CHARLIE GORDON’S STRUGGLE AGAINST MENTAL DISABILITIES AS REFLECTED IN DANIEL KEYES’S FLOWERS FOR ALGERNON.

CHARLIE GORDON’S STRUGGLE AGAINST MENTAL DISABILITIES

AS REFLECTED IN DANIEL KEYES’S FLOWERS FOR ALGERNON

A THESIS

Submitted as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Sarjana Degree of English Department Faculty of Letters and Humanities State Islamic University

Sunan Ampel Surabaya

By: Ainun Najib

Reg. Number: A33211090

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT

FACULTY OF LETTERS AND HUMANITIES

STATE ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY SUNAN AMPEL SURABAYA 2016

CHARLIE GORDON’S STRUGGLE AGAINST MENTAL DISABILITIES

AS REFLECTED IN DANIEL KEYES’S FLOWERS FOR ALGERNON

A THESIS

Submitted as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Sarjana Degree of English Department Faculty of Letters and Humanities State Islamic University

Sunan Ampel Surabaya

By: Ainun Najib

Reg. Number: A33211090

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT

DEDICATION

I proudly dedicate this thesis to my great parents H.

Abdullah Nafi’ & Hj. Umani

, my special family and every

people who always pray and support for my life every time

until now.

Also, this thesis is dedicated to The Special One who

has supported me in any condition.

Thank You

MOTTO

“LEARN FROM YESTERDAY,

LIVE FOR TODAY,

HOPE FOR TOMORROW”

-ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Firstly, In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful, praise be to Allah SWT lord of the world, so that the writer can finish this thesis entitled “Charlie Gordon’s Struggle Against Mental Disabilities as Reflected in Daniel Keyes’s Flowers For Algernon” as a partial fulfillment of the requirement for the graduate degree. Secondly, peace be upon our great prophet Muhammad SAW as the messenger of God who guides the moslem from the darkness into the light way.

The writer is fully aware that this thesis still has many weaknesses. In addition, this thesis would not be finished without other’s helps therefore. In this chance he would like to express his gratitude and appreciation to:

1. Mrs. Itsna Syahadatud Dinurriyah, M.A as my wonderful advisor who has spent her time patiently to help, guidance, motivate, check, criticize and make sure this thesis run well. She is the best lecturer that the writer ever know.

2. Dr. H. Imam Ghazali, MA. as the Dean of Faculty of Arts and Humanities State Islamic University Sunan Ampel Surabaya.

3. Dr. Mohammad Kurjum, M. Ag as the Head of English Department. Big thanks delivered to him for his sign and agreement.

4. All lectures of English Department who have helped the writer in any condition during study in UIN Sunan Ampel Surabaya and since they have

5. The writer’s beloved parents; H. Abdullah Nafi’ and Hj. Umani, and his old brothers who gives unlimited support, love, pray and affection since the beginning of the semester until the finishing of this thesis.

6. The writer’s beloved friends Zahra, Taufik, Budi, Nu’man, and TRIPLE C for their support, loyalty, cheering and time either in happiness or sadness. 7. The special one for her support every time in any condition.

Although this thesis was done seriously, it is still far from being perfect; therefore, any criticism and suggestions will be gladly acquired.

Surabaya, 19th _{January 2016} The Writer

Ainun Najib Reg. Number: A33211090

ABSTRACT

Najib, Ainun. 2016. Charlie Gordon’s Struggle Against Mental Disabilities as

Reflected in Daniel Keyes’s Flowers for Algernon. English Department, Faculty of Letters and Humanities, State Islamic University Sunan Ampel Surabaya.

Advisor: Itsna Syahadatud Dinurriyah, M.A

This thesis tries to analyze Daniel Keyes’s novel entitled Flowers for Algernon. This novel tells about a retarded man named Charlie Gordon who wants to be a genius man. This thesis focuses in analyzing Charlie’s psycho change. Furthermore, by focuses to the problem above this thesis uses psychoanalysis theory by Erikson and explains step by step on Charlie’s psycho change. The formalism theory is involved in this study to describe Charlie’s character.

