Characters
Who is the narrator of the story?
Charlie Gordon
What happens during Charlie’s first inkblot test?
He cannot see any pictures in the inkblot.
If a person’s hearing experiences deterioration, what is happening to the person?
The person’s hearing is becoming worse.
What point of view does the narrator use?
First person, from Charlie's point of view
Why do Charlie’s fellow workers want him fired?
They become frightened by Charlie and distrustful of his new intelligence.
Why do the doctors use Charlie in their experiment?
They believe that he is motivated to try to learn.
What kind of behavior would be most typical of someone who is introspective?
Thoughtful, inward-looking
People should not try to change what God has created.
This is an example of what?
Theme
Who is Algernon and why is he important?
Algernon is the mouse that races Charlie in mazes. He is important because he had the same operation as Charlie.
What is one aspect of the text that shows Charlie is returning to his old condition?
He starts to spell badly again.
Your piece of cake is missing, and your little sister has chocolate stains on her shirt.
This situation would most likely be an example of what vocabulary word?
Suspicion
Charlie's operation is compared to the apple in the biblical story of Adam and Eve.
This is an example of what type of reference?
Allusion
What conclusion about Charlie is most clearly supported by this excerpt?
"I hope they use me. Miss Kinnian says maybe they can make me smart. I want to be smart. My name is Charlie Gordon. I am 37 years old and 2 weeks ago was my brithday. I have nuthing more to rite now so I will close for today."
He has below-average intelligence.
What is the goal of the operation Dr. Strauss performs on Charlie?
To increase Charlie's intelligence.
What is the meaning of the Latin prefix sub-?
Hint: submarine
Under
In what ways does Charlie's operation affect his relationships with the people around him?
People don't talk to Charlie the way they used to. The intelligence drove a wedge between all the people he once knew and loved.
What is one aspect of the text that shows Charlie is returning to his old condition?
He starts to spell badly again.
What happens to Algernon in May and June?
In May, Algernon is changing. He is less cooperative; he refuses to run the maze anymore; general motivation has decreased. In June, Algernon dies.
What is the indirect object in this sentence?
The doctors gave him many tests of his intelligence.
Him
What main theme about science is most clearly suggested by Charlie’s experience?
Science may do unexpected harm