physics.
They also learn some regular activity like how to zip and tie, count and speak with
ease. In the other case, guilt occurs when the child’s developing conscience feel in competition with the parent ( Erikson 11). It means, the child’s guilt develops from their parent itself. The parents discourage the child from doing some
independent activities or force the child to do a good behavior so hard.
Stage 4 - Industry versus Inferiority
The fourth stage of Erikson’s theory is Industry versus Inferiority. This stage occur in the child from approximately age 7-12 years old, when
the child sit in elementary school generally. Erikson states the child that is
ill prepared for school or lacks the tools for learning from life’s experience will despair. Successful resolution of crisis at this stage stems largely from
preparation at earlier stages (11). It means, the child must be ready to face
N A J I B 12
Stage 5 - Identity versus Confusion
The fifth stage of Erikson’s theory is identity versus role confusion. This stage occur in the child from approximately age 13-18 years old. This period is
transitional period from childhood to adulthood. According to Erikson,
Adolescence is a time of great change; about the body and the sexual organs
mature, new expectations for social and academic adjustments arise with the
transition to middle school, self-image typically suffers, and life can be very
stressful, especially in the earlier transition stage. The basic task of this period is
to separate oneself from parents and to assume an identity (11). During
adolescence, people are exploring their independence and developing a sense of
self . If they are receive proper encouragement and reinforcement through
personal exploration, they will emerge from this stage with a strong sense of self
and a feeling of independence and control. If they are unsure of their beliefs and
desires, the result is they will be insecure and confused about themselves and the
future.
Stage 6 - Intimacy versus Isolation
The sixth stage of Erikson’s theory is intimacy versus isolation. This stage
occur to the young adult age 18-40 years old. According to Erikson, intimacy and
mutual sharing with another is the basic strength of this stage (13). Erikson
believes that a strong sense of personal identity is important for couple to
N A J I B 13
So, from this problem, it can lead the adolescence feel isolation, loneliness or
sometimes they feel depression.
Stage 7 - Generativity versus Stagnation
The seventh stage of Erikson’s theory is generativity versus stagnation. This stage occur in the adulthood age 40-65 years old approximately. During
adulthood, people continue to build their lives, focusing on career, settle down
within a relationship, begin their own families and develop a sense of being a
part of the bigger picture (14). It means this period is the right time for the
adulthood concern to the next generation. the opposing concept is generativist
is stagnation or the loss of self in self-absorption (Erikson 14). It means that
the stagnant stops to be a productive member of society and uninvolved in the
world.
Stage 8 - Integrity versus Despair
The last stage of Erikson’s theory is integrity versus despair. This stage
occur during old age and is focused on reflecting back on life (17). According to
Erikson, Integrity in the later years of life implies acceptance of a life that was
well lived. It does not mean that life is over, for these can often by very
productive years. But by this age a person begins take a reflective and evaluative
look back at his or her life (17). It means the integrity can be seen when a
N A J I B 14
potential or a feeling that people have wasted their life, without hope for personal
redemption. So, if people are unsuccessful during this stage, they are going to feel
that their life has been wasted and will experience many regrets. Then, people are
feel proud of their accomplishments, they will feel a sense of integrity.
This theory can be used to analyze psychological of main character. In the
story that used for the research, almost of story contain of psychological
transformation. This theory consist of many stages that contain step by step of human’s life, so this theory is very useful to analyze psychosis transformation.
2.1.2. New Criticism
New criticism is the main tool in an analysis to reveal the true meaning of
a text based on the text itself (Tyson 136). It means, new criticism judges and
evaluates a literary work based on the text only. Because it is based on the text
itself, new criticism‘s main focus is the formal elements that depicted in the text. Bressler also states in his book that new criticism does not even need to find extra
textual information outside the text, the text itself contains all the necessary
information to discover the meaning (55).
According to Gillespie, formal elements are including character, setting,
point of view, plot, and theme (190). It means, formal elements are parts of the
texts itself. Tyson states that the main focus of the formal elements is in the
literary language which is different from scientific or everyday language (138). It
depends on the connotation which contains implication and suggestion so that it
can create an artistic language. This is what new criticism called as the organic
N A J I B 15
the text (138). So, the writer will take a look the evidence of the formal elements;
in this case are character and characterization only; from the text that needed for
this analysis.
2.1.2.1. Character
Character is one of the most important elements in literature. Character holds
the main role in a story of literature such as novel, drama, tale, and poem. Character is
the person represented in dramatic or narrative work who is interpreted by the reader
as possessing particular moral, intellectual and emotional qualities that shown with
dialog and action in literary work (Abrams 42). Through the character, the reader can
enjoy and understand the plot of the story. According to Bennett, character is the life
of literature. They are the objects of our curiosity and fascination, affection and
dislike, admiration and criticism (60). It means, the author depicted their imagination
and describe the story trough the character itself.