This study finds Charlie’s psycho change is influenced by mother desire to make Charlie normal and smart. After Charlie accepts an experimental surgery from Doctor Strauss and Professor Nemur, Charlie can remember his past and the harsh reality about his life.

INTISARI

Najib, Ainun. 2016. Charlie Gordon’s Struggle Against Mental Disabilities as

Reflected in Daniel Keyes’s Flowers for Algernon. English Department, Faculty of Letters and Humanities, State Islamic University Sunan Ampel Surabaya.

Dosen Pembimbing: Itsna Syahadatud Dinurriyah, M.A

Skripsi ini mencoba untuk menganalisa novel karya Daniel Keyes yang berjudul Flowers for Algernon. Novel ini menceritakan tentang seorang yang terbelakang bernama Charlie Gordon yang ingin menjadi seseorang jenius. Skripsi ini fokus pada analisa perubahan psiko Charlie. Selanjutnya, dengan fokus pada masalah di atas skripsi ini menggunakan teori psikoanalisis oleh Erikson dan menjelaskan tahap demi tahap perubahan psiko Charlie. Teori Formalism dilibatkan untuk menjelaskan tokoh Charlie.

Penyelidikan ini menemukan bahwa perubahan psiko Charlie dipengaruhi oleh keinginan ibunya yang ingin menjadikan Charlie normal dan pandai. Setelah Charlie menyetujui untuk operasi percobaan dari dokter Strauss dan professor Nemur, Charlie dapat mengingat masa lalunya dan kenyataan pahit tentang kehidupannya.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Inside Cover Page ... i

Inside Title Page ... ii

Declaration Page... iii

Dedication Page ... iv

Motto ... v

Advisor Approval Page ... vi

Examiner Approval Page ... vii

Acknowledgements ... viii

Table of Contents ... x

Abstract ... xii

Intisari ... xiii

CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION ... 1

1.1 Background of Study ... 1

1.2 Statement of the Problem ... 3

1.3 Objective of the Study ... 3

1.4 Scope and Limitation ... 4

1.5 Significance of the Study ... 4

CHAPTER II LITERARY REVIEW ... 8

2.1. Theoretical Framework ... 8

2.1.1 Development Theory ... 8

2.1.2 New Criticism ... 14

2.1.2.1 Character ... 15

2.1.2.2 Characterization ... 16

2.2 Review of Related Studies ... 17

CHAPTER III ANALYSIS ... 20

3.1 The Description of Charlie as Character in Daniel Keyes’s Flowers for Algernon ... 20

3.2 Charlie Gordon’s Effort to be a Genius Man in Daniel Keyes’s Flowers for Algernon ... 27

CHAPTER IV CONCLUSION ... 41

REFERENCES ... 43

BIOGRAPHY ... 45

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CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION

1.1Background of Study

Literature is a writing which expresses and communicates through feelings and attitude towards life (Rees 9). Literature is closely related to life because it is the work of human creativity, which represents some aspects of life, such as experience, problem, and the others. By studying literature, somebody will obtain not only pleasure but also knowledge. There are many kinds of literary works, such as drama, poetry, short story and novel. According to Kennedy (203) novel is a book-length story in prose, whose author try to create sense while we read, we experience actual life. The novel describe of real life and manners and of the time in which it was written.

Flowers for Algernon is a 1966 novel that was written by Daniel Keyes. At the first time, Keyes conceived Flowers for Algernon as a short story in 1959 and was expanded into a full-length novel in 1966. This novel is very popular,

interesting and famous in that era. Because of that, Flowers for Algernon sold out more than 5 million copies and reach “Hugo Awards” and “Nebula Awards”. This novel was also adopted as a film version was released in 1968 with title “Charly” and TV series version in 2000 with same title.

