Characters
The main character who undergoes the experimental surgery to increase his intelligence.
Who is Charlie Gordan?
This is Charlie’s main motivation for undergoing the experiment.
What is to be smart?
This theme addresses the consequences of seeking higher intelligence.
What is the pursuit of intelligence and its consequences?
This is how Charlie feels when he’s selected for the experiment.
(What is excited and hopeful?)
This event marks Charlie’s first realization that people have been laughing at him.
(What is realizing his coworkers were mocking him?)
This character is a white mouse who has had the same operation as Charlie.
Who is Algernon?
The test that frustrates Charlie because he can’t see the images others describe.
What is the inkblot test or Rorschach test?
This theme highlights the importance of treating others with compassion.
What is kindness and empathy?
Charlie feels this emotion after realizing how his coworkers treated him.
(What is ashamed?)
This is how Charlie reacts to Algernon’s decline and death.
(What is fearing the same fate and burying Algernon with flowers?)
Charlie’s teacher and mentor who believes in his potential.
Who is Miss Kinnian?
The feeling Charlie initially feels after the surgery when he doesn’t notice any immediate changes.
What is disappointed?
This lesson teaches Charlie that some words don’t follow logical rules and that punctuation makes writing clearer.
What is the importance of spelling and punctuation?
Charlie experiences these emotions when he finally beats Algernon in a race.
(What are joy and pride?)
These changes in Algernon’s behavior signal problems with the experiment.
(What are aggression and a decline in his abilities?)
This scientist is more focused on the fame the experiment could bring.
Who is Dr. Nemur?
This device plays educational content while Charlie sleeps to help his brain learn faster.
What is the "Crazy TV?"
Increased intelligence leads to this emotional struggle for Charlie.
What is loneliness?
This event makes Charlie empathize with the new dishwasher boy.
(What is being reminded of his former self?)
This incident shows Charlie’s growing empathy after his operation.
(What is defending the new dishwasher boy when others mock him?)
The person that conducts the experiment on Charlie and is more empathetic toward him.
Who is Dr. Strauss?
The theory Charlie develops that shows intelligence gained through the experiment deteriorates proportionally to the amount gained.
What is The Algernon-Gordon Effect?
The experiment raises this ethical question.
What is whether it is right to alter someone’s intelligence without fully understanding the consequences?
This is Charlie’s greatest fear as the experiment’s effects begin to wear off.
(What is losing his intelligence and abilities?)
This is Charlie’s final request at the end of the story.
(What is to have flowers placed on Algernon’s grave?)