Tri Nguyen
Argumentative Essay
To quote Aristotle, “All men by nature desire knowledge.” In Daniel Keyes’s “Flowers for Algernon,” the protagonist, Charlie Gordon, sought for intelligence and defied nature. Charlie’s attempt to exceed nature’s dampeners on his life and acquire intelligence by way of operation gained him temporary intelligence and (to an extent) enlightenment, but ruined his relationships and set him back intellectually. Although Charlie did indeed experience negative setbacks in his life, it is rare (if ever) that a major decision in someone’s life doesn’t have any negative side effects whatsoever. Charlie Gordon, the main character in the short story “Flowers for Algernon,” should have had the operation to make him more intelligent because he himself was grateful to have gone through the experiment in the end, his experience contributes to science, and it helps him realize the true nature of those around him.
The first reason as to why Charlie should have gotten the operation was that he was able to realize the true nature of those around him. After the operation, Charlie was not only able to learn complex, high-level academics that would take decades to master in the span of a few months, but also understand social skills on a more intricate level. In regards to his perception of his coworkers, this sudden realization acts as a double-edged blade. To quote Charlie on April 20, “It’s a funny thing I never knew that Joe and Frank and the others liked to have me around all the time to make fun of me,” (Keyes 9). This quote shows that in the process of learning about their mistreatment, he also lost the people he had long been acquainted with. To complement this quote, Charlie also writes on July 27, “I said thanks Frank and I got choked up so I had to turn around and go into the supply room so he wouldnt see me cry. Its good to have friends,” (Keyes 21). Without the realization that his coworkers weren’t true friends, due to how they took advantage of his disability by making fun of him and even at times hurting him physically, Charlie would have never realized what it felt like to have someone stand up for him out of genuine compassion. As the text shows us, although finding out his coworkers’ true feelings regarding him did hurt him, he would’ve likely forever been ignorant if he did not accept the operation; never to experience true compassion and friendship.
Leading onto the second reason as to why Charlie should have had the operation, it allowed for Charlie to contribute more to science than many scientists do in a lifetime. While his contributions rest on the disproving of his seniors’ theory and experiment, it provides valuable insight into how and why the regression had occurred. On May 31st, Charlie writes, “Dr. Nemur says I’m trying to cram a lifetime of research and thought into a few weeks. I know I should rest, but I’m driven on by something inside that won’t let me stop” (Keyes 17). This evidence shows how, due to his drive and motivation, he was able to conduct research that should’ve otherwise taken years in a short amount of time. Another piece of evidence that also expresses this is on June 4th, “… experimental failure or the disproving of a theory was as important to the advancement of learning as a success would be. … I am sorry, however, that my own contribution to the field must rest upon the ashes of the work of two men I regard so highly” (Keyes 17). The disproving of his seniors’ theories, despite it being negative news for him on a personal level, serves as important data and knowledge that is now accessible to the wider scientific community; if nothing else, it serves as a demonstration of what not to do (as they now will this specific experiment will fail). These quotes convey how, on an empirical and objective level, Charlie was able to accomplish quite an impressive feat as a scientist. This shows us that, aside from the emotional and social aspects of things, his decision to undergo the surgery was a good choice because he wouldn’t have been able to contribute to science otherwise.
In the grand scheme of the discussion, the biggest factor as to whether Charlie should or should not have gotten the operation relies on how he reflects on the events preceding the operation. The reason of whether Charlie himself should or should not have done something, not viewed from an empirical success-failure standpoint, holds his own ideas with almost unparalleled importance. To quote Charlie on July 28th, “Im glad I got a second chanse to be smart becaus I lerned a lot of things that I never even new were in this world and Im grateful that I saw it all for a little bit,” (Keyes 21). This excerpt illustrates to us how, despite all of the negative setbacks that Charlie might’ve gone through, he not only doesn’t regret his decision but is grateful for it; it allowed him to have so many new opportunities (even if it was only temporary). Also written on July 28th, “I remember a littel bit how nice I had a feeling with the blue book that has the torn cover when I red it” (Keyes 21). This quote shows that Charlie still reflects on the fond memories and feelings that he had experienced as a result of the operation, even if he can no longer replicate these feelings to their fullest extent. These two quotes show how, on the most fundamental level, Charlie was happy with his choice to undergo the operation and try to defy nature; therefore, the operation was a good decision in the end.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, one may argue that Charlie’s decision to undergo the operation was a poor choice because it left him worse off than he was before. While it is true that the text does suggest that Charlie’s intelligence and physical health might potentially deteriorate to a level that’s worse than he was originally, Charlie, in the end, is not shown to be especially bothered by this. The reason Charlie leaves for a new city at the end of the story is because he knows that many of the people in his life pity him; he left so that they’re able to live in relative peace. All of the new experiences that he was able to have and the feelings connected to those experiences still resonate with Charlie, and the good memories of the past outweigh the negative setbacks he’ll have in the future. Thus, while it is true that he might be slightly worse off in the present than he was in the past, it was a worthy sacrifice for all of the new experiences he was able to undergo as a result of the operation.
After considering the positives and negatives of Charlie Gordon’s decision to defy nature and acquire intelligence artificially, it is concluded that Charlie indeed should’ve gone through with the operation. In the end, he was thankful to have been allowed to see and reminisce on what it was like to be intelligent, contributed to science in a way most people wouldn’t be able to, and realized what the people in his life were really like. Although there were indeed negative consequences as a result of Charlie’s decision, the positives, both on an individual and on a larger scale (the scientific research) outweigh the setbacks. Given the evidence provided, Charlie Gordon’s decision to undergo the nature-defying operation was a wise choice.
Slovenly Scholar 