Meg 🪷🦢’s Reviews > Flowers for Algernon > Status Update

Charlie reaching his conclusion that Norma grew as much as he did is inspiring to the idea of forgiveness and memories. It’s astounding to see how he recognized that she no longer was the spoiled brat. He even recognizes how difficult it must’ve been to be the older sister of someone with his condition. He only had to survive the world within, but she had to survive 2 worlds.

Charlie’s mom having dementia is heartbreaking. It almost seems impossible that Charlie will get to truly understand his mother’s feelings towards him because she goes in and out of being lucid. She admitted that Charlie was born for greatness if it wasn’t for his illness. But I don’t think that is enough information to give Charlie the closure he feels that he needs to comfortably move forward.

Algernon and Charlie remind me SO MUCH of Elliot and E.T’s relationship, it’s so heartwarming. I had to refrain from sobbing in my Uber about Algernon’s death, but I found it so relatable that Charlie loved Algernon enough to keep Algernon and gave him the burial he deserved. Even if it meant doing it alone.

“…and i say that the mind absorbed in and involved in itself as a self-centered end, to the exclusion of human relationships, can only lead to violence & pain”

“intelligence is one of the greatest human gifts. but all too often a search for knowledge drives out the search for love. this is something else i’ve discovered for myself very recently. i present to you as a hypothesis: intelligence without the ability to give and receive affection leads to mental and moral breakdown, to neurosis, and possibly even psychosis.”

“there are a lot of people who will give money or materials, but very few who will give time and affection”

Alice loves Charlie enough to encourage Charlie to keep going with his research, despite the possibility that if Charlie lost his intelligence he would go back to being the sweet Charlie he once was. Alice loves Charlie enough to let him go and venture forward, but loves herself enough to distance herself since they are no longer compatible to one another.