"Flowers for Algernon" by Daniel Keyes

Here is the vocabulary.
Here is the "FFA" Jeopardy.


How does our society treat people with mental deficiencies?
If you had a chance to be (a lot) smarter, would you take it?
How important is intelligence to you?
Rorschach Blots
Actual Rorschach Test
Examples of pics used in the Thematic Apperception Test: One, Two.
Quiz 1
  (p84-90 -- Reports 1-7) (10 points) Check responding and PRs.
  1. Why did Charlie have trouble with the Thematic Apperception Test?
  2. (2) The main reason they want to use Charlie for this operation is his motivation. Give two examples that show how motivated he is to "be smart."
  3. What was Algernon's "motor-vation" for running the maze?
  4. What possible down-side of the operation is Miss Kinnian worried about?
  5. How much will the operation increase Charlie's intelligence?
  6. Dr. Strauss/Dr. Nemur. Which one seems to be on Charlie's side more?
  7. The first thing he learns when the operation is over is...
  8. What does Dr. Strauss want to see more of in Charlie's progress reports?
  9. Why would the scientists have Charlie race Algernon, and time them?
  10. (Bonus for extra credit!) Before the operation, Dr. Nemur and Dr. Strauss are talking too fast, and using vocabulary too advanced for Charlie to follow it all. Help him out. Figure out which word Charlie was trying to get. Yes, you have to spell it correctly. (3 = +1)
Quiz 2
  1. What makes Charlie want to be friends with Algernon?
  2. (2) "a card" = _________ "potted" = _________
  3. Why does Miss Kinnian "get something in her eye" as she is reading Charlie's progress reports and talking to him about them?
  4. How does Charlie's interest in Robinson Crusoe compared to his reactions to the Thematic Apperception Test and the Rorschach Test show how much he's changed? a) He can tell lies now.  b) He can imagine something beyond the literal. c) He can spell better.  d) He has a longer attention span.
Quiz 3(p98-106)
  1. Dr. Strauss tells Charlie he can study all the college subjects, except_________, until he gives permission.
  2. (2) Dr. Strauss compares IQ to _______, while Dr. Nemur compares it to_________.
  3. Which one does Burt, the guy who administers the IQ tests agree with?
  4. When Charlie takes the Rorschach test again, he...a) still doesn't get it.  b) is confused because Burt words the instructions differently.  c) is worried he still won't find the pictures.  d) can only see one thing in each blot.
  5. As Charlie's intelligence starts to increase, he notices that everyone seems to be...a) supportive of him.  b) hateful toward him.  c) ignoring him.  d) afraid of him.
  6. At the top of p106, Miss Kinnian again worries that the operation may have been a mistake. This time it's not about the fact that it might be temporary, but that...

   1. What does Fanny Girden compare Charlie's operation to?
   2. What makes Charlie realize that he has surpassed even Dr. Strauss in intelligence?
   3. Give an example of what Charlie calls "simple, everyday" conversation with Miss Kinnian.
   4. Charlie's first reaction to the dishwasher dropping the dishes was...?
   5. His second reaction was to....?
   6. What does Charlie say "hurts most of all" now that he has realized people were laughing at him?
   7. To what does Charlie compare his great desire to be smart, his need to increase his low intelligence (p112)?
   Reread the poem "the lesson of the moth" on p250. How does this relate to Charlie?
Charlie Check (8)

   1. What is the first foreshadowing that Charlie's operation might be temporary?
   2. How does Charlie's "motor-vation" help him now that he realizes he might lose his intelligence?
   3. (p115) What does Charlie mean by "rest upon the ashes of the work"?
   4. Reread the report for June 10 (p117). What is the the tone of Charlie's report?  a) emotional.  b) fearful.  c) matter-of-fact.  d) hopeful.
   5. Reread lines 1050 and 1051 (p117). Translate Charlie's hypothesis.
   6. When it becomes clear that Charlie is losing his intelligence, he...a) blames Dr. Strauss and the others. b) remembers that he knew the risks.  c) is mad at Miss Kinnian for encouraging him.  d) a and b.
   7. Name one of the things Charlie tries to do, but can't any more.
   8.  In what order is Charlie losing his knowledge?


"FFA" Wrap.

   1. (p121) What does the doctor's wink at Mrs. Flynn mean?
   2. What's the "Charlie Gordon" that Charlie pulls?
   3. Why does Charlie leave NY?
   4. (Quote) Is Charlie happier at the beginning of the story or the end?
   5. Which of the following is probably closest to expressing the theme of "FFA"? a) Smart people get treated better. b) Intelligence matters more than how people feel. c) Enjoy life experiences to the fullest no matter how brief. d) You shouldn't try to be something you're not