Flowers for Algernon

Main Characters and Their Development

• Charlie Gordon - the main character, a 32-year-old mentally challenged man with an IQ of about 68, works as a janitor in a bakery. At the beginning of the story, he is simple-minded and naive, full of a desire to learn and become smarter. After the operation aimed at increasing his intelligence, Charlie becomes a genius, begins to understand the complexities of social interaction, and feels lonely, facing society's disdain for those who differ from the norm. Gradually, his mental abilities begin to deteriorate, and he returns to his previous state, but now with an awareness of the tragedy of his situation.
• Algernon - a white mouse on which the experiment to increase intelligence was first tested. Initially, Algernon demonstrates remarkable learning abilities, but then his condition rapidly declines, foreshadowing Charlie's fate.
• Dr. Strauss - one of the leading scientists directly conducting the operation on Charlie. As the story progresses, he becomes something of a mentor and even a friend to Charlie, although their relationship is strained due to differing views on the ethics and consequences of the experiment.
• Professor Nemur - the other leading scientist working on the intelligence enhancement project. Unlike Strauss, Nemur is more focused on the success of the experiment and its scientific significance, which sometimes leads to conflicts with Charlie, who sees himself more as a person than a research subject.