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subject for an experimental surgery that researchers hope will increase his

intelligence. A procedure has been successful when tested on a lab mouse named Algernon. Researcher –Professor Nemur- command to Charlie to write everything that happens to him before and after surgery. Charlie’s writing is very bad. Many error-spelling can be found in his diary. It shows that he has Language Deficit and can be categorized as symptom of disabilities mental, but he does not surrender until becomes super-genius. In the process to be super-genius, Charlie

remembered many memories when he was a child. Many times Charlie being scolded by his mother and his sister because of his inability. Whereas, Charlie never revenge their treatment even it makes Charlie get more spirit to improve his ability. In the end of the story, Charlie becomes stupid again. It have been

predicted by the researchers that the surgery is not immortal. Although, Charlie receive it with happiness because he never feels it when he is in super-genius level. This study use Flowers for Algernon because many interested parts contain in the novel. One of them is part when Charlie attempt to change his destiny. Charlie does not surrender until his desire reached.

In this research, this study will analyze the main character of Flowers for Algernon, Charlie Gordon, by development theory proposed by Eric Erikson and explains about his psychological problem. This novel will be analyzed by using Psychoanalysis theory. Psychoanalysis is a method of studying the mind and treating mental and emotional disorders based on revealing and investigating the role of the unconscious mind (http://www.thefreedictionary.com/psychoanalysis).

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This thesis focuses on the psychology of Charlie Gordon and what he does to reach his super-genius ability.

There are some related previous studies which are relevant to the study. The first one is Desy Eka Fatmawati. She wrote a Journal entitled Revealing Charlie Gordon’s Trauma in Daniel Keyes’s Flowers for Algernon (2014). The second is from Yuliana, Student of Binus University. She wrote a thesis entitled Structural Analysis of Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes: Signifying the Needs of Main Character (2008). The third is from Rini Agustina. She wrote a thesis entitled A Short Happy Moment of Charlie’s Life in Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes (2012). Based on the explanation above, this study takes the title:”Charlie Gordon’s Struggle against Mental Disabilities as Reflected in Daniel Keyes’s Flowers for Algernon”

1.2Statement of Problems

Based on the background of study above, the problems will be formulated as follows:

1.2.1 How is Charlie Gordon characterized in Flowers for Algernon? 1.2.2 How does Charlie Gordon reach his desire to be a genius man?

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1.3Objective of Study

According to the problem statements above, the main objectives in this research as follows:

1.3.1 To describe the characterization of Charlie Gordon in Flowers for Algernon.

1.3.2 To describe Charlie Gordon’s desire to be a genius man.

1.4Scope and Limitation

In order to prevent non-relevant problems, the study will be limited to the novel that is written by Daniel Keyes entitled Flowers for Algernon. The study will focuses on the characters and their characterizations represented in the novel. To answer statement of problem stated above, Charlie Gordon character and his characterization becomes the most important point to analyze. Scope of study from this research focuses on the part of novel where Charlie Gordon doing his daily life as an idiot before and after to be subject of experimental surgery. To avoid the discussion out of the topic, this study will limit discussion in Charlie Gordon’s process going to be Super-Genius man.

1.5Significance of Study

Actually, this research has several significances. Theoretically, it is hoped that this research can be used as helpful reference in order to understand the content of this novel and how the psychoanalysis theory applies in this research.

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This research is also hoped to be studied by students, lecturers, or other people who are interested to the novel or psychoanalysis theory.

Practically, it is hoped that the research can be used as reference for the students who are analyzed in this novel or other novel. It can be used by teacher or lecturer who uses the research as a supporting source for teaching. Also, it will be useful to improve the knowledge and can be additional reference for English Department students or other student in this world who are studying literature.

1.6Method of Study 1.6.1 Types of Research

This is library research. Library research works through many books and other references like articles, journals, and websites in doing research to support the topic. Here, this research takes the novel as the object. So, this research also works using some material like books concerning the topic, some literature books, journals and website. These aims use to support the idea of the topic.

