Flowers for Algernon
Irony
Irony
What is irony?
The expression of one's meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, typically for humorous or emphatic effect.
What secret does Dr. Frankenstein learn?
Dr. Frankenstein learns how to create life.
Intelligent
Having or showing the ability to learn, understand, and process information easily.
What characters are similar in Flowers for Algernon and Frankenstein? Why?
Charlie and Dr. Frankenstein
Charlie says “Their really my friends and they like me” about Joe and Frank. How is this ironic?
Charlie doesn’t understand that Joe and Frank make fun of him. He thinks they are his friends.
“What does this quotation reveal about Dr. Frankenstein: ‘Sometimes, on the very brink of certainty, I failed; yet still I clung to the hope which the next day or the next hour might realize’?”
This quotation reveals that Dr. Frankenstein has to overcome many obstacles to create a human being. Even when he fails, Dr. Frankenstein keeps pushing forward hoping that he might be successful the next day or next hour. Dr. Frankenstein is willing to keep trying, which shows that he is determined. He even continues to try after it affects his health.
Capable
Having the ability, fitness, or quality necessary to do or achieve a specified thing.
Where is this quote in Frankenstein?
"Learn from me, at least by my example, how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge and how much happier that man is who believes his native town to be the world, than he who aspires to become greater than his nature will allow. "
Unit reader.
Miss Kinnian reads Charlie’s progress reports about Joe and Frank treat him, she at him “kind of funny” and Charlie responds, that his friends are smart and treat him well. Miss Kinnian “gets something in her eye” and runs out. How is this ironic?
Charlie doesn’t realize that Miss Kinnian feels sorry for him and leaves the room to cry. She knows that his “friends” are taking advantage of him. This is an example of dramatic irony because Miss Kinnian and the reader realize that Charlie is being taken advantage of by Joe and Frank, but Charlie does not
Why is Dr. Frankenstein obsessed with dead bodies?
Dr. Frankenstein studies dead bodies to understand how life begins and ends. He does this so that he can learn how to create life.
Conceive
Form or devise (a plan or idea) in the mind.
Where is this quote in Frankenstein?
"I doubted at first whether I should attempt the creation of a being like myself, or one of simpler organization; but my imagination was too much overjoyed by my first success to permit me to doubt of my ability to give life to an animal as complex and wonderful as man."
See unit reader.
Charlie says he feels sorry for Robinson Crusoe because he’s all alone and has no friends. How is this ironic?
Charlie doesn’t realize that he is just like Robinson Crusoe, but Charlie doesn’t feel sorry for himself.
What does it mean to study the human frame?
Dr. Frankenstein studies skeletons to better understand how the human body is put together.
Limit
A point or level beyond which something does not or may not extend or pass.
Why does Dr. Frankenstein says acquiring knowledge is dangerous?
He wants readers to learn they should be happy with what they have and know, and they should not try to know more than they should. Like Charlie undergoing surgery to increase his intelligence, Dr. Frankenstein is trying to gain knowledge of how to create life. He is “playing God,” which Dr. Frankenstein learns is problematic .
Charlie misuses the comma and then other punctuation. How is this ironic?
Charlie describes how he is using a comma correctly and then punctuation correctly, but he is not.
How is Dr. Frankenstein negatively affected by his experiment?
Dr. Frankenstein almost becomes a slave to his experiment. He works late nights and doesn’t go out and enjoy life. He says he will enjoy life after he finishes his experiment. He says he becomes pale and skinny, has a fever, and becomes really nervous. He says he is a wreck.
Vacant
(of a person or their expression) having or showing no intelligence or interest.
When does charlie realize that his friends Frank and Joe aren't truly his friends? Show me in the unit reader.
Before progress report 12.