1 / 12

Flowers for Algernon

Flowers for Algernon. Daniel Keyes. Introduction. In this short story, doctors experiment with a surgical method to increase the intelligence of a mentally challenged man. Author Daniel Keyes. "[I am] fascinated by the complexities of the human mind."  Born 1927 in Brooklyn, New York

dian
Download Presentation

Flowers for Algernon

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Flowers for Algernon Daniel Keyes

  2. Introduction • In this short story, doctors experiment with a surgical method to increase the intelligence of a mentally challenged man.

  3. Author Daniel Keyes • "[I am] fascinated by the complexities of the human mind."  • Born 1927 in Brooklyn, New York • Majored in Psychology at Brooklyn College • Worked in publishing and fashion photography • Taught at his old high school • Taught writing and literature at Ohio University

  4. http://www.edutopia.org/multiple-intelligences-howard-gardner-video.http://www.edutopia.org/multiple-intelligences-howard-gardner-video. • Howard Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligence. Power point and mini-survey re: how YOU learn best.

  5. Essential Question • How does intellect and character (traits) figure into identity (who you are)?

  6. We will: • Determine word meaning through context • Review Plot Elements  • Explore Theme (life lesson) • Define and identify flashback (father) • Define and identify foreshadow (what happens to Algernon happens to Charlie) • Understand Symbolism (Algernon and Charlie) • Introduce allusion (Adam and Eve) • Analyze the value of adaptations (from a creative perspective)

  7. Themes • 1.  The grass is not always greener on the other side of the fence (idiom--literal meaning vs. figurative meaning). • 2. Using Human Subjects in Scientific Experimentation is a moral issue.  • 3. Mistreatment of the Mentally Disabled • 4. The Tension between Intellect and Emotion

  8. Academic Vocabulary • lexicon • identity • context • characterization--A writer develops a character by describing the character's physical appearance, through the character's speech, thoughts and behavior, or reveal the attitudes and reactions of others toward the character. These techniques are called  • genetic trait • character trait • perception (why did Charlie's change?)

  9. Vocabulary for Psychology • IQ • Rorschach • inkblot • Thematic Apperception • maze • motivation • Einstein's Theory of Relativity • conscious • subconscious • neurosurgeon • inferiority complex • motor activity • progressive amnesia • cerebral convolutions • fugues • regression

  10. New Vocabulary from Text • absurd • hypothesis • impair • introspective • naivete • opportunist • proportional • Regression • sensation • shrew • specialization • statistically • syndrome • tangible • vacuous • deteriorate

  11. Critical Thinking Questions • Print these out to answer them. • Do you think the doctors should have performed the operation on Charlie? Why or why not?  • Was Charlie happier before or after he became a genius? • What, if anything, has Charlie gained by the end of the story? • If Charlie were asked to take part in another experiment to increase his intelligence, do you think he would? Give reasons for your opinion. • What kind of a society would we have if everyone became super-intelligent? How would society be different from the one we live in today?  • "Flowers for Algernon" was first published in 1959 and has been translated into many languages around the world. Why do you think this story has such worldwide appeal? • Why do you think Charlie's friends are uncomfortable around him when he is smart? • In the beginning of the story, Frank Rielly and Joe Carp make fun of Carlie, but at the end, the stick up for him. Are they truly his friends? Why are why not? What are the characteristics of a good friend?  

  12. Work Products • Plot Graph • Characterization Graphic Organizer • Charlie had a dream to get smarter. One page free write on your dreams (future, family, character, places--what do you want out of life). Show Victoria Falls Power point. Collage re dreams (pictures that symbolize them).  • Letter of Recommendation--Pretend you are Mr. Donnegan, Charlie's boss, and write a letter of recommendation that might help him get a new job.  • Final: Book Review using the plot graph • http://teacher.scholastic.com/writewit/bookrev/index.htm • Final: Need to be able to summarize the book using the plot graph.. (characters, setting, conflict, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution). Understand the definitions of symbolism, foreshadowing, flashback, theme, and allusion, and how they are shown in the short story. • Practice Common Core Assessment in Drive

More Related