Literary Elements
Symbolism- In the novel, Algernon symbolizes the future for Charlie. Algernon’s intelligence growth shows that Charlie’s should improve as well. And when Algernon’s intelligence begins to decline, Charlie’s later follows. Algernon also symbolizes Charlie’s emotional independence. After Charlie releases him from the cage and abandons the lab where the experiment took place, he had made the decision on his own to do what he thought was right.
Also, Charlie’s journal symbolizes the intelligence increase and decline itself. For example in the beginning of the novel, Charlie’s grammar and spelling are very poor. However, once he is experimented on, it gradually begins to improves until the end of the novel when it again starts to decline as the result of the experiment was not permanent.
Foreshadowing- “A nice cop brot me back home… I think maybe i fell but Joe Carp says it was the cop. They beat up drunks sometimes. I don’t think so. Miss kinnian says cops are there to help people.”
This passage shows that Charlie is starting to think for himself. He is skeptical of what Joe Carp said about the cop rather than immediately believing anything he hears. This foreshadows that Charlie will continue to become more intelligent and be able to make important decisions for himself.
Mood- “How such people think nothing of abusing a man born with a low intelligence”
This passage, much like the entire book itself, presents an angry and empathetic mood s well as shows how inconsiderate and cruel people in society can be today. Enough to the point where they would make fun of someone who was born with a mental illness. Someone who can’t help being who they are.
Also, Charlie’s journal symbolizes the intelligence increase and decline itself. For example in the beginning of the novel, Charlie’s grammar and spelling are very poor. However, once he is experimented on, it gradually begins to improves until the end of the novel when it again starts to decline as the result of the experiment was not permanent.
Foreshadowing- “A nice cop brot me back home… I think maybe i fell but Joe Carp says it was the cop. They beat up drunks sometimes. I don’t think so. Miss kinnian says cops are there to help people.”
This passage shows that Charlie is starting to think for himself. He is skeptical of what Joe Carp said about the cop rather than immediately believing anything he hears. This foreshadows that Charlie will continue to become more intelligent and be able to make important decisions for himself.
Mood- “How such people think nothing of abusing a man born with a low intelligence”
This passage, much like the entire book itself, presents an angry and empathetic mood s well as shows how inconsiderate and cruel people in society can be today. Enough to the point where they would make fun of someone who was born with a mental illness. Someone who can’t help being who they are.