Dinuriyyah states in her book that characters can be divided into two kinds,
major character and minor character (114). Major character is an important figure at
the center of the story. However, the major character cannot stand by isolation. The
major character needs other characters to help the story more interest and attractive.
Characters who supports the major character is called minor character.
The major character plays the biggest role and is often the first character to be
introduced. Most often the story is seen through the eyes of the main character.
Whereas, minor characters play a smaller supporting role and are introduced
N A J I B 16
these characters are static and do not change significant. Whereas, the round character
is complex and many sided. The round character may appear to us only as he appears
to the other characters in the story. It can be concluded that round characters play a
big role in a story rather than a flat character. These characters often change as the
story progresses.
2.1.2.2. Characterization
Character can make a story reliable and vivid. People are always interested
in discussing a character. Everybody admits that a human is unique creature who
has a very rich dimension to be discussed. Therefore, character becomes an
interesting topic in literature. In order to build a full and clear portrait of the
character becomes more alive, an author uses characterization.Gill states in his
book that character is generally known as a person in a literary work besides
characterization is the way in which a character is created (127). In this case,
character is only the figure person that created by the author and characterization
completed it with the physically description, attitude, and even how they think and
act in the text. So, to make the differences between character and characterization
is by calling the character as the product while characterization as the method
(127). Characterization is very important since the reader can explore the novel by paying attention on the character’s speeches action and comment of the other
character in order to understand more about the idea of the story (Holman 2).
There are some methods of characterization. According to Gill, there are
two ways in how characters are depicted in a text, it is called telling and showing
N A J I B 17
physical appearance such as the dress, age, how the character looks like, while
showing a character is more complex than telling because the author try to show the character by its way to behave and think. The author tries to get the reader‘s response to judge the character‘s trait, it is good or bad, or maybe the character has other traits by showing the character‘s way of behave and think in some
condition (134).
Similar with Gill‘s theory of telling and showing, Griffith also states a
theory used to analyze the character and characterization of a literary work. It is
called as direct and indirect method. While in the direct method the author only
describes the appearance of the character, what the character is like, in the indirect
method the author describes the character through what they say, thought, speech,
and act (33 – 34).
Both of theories above, character and characterization, can be used to
analyze main character personality. Character and characterization theory are
important for this research because without it, the research cannot be explained
with clearly.
2.2Review of Related Studies
This part will show the previous studies which are closely similar with
type of analysis in this research, and the theories which are used to analyze the
N A J I B 18
Needs of Main Character (2008) written by Yuliana, student of Bina Nusantara University. In her research, she analyzes the needs of the main character in his
struggle to accept his condition and fulfill his needs. She uses structural criticism
by Tzevetan Todorov for her analysis.
Another research entitled A Short Happy Moment of Charlie’s Life in Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes (2012)writtenby Rini Agustina. She is a student of North Sumatra University. She analyzes the fact about Charlie, whether
Charlie really has a short happy moment after an experimental surgery. Agustina
uses structural criticism to analyze the character from novel, Charlie Gordon and
Miss Kinnian. Miss Kinnian is Charlie Gordon’s teacher when he studied in special school for retarded people.
In addition, this study also uses the previous studies from a journal. The
journal entitled “Revealing Charlie Gordon’s Trauma in Daniel Keyes’s Flowers for Algernon” (2014) is written by Desy Eka Fatmawati. She is student from Surabaya States University. She discusses about Charlie Gordon’s trauma when Charlie experienced many bad experiences in his childhood. She uses theory of
trauma symptoms and theory of intelligence by Sandra L. Bloom.
The similarities of all researches and journal above with this research is
the same as taking Flowers for Algernon as object for research. Then, all of studies also analyze main character from novel, Charlie Gordon. The difference of
two previous researches and journal with this research is from theory that used.
N A J I B 19
while two of researches used structural analysis. Whereas, the journal use trauma
N A J I B 20
CHAPTER 3 ANALYSIS
In this chapter, this research tries to answer the problem formulated in the
first chapter; those are how Charlie Gordon described in the novel and what the
effort that Charlie Gordon does to be a genius man.
This analysis below will consist of some parts of discussion. First part will
discuss about Charlie’s characterization. Then, the second parts will discuss about Charlie’s effort to be a genius man. From the discussion below, hopefully this
study will answer all of problem formulation.
For data source, this research uses the novel entitled Flowers for Algernon written by Daniel Keyes. Then, the data are taken from the narrations which has
correlation with the problem statement and the dialogues among the characters as
evidence.
3.1. The Description of Charlie as Character in Daniel Keyes’s Flowers for Algernon
Charlie Gordon is the major character in Daniel Keyes’s Flowers for
Algernon. According to Dinurriyah, Major Character is an important figure at the center of the story and usually they have a lot to say and appears frequently in the
N A J I B 21
said as round character. This statement is suitable with Kenney’s theory that
round character is complex, changeable and many sided (46).
