Flowers for Algernon. In the short story “Flowers for Algernon” by Daniel Keyes, the main character Charlie Gordon has an IQ of 68 and desires to become intelligent. He is chosen to undergo an operation to increase his intelligence level to 204, however he is unaware of the consequences that may follow. His experiment is not worth the risk because he realizes that humans can be cruel, the experiment is not permanent, and he loses his friends …showed first 75 words of 591 total…

…showed last 75 words of 591 total…Charlie Gordon reaches his peak IQ of 204 realizing too late the risks involved in the experimental operation. Along the way he realizes that people who are mentally challenged are treated differently. He then quickly realizes the operation only lasts a short period. Finally Charlie is abandoned by his friends and he fired from his job. Therefore because of Charlie’s rapid increase and decrease in intelligence it is evident he loses more then he gains.