In the novel Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes, the protagonist Charlie Gordon undergoes a surgery that increases his intelligence. While the surgery initially appears to be a success, it eventually leads to Charlie's downfall. This essay will argue that Charlie was better off before the surgery, as it ultimately leads to his emotional and psychological suffering.
One of the main reasons why Charlie was better off before the surgery is that it leads to his alienation from his friends and family. As Charlie's intelligence increases, he begins to realize the limitations of his former life and the people around him. He states, "I'm not like them anymore. I'm different. I'm alone" (Keyes, p. 97). This quote demonstrates how the surgery has caused Charlie to feel isolated and disconnected from the people he once held dear.
Another reason why Charlie was better off before the surgery is that it leads to his emotional suffering. As Charlie's intelligence increases, he begins to understand the complexities of life and the world around him. This newfound knowledge causes him to feel overwhelmed and overwhelmed by the world. He states, "I'm scared. I'm scared of the things I know and the things I don't know. I'm scared of the power I have to hurt people" (Keyes, p. 135). This quote demonstrates how the surgery has caused Charlie to feel overwhelmed and powerless in the face of his newfound knowledge.
Finally, Charlie was better off before the surgery because it leads to his psychological suffering. As Charlie's intelligence increases, he begins to realize the futility of his life and the world around him. He states, "I'm so alone. I'm so alone and so scared. I'm so scared of the world and the things in it. I'm so scared of the power I have to hurt people" (Keyes, p. 145). This quote demonstrates how the surgery has caused Charlie to feel isolated and powerless in the face of his newfound knowledge.
In conclusion, Charlie was better off before the surgery, as it ultimately leads to his emotional and psychological suffering. The surgery causes Charlie to feel alienated from his friends and family, overwhelmed by the world, and isolated and powerless in the face of his newfound knowledge. As such, Charlie would have been better off if he had never undergone the surgery in the first place.