Charlie Gordon in this story depicted as a thirty two years old mentally
retarded man who lives in New York City. Charlie has IQ 68. With that IQ, he
looks like an adult man but still child in mind.
“I hope they use me becaus Miss Kinnian says mabye they can make me smart. I want to be smart. My name is Charlie Gordon I werk in Donners bakery where Mr Donner gives me 11 dollers a week and bred or cake if I want. I am 32 yeres old and next munth is my birthday”. (Keyes 1)
The data above shows that Charlie has low IQ. At the beginning of the
story, Strauss tells Charlie to write everything in a report progress book. Charlie’s writing is very bad. Many error-spelling founded in his writing. He also cannot
puts dot (.) or comma (,) correctly. It shows that he has Language Deficit, a symptom of disabilities mental. For example he writes wrek (work), yeres (years)
and munth (month). Actually, every wrong word written by Charlie depends on
his speech.
Charlie is depicted as a spiritful man who wants to improve himself. He
attends reading and writing classes at the Beekman College Center for Retarded
Adults.
“He says I shud rite just like I talk and like I rite compushishens in Miss Kinnians class at the beekmin collidge center for retarted adults where I go to lern 3 times a week on my time off”. (Keyes 1)
N A J I B 22
Prof Nemur said but why did you want to lern to reed and spell in the frist place. I tolld him because all my life I wantid to be smart and not dumb and my mom always tolld me to try and lern just like Miss Kinnian tells me but its very hard to be smart and even when I lern something in Miss Kinnians class at the school I ferget a lot”. (Keyes 4)
The data above show that Charlie really wants to be smart. Charlie is a
man who cannot be patient to increase his intelligence for long time, so he takes a
shortcut. He accepts a suggestion from two researchers at Beekman University.
They look for a human test subject to try a new operation technique to increase
intelligence.
In fact, his spirit to be smart does not come from himself only. When he
was child, her mother was the one who insisted on making him smart. She
believes that Charlie is normal person like other children.
"He's normal! He's normal! He'll grow up like other people. Better than others." She was trying to scratch the teacher, but Dad was holding her back. "He'll go to college someday. He'll be somebody." She kept screaming it, clawing at Dad so he'd let go of her. "He'll go to college someday and he'll be somebody." (Keyes 71)
Charlie’s parents often clashed about Charlie’s condition. His mother
insists that her son is normal person like other child but Charlie’s father does in the other side. In story, when Charlie was six years old, he cannot defecate and
pee in the bathroom by himself. He often gets a hit because his inability.
"He's not a dummy. He's normal. He'll be just like everyone else."
He looks sadly at his son with the spinner and Charlie smiles and holds it up to show him how pretty it is when it goes around and around.
N A J I B 23
"You're fooling yourself, Rose. It's not fair to us or to him. Pretending he's normal. Driving him as if he were an animal that could learn to do tricks. Why don't you leave him alone?"
"Because I want him to be like everyone else." (Keyes 73)
One day, his parents bring Charlie to doctor, more precisely a psychiatrist.
His mother hopes from that doctor, Charlie will be normal even smarter than
before. In the end, his mother’s effort is useless. Charlie still feels hard to defecate and pee in the bathroom with himself.
Rose, Charlie’s mother, discontinues her effort to make Charlie smart after Norma’s birth. Previously, Rose believes that Charlie is the normal person. Now, after Norma’s birth, Rose is sure that her belief is wrong. Norma is normal and
Charlie is not.
“…It was something Rose Gordon lived with day and night. Her fear, her guilt, her shame that Charlie was a moron. Her dream that something could be done. The urgent question always: whose fault was it, hers or Matt's? Only after Norma proved to her that she was capable of having normal children, and that I was a freak, did she stop trying to make me over. But I guess I never stopped wanting to be the smart boy she wanted me to be, so that she would love me.." (Keyes 73)
Although his mother does not support him again, Charlie still continues his
desire to be smart at least he can read and write. His desire appears again when he
works at Donners Bakery. Charlie asks to Joe how Joe can read and write but Joe
N A J I B 24
but I dint know it then. She said if you come back tomorow and rejister I will start to teach you how to read. But you got to understand it will take a long time maybe years to lern to read. I told her I dint know it took so long but I wantid to lern anyway because I made believe a lot of times. I meen I pretend to pepul I know how to read but it aint true and I wantid to lern. She shaked my hand and said glad to meet you Mistre Gordon. I will be your teacher. My name is Miss Mnnian. So thats wear I went to lern and thats how I met Miss Kinnian. (Keyes 27)
Charlie is depicted as honest man also. Before his surgery, Charlie gets a
test from laboratory. Burt shows some pictures about people to Charlie and tells
him to make a story based on the pictures but Charlie refuses it. Charlie says to
Burt that he cannot make a story about unknown people.