1.6.2 Sources of Data

There are two sources of data, primary data and secondary data. In this research, the source of primary data is the novel itself that is written by Daniel Keyes. Whereas the secondary data is taken from some critical works and some books that concern with the novel and the explanation psychoanalysis theory.

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1.6.3 Method of Collecting Data

This research uses the documentation method. First step is looking for the novel, other references to get data that related with this research and the

psychoanalysis theory by Sigmund Freud. Then, this study focuses to the main source of data Flowers for Algernon that will be read repeatedly and

comprehended deeply. In this case, this research does not use original novel only, but use translation of the novel in Indonesian language and watching movie related with this novel also. In addition, this study also search more data to get the understanding of novel and the theory by web surfing.

1.6.4 Method of Analyzing Data

In analyzing data, the research uses the list of data to select the necessary data that can be analyzed in this research. The next step is collecting and

classifying the data concerning the cases of the research. In this step, the research will apply theory that is connected with the problem of the research to be

described and to analyze the data with the theory. After that, the research concludes the discussion of the data into the conclusion that is important to be read.

1.7Definition of Key Terms

To help the reader understanding some definition of key terms used in this study, it is essential to give a little explanation for it.

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1.7.1 Mental Disabilities : Mental disorder; a mental or bodily condition marked primarily by sufficient disorganization of personality, mind, and emotions to seriously impair the normal psychological functioning of the

individual—called also mental illness (Encyclopedia Britannica).

1.7.2 Struggle : An act of make forceful or violent effort to get free of constriction; big spirit to reach something.

(Oxford Dictionary 548)

1.7.3 Super-Genius : An extremely smart person; ability without practice; brilliant; extraordinary intelligence (Patricia Polacco 3)

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CHAPTER 2 LITERARY REVIEW

2.1Theoretical Framework

This chapter focuses on discussing some theories which are going to be used as a guidance of conducting this study. Actually, there are many theories used to analyze this novel, but psychoanalysis would be the proper one.

Psychoanalysis theory used in this research is Erik Erikson’s theory. In his theory, Erikson divides human development into eight stages. Then, the supporting theories used in this study is new criticism theory.

Through psychoanalysis theory, this research can analyze psychological aspect of character in this novel. Whereas, new criticism theory can analyze characterization of the main character in this novel, Charlie Gordon. Those theories are explained as follows:

2.1.1. Development Theory

This research will analyze the character’s identity using understanding of psychology. Erik Erikson’s theory of development is one of the best-known theories of personality in psychology. Much like Sigmund Freud, Erikson believes that personality develops in a series of stages. Erik Erikson has been the most influential writer on identity in the past two decades. He creates the term identity crisis and believes that it is one of the most important conflicts people face in development. According to Erikson, an identity crisis is a time of intensive analysis and exploration of different ways of looking at oneself

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(psychology.about.com/od/theoriesofpersonality/a/identitycrisis.htm). Such crisis occurs during the teenage years in which people struggle between feelings of identity versus role confusion (Erikson 11).

Each Erikson’s development stages are characterized by a different conflict that must be resolved by the individual. When the environment makes new demands on people, the conflicts arise. If a person is unable to resolve a conflict at a particular stage, they will confront and struggle with it later in life. Each confrontation with the environment is called crisis as the turning point faced at each developmental (Schultz 211).

