CHARACTERS
This woman is attractive to Charlie even though he doesn't really know her or care deeply for her.
Who is Fay Lillman?
This small, furry character foreshadows Charlie's greatest struggle of ultimately losing the intelligence he's gained.
What is Algernon?
This is why Charlie was so offended by the experiment presentation.
What is feeling used or dismissed by Nemur and Strauss in order to advance their careers?
This theme is expressed by Charlie's ability to immediately work through his anxiety about being strapped in by the airplane seatbelt.
What is "Intellect vs. Emotion" and/or "The Past & the Present"?
This is the part of our minds that keeps track of everything we experience without being aware of it, including our memories, instincts, and coping mechanisms.
What is the subconscious?
This character is Charlie's mother.
Who is Rose?
This symbol is what allows Charlie to see his former self as something separate from what he is now, such as on the airplane.
What is a window or screen?
This is why Charlie is being written about in the newspaper.
What is after the science convention, Charlie is a celebrity?
This theme is supported by Charlie's extreme emotional reaction to realizing Strauss and Nemur do not read as many languages as Charlie does.
What is "Intellect vs. Emotion"?
Charlie builds a custom one of these for Algernon so Charlie can study him further.
What is a maze?
This is the name of Charlie's sister.
Who is Norma?
Just as Charlie has a reflection in Algernon, Fay has a reflection in this companion pet.
What is Minnie the mouse?
This is a possible explanation for why Norma has never tried to find Charlie.
What is her mother told her Charlie was dead?
This theme is expressed when Charlie's inner self keeps him from making love to Fay.
What is "The Past & the Present"?
Charlie feels guilty when he attempts to do this as a way of getting over his sexual anxieties.
What is conduct an experiment?
This is the name of Charlie's father.
Who is Matt?
Algernon's erratic and negative behavior represents this for Charlie.
What is the decline and loss of his intelligence? (But maybe not his wisdom!)
Charlie is too nervous and upset to introduce himself to his father, Matt, at this location.
What is Matt's barbershop?
This theme is supported by Charlie's attempt to conduct an experiment with his feelings for Fay and Alice.
What is "Intellect vs. Emotion"?
Despite being genuinely kind to Charlie, Dr. Guarino scams families of children with mental disabilities by charging them money to use this.
What is a machine that improves I.Q. or intelligence levels?
This character reminds Charlie that even though he is far more intelligent than everyone else, he doesn't possess enough experience yet to have wisdom or understanding.
Who is Burt?
Dr. Guarino and Strauss & Nemur all used this on Charlie, though it only worked after the surgery.
What is a machine that improves intelligence or brain power?
This is where Charlie screams at customers mistreating a busboy with disabilities.
What is a diner?
This theme is supported by customers laughing at the busboy as well as how Charlie feels at the convention.
What is "Mistreatment of the Mentally Disabled"?
Charlies uses this technique to help him work through painful or confusing memories by jumping from one topic to the next.
What is free association?