This test lookd easy because I coud see the picturs. Only this time she dint want me to tell what I saw in the picturs. That mixd me up. I tolld her yesterday Burt said I shoud tell what I saw in the ink. She said that don’t make a difrence because this test is something else. Now you got to make up storys about the pepul in the picturs.
I said how can I tell storys about pepul I dont know. She said make believe but I tolld her thats lies. I never tell lies any more because when I was a kid I made lies and I always got hit. I got a pictur in my walet of me and Norma with Uncle Herman who got me the job to be janiter at Dormers bakery before he dyed.
I said I coud make storys about them because I livd with Uncle Herman along time but the lady dint want to hear about them. She said this test and the other one the raw shok was for getting persinality. I laffd. I tolld her how can you get that thing from cards that sombody spilld ink on and fotos of pepul you dont even no. She lookd angrey and took the picturs away. I don’t care. (Keyes 5-6)
The data above show that Charlie does not want to lie. Although it looks
like a fool innocent person, but he had experiences when childhood. That
experiences teach him to do not behave badly.
After his surgery, Charlie finds a problem about his honesty. Charlie see
Gimpy do something wrong. Gimpy reduces the price and take profit deliberately.
N A J I B 25
confuses to determine his choice. In one side, if Charlie tells to Mister Donner about Gimpy’s mistake, Gimpy will be fired from his work. Charlie thinks that
Gimpy is not able to get other job because Gimpy has a lame foot, whereas Gimpy
has a wife and three children. In other side, if Charlie does not tell to Mister
Donner, he will feel guilty because he helps Gimpy to steal from Mister Donner.
But I still have to decide what to do. Tell Donner that his trusted employee has been stealing from him all these years? Gimpy would deny it, and I could never prove it was true. And what would it do to Mr Donner? I don't know what to do. (Keyes 88)
…Yet, Gimpy is a co-worker. Three children. What will he do if Donner fires him? He might not be able to get another job-especially with his club foot.
Is that my worry?
What's right? Ironic that all my intelligence doesn't help me solve a problem like this. (Keyes 89)
After the surgery, Charlie slowly becomes more and more intelligent, but
it does not instantly. Sometimes he feels discouraged and hopeless. Charlie think
that the surgery will creates him to be smart automatically. Miss Kinnian tells
Charlie to be patient and keep learn. Strauss also explains to him that the process
of surgery is not like what Charlie thinks.
She said thats not the way it werks Charlie. It comes slowley and you have to werk very hard to get smart.
I dint no that. If I got to werk hard anyway what did I have to have the operashun for. She said she wasnt sure but the operashun was to make it so that when I did werk hard to get smart it woud stick with me and not be like it was before when it dint stick so good. (Keyes 17)
…I told him nothing speshul ever happins to me and it dont look like this speshul exper'tmint is going to happin neither. He says dont get
N A J I B 26
While he becomes more intelligent, his imagination growth also. In his
imagination, Charlie can see and remember his past. Sometimes he dreams about
his childhood and family.
When Charlie works at Donners Bakery, he has a lot of friends. Charlie
likes them so much. Charlie always thinks that all of his friends like him too
because they often joke and laugh together. Charlie does not know the truth that
his friends mock and laugh at him when Charlie does some funny or ridiculous
thing.
In the middle of the story, after getting his smart ability, Charlie knows the
fact about his friends. The fact that his friends mock and laugh at him. One night,
Charlie has been invited to a party. At the party, his friends tell Charlie to dance
with a guest named Ellen. Although Charlie cannot dance, he accepts his friends’ request. No one dances at that room except Charlie and Ellen. All of people make
a circle to watch and laugh at them. Frank also tells to all of people at room about Charlie’s dumb. It makes Charlie is ashamed and run from that place.
“Last night Joe Carp and Frank Reilly invited me to a party. There were lots of girls and Gimpy was there and Ernie too.
We had a lot of fun for a while.
"Dance with Ellen," Joe said. "She'll teach you the steps." Then he winked at her like he had something in his eye”. (Keyes 40)
What Frank said reminded me. That was the same thing that happened at Halloran's. And that was what Joe and the rest of them were doing. Laughing at me. And the kids playing hide-and-go-seek were playing tricks on me and they were laughing at me too.
The people at the party were a bunch of blurred faces all looking down and laughing at me. "Look at him. His face is red."
N A J I B 27
“…I found the stairs and ran out into the street and walked for a long time before I went to my room. I never knew before that Joe and Frank and the others liked to have me around just to make fun of me. Now I know what they mean when they say "to pull a Charlie Gordon." I'm ashamed.” (Keyes 42)
From the whole of explanation above, this research conclude that Charlie
is the major character in Flowers for Algernon. His character is also changeable throughout the story. It makes Charlie can be said as round character. Charlie also
characterized with many characterization. There are stupid man, spiritful man, honest man, and genius man.