Erikson divides the total life-span into eight stages. There are trust versus mistrust, autonomy versus shame and doubt, initiative versus guilt, industry versus inferiority, identify versus role confusion, intimacy versus isolation,

generativist versus stagnation, and ego integrity versus despair (Pikunas 14). Each stages will be explained as follows:

Stage 1 - Trust versus Mistrust

The first stage of Erikson’s theory is basic trust versus basic mistrust (7). The first stage occurs to infant between birth and one year of age approximately. Erikson states that the basic strength of the first stage is hope, or the expectation that difficulties in life, presenting whatever challenges they may, will eventually result in a positive outcome. This sense of hope is, in turn, needed to meet the

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from primary caregivers such as mother. However, the infant’s needs are not merely oral and are not primarily sexual. In addition to experiencing pleasure from breast or bottle, the child needs physical contact and consistency in attention (Erikson 7). It means, to develops the infant’s ability of trust, the infant not only needs source of food, but needs affection and attention from people around them also. If the infant does not get their need, the infant will feel mistrust.

Stage 2 - Autonomy versus Shame and Doubt

The second stage of Erikson’s theory is Autonomy versus Shame and Doubt. The second stage occur during early childhood about 1-3 years old.

According to Erikson, the toddler struggles to gain a sense of autonomy or control of bodily functions, large, and small motor skills, should be quite obvious to the parents of such children. Walking, talking, and later dressing and feeding oneself, as well as learning to control bowel functions, are all tasks that the child learns during this stage. Increasingly, she or he wants to do these things without adult help (8). It means, if caregivers especially their parents encourage self-sufficient behavior, toddlers develop a sense of autonomy, a sense of being able to handle many problems on their own. However, if caregivers demand too much, refuse to let children perform tasks of which they are capable, or ridicule early attempts at self-sufficiency, children may instead develop shame and doubt about their ability to handle problems.

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Stage 3 - Initiative versus Guilt

The third stage of Erikson’s theory is Initiative versus Guilt. This stage occur in the child about 3-6 years old. Some people called this period as preschool era. According of Erikson, Children at this age are extremely active and mobile, or in Erikson’s terms, locomotive. They are talkative, and they experiment and learn through imaginative play (10).It means, at this stage children are learning to master the world around them, learning basic skills and principles of physics. They also learn some regular activity like how to zip and tie, count and speak with ease. In the other case, guilt occurs when the child’s developing conscience feel in competition with the parent ( Erikson 11). It means, the child’s guilt develops from their parent itself. The parents discourage the child from doing some independent activities or force the child to do a good behavior so hard.

Stage 4 - Industry versus Inferiority

The fourth stage of Erikson’s theory is Industry versus Inferiority. This stage occur in the child from approximately age 7-12 years old, when the child sit in elementary school generally. Erikson states the child that is ill prepared for school or lacks the tools for learning from life’s experience will despair. Successful resolution of crisis at this stage stems largely from preparation at earlier stages (11). It means, the child must be ready to face the competence in their school. If the child can complete the competence in

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Stage 5 - Identity versus Confusion

The fifth stage of Erikson’s theory is identity versus role confusion. This stage occur in the child from approximately age 13-18 years old. This period is transitional period from childhood to adulthood. According to Erikson,

Adolescence is a time of great change; about the body and the sexual organs mature, new expectations for social and academic adjustments arise with the transition to middle school, self-image typically suffers, and life can be very stressful, especially in the earlier transition stage. The basic task of this period is to separate oneself from parents and to assume an identity (11). During

adolescence, people are exploring their independence and developing a sense of self . If they are receive proper encouragement and reinforcement through personal exploration, they will emerge from this stage with a strong sense of self and a feeling of independence and control. If they are unsure of their beliefs and desires, the result is they will be insecure and confused about themselves and the future.

Stage 6 - Intimacy versus Isolation

The sixth stage of Erikson’s theory is intimacy versus isolation. This stage occur to the young adult age 18-40 years old. According to Erikson, intimacy and mutual sharing with another is the basic strength of this stage (13). Erikson believes that a strong sense of personal identity is important for couple to

developing intimate relationships. The negative side of this stage is isolation. (13) It happens when the adolescence doesn’t get an comfortable in their relationship.

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So, from this problem, it can lead the adolescence feel isolation, loneliness or sometimes they feel depression.

