Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes

[Samantha]

Hello, as of now, I have read up to page 36 and so far I really like the book. It has a very unique format as a journal for a research participant. Charlie has a "low IQ," which makes him vulnerable towards manipulation and bullying. I genuinely did not like it when his co-workers beat him up near a bar and almost made him get scolded for an immature prank. What are your thoughts on his vulnerability and the situations he got into?

[Samantha]

Erëza wrote: "The same vulnerability that gets Charlie into these situations is the same vulnerability that makes me want to root for him. As you said Charlie’s coworkers subject him to a series of cruel pranks ..."

Apologies for the late reply, I had to read more of the novel to know more about the memories. I feel like the memories helped him find out who he is and how certain traits of his came to be. I just finished reading the part where Charlie had this uncanny fear of seatbelts. This triggered a memory where his mom and dad brought him to a doctor's office to make him "normal." It turns out that his fear of seatbelts came from being strapped into a machine that, according to Dr. Guarino, a machine that will make Charlie "smarter." However, we all know that Dr. Guarino is profiting off of this procedure. But before I stray away from the question, the memories are there to give Charlie a backstory and remind him of his identity.