3.2. Charlie Gordon’s Effort to be a Genius Man in Daniel Keyes’s Flowers for Algernon
The main character of Flowers for Algernon, Charlie Gordon,
characterized as an adult man who has a mental disabilities since childhood. Since
receiving many support and get operated by some researchers at Beekman
University, Charlie’s intelligence gradually increase. At the same time, his psycho changes. Actually, Charlie Gordon’s desire to be a genius man not suddenly appears in his mind. When Charlie was child, his parents are the actor behind his
desire. They often feel that Charlie is not normal like other children. They also do
some effort to make Charlie change to be better than before. After Charlie’s sister is born, their effort to make Charlie normal like other children gradually
N A J I B 28
Whereas, the data contained in the story did not fulfill all stages from theory, so
this research only take several stages from theory. To make easier, the analysis of
Charlie Gordon’s alteration will explained through stage by stage.
3.2.1. Initiative versus Guilt (Preschool Stage), 3 to 6 years
In this stage, generally children’s activities are playing and doing task for being active. Children wants to begin and complete their own actions for a
purpose. They learn how to zip and tie, count and speak with ease. They learn that
they can do many things. In fact, Keyes draws little Charlie as a toddler with
different situation.
In the story, Charlie is drawn as dumb and abnormal person since
childhood. Even at 5 years old, Charlie’s parents bring Charlie to psychiatric to heal his dumb. Although, Keyes does not explain in detail how Charlie gets that
disability. Whether its innate or from his mother’s gesture who always force him to do something but she will hit when Charlie does something wrong.
Since childhood, Charlie’s strange activities often causes his mother angry
and gets a hit. When Charlie was 6 years old, his parents often clashed because of Charlie’s disability.
"Put that thing away!" Mom shrieks and suddenly she knocks the spinner from Charlie's hand, and it crashes across the kitchen floor. "Go play with your alphabet blocks."
He stands there, frightened by the sudden outburst. He cowers, not
knowing what she will do. His body begins to shake. They're arguing, and the voices back and forth make a squeezing pressure inside him and a sense of panic.
N A J I B 29
He wants to obey her, but his legs are too soft to move. His arms go up automatically to ward off blows.
"For God's sake, Rose. Leave him alone. You've got him terrified. You always do this, and the poor kid" (Keyes 73)
That quotations show when Charlie’s parents quarrel while he playing spinner. His mother become angry with him and force Charlie to learn alphabet.
Charlie is frightened and wants to pee. His mother tells him to pee at bathroom.
Unfortunately, although he hears his mother’s instruction and wants to obey her, he cannot do it.
I never hurt her or nothing.
They put her in a crib in their room and once I heard Dad say dont worry Charlie wouldnt harm her.
She was like a bundle all pink and screaming sometimes that I couldnt sleep. And when I went to sleep she woke me up in the nighttime. One time when they were in the kitchen and I was in my bed she was crying. I got up to pick her up and hold her to get quiet the way mom does. But then Mom came in yelling and took her away. And she slapped me so hard I fell on the bed.
Then she startid screaming. Dont you ever touch her again. Youll hurt her. She's a baby. You got no business touching her. I dint know it then but I guess I know it now that she thought I was going to hurt the baby because I was too dumb to know what I was doing. Now that makes me feel bad because I would never of hurt the baby.( Keyes 38)
The data above show when Charlie has a new sister. One night, the baby
cries. Charlie knows that his parents in the kitchen, so he makes an initiative to
stops her weeping with pick her up and hold like his mother does. When his
mother knows what Charlie does to her baby, she becomes angry and slaps
N A J I B 30
From all of data above, actually Charlie has a good initiative to do any
good thing based on his opinion, but it is hidden by his disability and it does not
develop. Otherwise, Charlie’s frighten to his mother makes Charlie’s guilt look more clearly.
3.2.2. Industry versus Inferiority (Childhood Stage), 7 to 12 years
Children’s activities in this stage are entering in elementary school.
Children at this age become more aware of themselves as individuals. They work
hard at being responsible, being good and doing it right. They are now more able
to share and cooperate. In this stage, Charlie still depicted as dumb person.
Although Charlie learns in elementary school, his writing and reading ability not
develop yet. Nothing special in this period because Keyes does not describe too
much except one moment.
Charlie has many friends at the school. He always likes them even if they
often squeeze him out. Also, they have a special girl named Harriet. When Harriet
passes by, they will stop playing and look at her. When they meet her, they always
tease her except Charlie. All of them love Harriet. One time when valentine day,
Charlie wants to give Harriet a present. After wrapping a present that contains a
necklace, Charlie asks Hymie to write beautiful sentences in a paper for Harriet
N A J I B 31
"It's Valentine's Day, and the boys are talking about valentines
they'regoing to give Harriet, so Charlie says, "I'm gonna give Harriet a valentime too."
They laugh and Barry says, "Where you gonna get a valentine?" "I'm gonna get her a pretty one. You'll see."
But he doesn't have any money for a valentine, so he decides to give Harriet his locket that is heart-shaped like the valentines in the store windows. That night he takes tissue paper from his mother's drawer, and it takes along time to wrap and tie it with a piece of red ribbon. Then lie takes it to Hymie Roth the next day during lunch period in school and asks Hymie to write on the paper for him.
He tells Hymie to write: "Dear Harriet, I think you are the most prettiest girl in the whole world. I like you very much and I love you. I want you to be my valentime. Your friend, Charlie Gordon." (Keyes 53)
After that, Charlie gives the present to Harriet stealthy because he is
ashamed and fearful. Charlie hopes next day Harried uses his present to school. In
fact, Harriet does not use that present. Even Charlie calls her, she also does not
answer it. When class dismiss, suddenly Charlie is intercepted by Harriet’s brother with his friend. They threat and beat Charlie until Charlie is bloody and
sprawl. After that moment, Charlie knows that Hymie cheats him. Hymie does
not write sentences like Charlie’s wantto. The sentences that Hymie’s write makes Harriet’s brother angry with Charlie.
"Charlie got a licking! Charlie got a licking!" And then Mr Wagner, one of the caretakers from the school, comes and chases them away. He takes Charlie into the boys' room and tells him to wash off the blood and dirt from his face and hands before he goes back home...
I guess I was pretty dumb because I believed what people told me. I shouldn't have trusted Hymie or anyone.."(Keyes 55)
So, in this stage, Charlie learns about love, confidence and brave to
N A J I B 32
3.2.3. Identity versus Confusion (Adolescents), 13 to 18 years
The adolescent is concerned with how they appear to others. In this stage,
human are at transition period from childhood to adulthood. Erikson said that
adolescence is a time of great change (11). However, this theory does not compatible with Charlie’s condition.
Charlie does not change yet until this period. He is still dumb even his
sister looks with cynical view to him. One day, Charlie waits his sister Norma
back from school. When she arrives at home, she screams and feels happy about
her history test result. Charlie as Norma’s brother involves to celebrate her test result. Charlie joins and screams like Norma also. Evidently, Norma does not like Charlie’s action.
"I got an A in my history test. I knew all the answers. Mrs Baffin said it was the best paper in the whole class."
She is a pretty girl with light brown hair carefully braided and coed about her head in a crown, and as she looks up at her big brother the smile turns to a frown and she skips away, leaving him behind as she darts up the steps into the house. Smiling, he follows her.
His mother and father are in the kitchen, and Charlie, bursting with the excitement of Norma's good news, blurts it out before she has a chance. "She got an A! She got an A!" "No!" shrieks Norma. "Not you. You don't tell. It's my mark, and I'm going to tell." "Now wait a minute, young lady." Matt puts his newspaper down and addresses her sternly. "That's no way to talk to your brother."
"He had no right to tell!"(Keyes 116)
The problem becomes longer when a present that Norma’s request from her mother not obeyed. Norma becomes angry and hates Charlie even she does
N A J I B 33
Suddenly, Norma jumps off the couch and grabs the history test she had brought home so eagerly just a few minutes earlier. She tears it and throws the pieces into Charlie's startled face. "I hate youl I hate you!” "And I hate school! I hate it! I'll stop studying, and I'll be a dummy like him. I'll forget everything I learned and then I'll be just like him." (Keyes 118)
…I recall once overhearing Norma and one of her girl friends playing in her room, and Norma shouting: "He is not my real brother! He's just a boy we took in because we felt sorry for him. My mamma told me, and she said I can tell everyone now that he's not really my brother at all." …I wish this memory were a photograph so that I could tear it up and throw it back into her face. I want to call back across the years and tell her I never meant to stop her from getting her dog. She could have had it all to herself, and I wouldn't have fed it, or brushed it, or played with it and I would never have made it like me more than it liked her. I only wanted her to play games with me the way we used to. (Keyes 119)
In other case, Charlie ever gets an erection when see his sister’s friends. Although his father defend him and said to his mother that it’s normal indication, but his mother is disagree. She becomes angry to Charlie and hits Charlie with
leather belt. It is terrible thing that his mother do to him.
Now he had the clear picture of Charlie's mother, screaming at him, holding a leather belt in her hand, and his father trying to hold her back. "Enough, Rose! You'll kill him! Leave him alone!" His mother straining forward to lash at him, just out of reach now so that the belt swishes past his shoulder as he writhes and twists away from it on the floor.
"Look at him!" Rose screams. "He can't learn to read and write, but he knows enough to look at a girl that way. I'll beat that filth out of his mind." "He can't help it if he gets an erection. It's normal. He didn't do anything." "He's got no business to think that way about girls. A friend of his sister's comes to the house and he starts thinking like that! I'll teach him so he never forgets. Do you hear? If you ever touch a girl, I'll put you away in a cage, like an animal, for the rest of your life. Do you hear me?..."(Keyes 112)
N A J I B 34
Charlie nurtured by Herman. By Herman, Charlie invited to Mr. Donner to work in Donner Bakery. However, Charlie’s life does not change instantly. Someday.
Charlie ever gets a harassment from the boys around bakery. They are laugh and
tease at him, piss all over his clothes. When Mr. Herman knows about it, he
defends Charlie sooner and protect him away from the boys.
"Charlie! Charlie!... fat head barley!"
Children circle around him laughing and teasing him like little dogs snapping at his feet. Charlie smiles at them. He would like to put down his bundle and play games with them, but when he thinks about it the skin on his back twitches and he feels the way the older boys throw things at him. Coming back to the bakery he sees some boys standing in the door of a dark hallway.
"Hey look, there's Charlie!"
"Hey, Charlie. What you got there? Want to shoot some craps?" "C'mere. We won't hurtya."
But there is something about the doorway-the dark hall, the laughing, that makes his skin twitch again. He tries to know what it is but all he can remember is their dirt and piss all over his clothes, and Uncle Herman shouting when he came home all covered with filth, and how Uncle
Herman ran out with a hammer in his hand to find the boys who did that to him. Charlie backs away from the boys laughing in the hallway, drops the bundle. Picks it up again and runs the rest of the way to the bakery. (Keyes 45)
So, in this stage, Charlie’s role confusion looks when he gets many bad experience from his family itself. Charlie gets a good education from family side
since childhood rarely even never. It creates Charlie’s personality different with other adolescence. However, Charlie still has a good human side. Relent and does
not want revenge are his good personality and unique identity.
N A J I B 35
In this period, human begin to share themselves more intimately with
others. They explore relationships leading toward longer term commitments with
someone other than a family member. If they success in this stage, they can lead
to comfortable relationships and a sense of commitment, safety, and care within a
relationship. However, there are negative side in this stage. Avoiding intimacy,
fearing commitment and relationships can lead to isolation, loneliness, and
sometimes depression. In the story, Charlie is drawn as an adulthood who trough
negative side first before getting success. In this period, there are some cases that influence Charlie’s transformation.
First, Charlie works in Donners Bakery. In this place, Charlie has a lot of
friends who like him. Actually, his relationship with them is not like real friends,
but Charlie does not care with it. Although, Charlie always gives a respect and
likes them so much. That condition changes when Charlie accept an offer from his
teacher to make him smarter than before. At first, Charlie thinks that after he
change to be smart, his friends will more like to him. In reverse, his friends also
change. Some friends become hate him. Even Fanny, his friend who often help and protect him from other friend’s inference, thinks that Charlie’s transformation
is not normal.
N A J I B 36
you done to yourself to get so smart all of a sudden. Like everybody's been saying-it ain't right."
"But what's wrong with a person wanting to be more intelligent, to acquire knowledge, and understand himself and the world?"
"If you'd read your Bible, Charlie, you'd know that it's not meant for man to know more than was given to him to know by the Lord in the first place. The fruit of that tree was forbidden to man. Charlie, if you done anything you wasn't supposed to-you know, like with the devil or something-maybe it ain't too late to get out of it. Maybe you could go back to being the good simple man you was before." (Keyes 107)
After that incident, Charlie fired from Donner Bakery. It makes Charlie
frustrated because he never works in other place. Luckily, the Welberg
Foundation want to pay him out a salary of the grant.
Beside progress of his smart ability, Charlie’s feel about love is also growth. The existence of Alice Kinnian, Charlie’s teacher, who always been there for Charlie since before the surgery, make Charlie falls in love with her. Kinnian
always helps everything that Charlie need. Kinnian also gives spirit and
motivation for Charlie. However, Charlie never expresses his feeling for long
time. One day, when Charlie gets his first salary from Welberg Foundation,
Charlie invites Kinnian to watching movie. After watch, they are going to dinner
together. In this time, Charlie just expresses his feel to Kinnian.
"I never would have done it but for you," I said.
She laughed and it made me tremble. That's when I saw that her eyes were soft brown. She looked down at the tablecloth quickly and blushed.
"Thank you, Charlie," she said, and took my hand.
It was the first time anyone had ever done that, and it made me bolder. I leaned forward, holding on to her hand, and the words came out. "I like you very much." After I said it, I was afraid she'd laugh, but she nodded and smiled.
"I like you too, Charlie."
N A J I B 37
After that moment, Charlie often meet with Kinnian, even getting closer than before. They always talk and discuss about Charlie’s progress together.
Climax, when Charlie want to meet Kinnian alone away from lab. Kinnian
suggests to attend in a concert and Charlie agree with her.
"Anywhere you say," I gasped. "Just so I can be with you and not think of tests... statistics... questions... answers... "
She frowned for a moment. "All right. They have free spring concerts in Central Park. Next week you can take me to one of the concerts." When we got to her doorway, she turned quickly and kissed my cheek. "Good night, Charlie. I'm glad you called me. I'll see you at the lab." She closed the door and I stood outside the building and looked at the light in her apartment window until it went out.
There is no question about it now. I'm in love. (Keyes 94)
Although they are always together, it does not mean they never get a
crash. One day, Kinnian teaches at the Center for Retarded Adults which Charlie
ever learn before surgery. For some reason, Charlie wants to pick her up. Due to
arrive early, Charlie wants to see his old class. When their old friends see him,
they say hello and ask when he back to school. That is quarrel started. After class
dismissed, Kinnian rebukes Charlie. They clashed about Charlie’s curiosity. Kinnian state that fast alteration of Charlie’s mind makes Kinnian was look
dumber. Then, they debate about intelligence. That clashed make them separated
for a long time.
N A J I B 38
through the window. And before I knew what I was doing I came in. What's bothering you?"
"Nothing-nothing's bothering me."
"Come on. Your anger is all out of proportion to what's happened. Something's on your mind."
She slammed down a book she was holding. "All right. You want to know? You're different. You've changed. And I'm not talking about your IQ It's your attitude toward people-you're not the same kind of human being-"(Keyes 122)
After that quarrel, Charlie invited to Chicago. In there, Charlie will
introduced by Nemur to public. Night before introduction event, Charlie has an
opportunity to meet many great persons, some genius professor and scientists.
They discuss each other and debate about how Charlie’s retarded and his
transformation. However, Charlie’s genius ability seems higher than all of person in there even Nemur. Charlie also explains deficiency and failure of that
experiment. Contrast, but Nemur looks hide the fact of his experiment.
The climax happens when Nemur explains the result of his experiment.
Charlie realizes there are some mistake from Nemur experiment. Charlie feels
sensitive when his state ignored by Nemur. Finally, Charlie brings Algernon run
away.
"Go ahead, laugh!" snorted Nemur, who nearly bumped into me, "but if we don't find him, the whole experiment is in danger."
I pretended to be looking for Algernon under a waste basket. "Do you know something?" I said. "You've made a mistake. And after today, maybe it just won't matter at all."
Seconds later, half a dozen women came screaming out of the powder room, skirts clutched frantically around their legs.
"He's in there," someone yelled. But for a moment, the searching crowd was stayed by the handwriting on the wall-Ladies. I was the first to cross the invisible barrier and enter the sacred gates.
Algernon was perched on top of one of the washbasins, glaring at his reflection in the mirror.
N A J I B 39
In his escape, Charlie meets with another special woman again. Her name is Fay Lillman. Fay is Charlie’s apartment neighbor.
“June 19 - Met Fay Lillman, my neighbor across the hall. When I came back with an armful of groceries, I discovered I had locked myself out, and I remembered that the front fire escape connected my living room window and the apartment directly across the hall. (Keyes 173)
Fay really interests with Charlie’s live. Fay always notices to Charlie’s behavior. Their relationship become more intimate when they were often meet,
drink, dance together. Charlie is happy with her. The truth, Charlie is not the
special one for Fay. Charlie ever see Fay bring some men to her room. Charlie
also cannot focuses on Fay. Kinnian’s shadow comes and bothers him frequently. Another case that happens in this period is Algernon’s death. Before, Charlie realizes that this accident will happens someday.
Algernon died two days ago. I found him at four thirty in the morning when I came back to the lab after wandering around down at the waterfront-on his side, stretched out in the corner of his cage. As if he were running in his sleep.
Dissection shows that my predictions were right. Compared to the normal brain, Algernon's had decreased in weight and there was a general
smoothing out of the cerebral convolutions as well as a deepening and broadening of brain fissures (Keyes 258).
From that accident, Charlie concludes that progress will happen into
himself also. Even some researcher can predict the remaining time of Charlie’s capability. Charlie uses the remaining time to visit his mother and sister. Even
though they ever hurts him, Charlie does not revenge their worst treatment. After
N A J I B 40
“Goodby Miss Kinnian and dr Strauss and evrybody...
P.S. please tel prof Nemur not to be such a grouch when pepul laff at him and he woud have more frends. Its easy to have fiends if you let pepul laff at you. Im going to have lots of fiends where I go.
P.S. please if you get a chanse put some flown on Algernons grave in the bak yard” (Keyes311).
In this stage, Charlie’s progress is very complex. He starts to build his relationship since before surgery until get his genius ability and become dumb
again. Even though Charlie experiences of loneliness, depression and isolation
from his friends and family, Charlie also gets precious experience like feel in