Stage 7 - Generativity versus Stagnation

The seventh stage of Erikson’s theory is generativity versus stagnation. This stage occur in the adulthood age 40-65 years old approximately. During adulthood, people continue to build their lives, focusing on career, settle down within a relationship, begin their own families and develop a sense of being a part of the bigger picture (14). It means this period is the right time for the adulthood concern to the next generation. the opposing concept is generativist is stagnation or the loss of self in self-absorption (Erikson 14). It means that the stagnant stops to be a productive member of society and uninvolved in the world.

Stage 8 - Integrity versus Despair

The last stage of Erikson’s theory is integrity versus despair. This stage occur during old age and is focused on reflecting back on life (17). According to Erikson, Integrity in the later years of life implies acceptance of a life that was well lived. It does not mean that life is over, for these can often by very

productive years. But by this age a person begins take a reflective and evaluative look back at his or her life (17). It means the integrity can be seen when a

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potential or a feeling that people have wasted their life, without hope for personal redemption. So, if people are unsuccessful during this stage, they are going to feel that their life has been wasted and will experience many regrets. Then, people are feel proud of their accomplishments, they will feel a sense of integrity.

This theory can be used to analyze psychological of main character. In the story that used for the research, almost of story contain of psychological

transformation. This theory consist of many stages that contain step by step of human’s life, so this theory is very useful to analyze psychosis transformation.

2.1.2. New Criticism

New criticism is the main tool in an analysis to reveal the true meaning of a text based on the text itself (Tyson 136). It means, new criticism judges and evaluates a literary work based on the text only. Because it is based on the text itself, new criticism‘s main focus is the formal elements that depicted in the text. Bressler also states in his book that new criticism does not even need to find extra textual information outside the text, the text itself contains all the necessary information to discover the meaning (55).

According to Gillespie, formal elements are including character, setting, point of view, plot, and theme (190). It means, formal elements are parts of the texts itself. Tyson states that the main focus of the formal elements is in the literary language which is different from scientific or everyday language (138). It depends on the connotation which contains implication and suggestion so that it can create an artistic language. This is what new criticism called as the organic unity because the formal elements are working together to establish the theme of

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the text (138). So, the writer will take a look the evidence of the formal elements; in this case are character and characterization only; from the text that needed for this analysis.

2.1.2.1. Character

Character is one of the most important elements in literature. Character holds the main role in a story of literature such as novel, drama, tale, and poem. Character is the person represented in dramatic or narrative work who is interpreted by the reader as possessing particular moral, intellectual and emotional qualities that shown with dialog and action in literary work (Abrams 42). Through the character, the reader can enjoy and understand the plot of the story. According to Bennett, character is the life of literature. They are the objects of our curiosity and fascination, affection and dislike, admiration and criticism (60). It means, the author depicted their imagination and describe the story trough the character itself.

Dinuriyyah states in her book that characters can be divided into two kinds, major character and minor character (114). Major character is an important figure at the center of the story. However, the major character cannot stand by isolation. The major character needs other characters to help the story more interest and attractive. Characters who supports the major character is called minor character.

The major character plays the biggest role and is often the first character to be introduced. Most often the story is seen through the eyes of the main character. Whereas, minor characters play a smaller supporting role and are introduced

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these characters are static and do not change significant. Whereas, the round character is complex and many sided. The round character may appear to us only as he appears to the other characters in the story. It can be concluded that round characters play a big role in a story rather than a flat character. These characters often change as the story progresses.

2.1.2.2. Characterization

Character can make a story reliable and vivid. People are always interested in discussing a character. Everybody admits that a human is unique creature who has a very rich dimension to be discussed. Therefore, character becomes an interesting topic in literature. In order to build a full and clear portrait of the character becomes more alive, an author uses characterization.Gill states in his book that character is generally known as a person in a literary work besides characterization is the way in which a character is created (127). In this case, character is only the figure person that created by the author and characterization completed it with the physically description, attitude, and even how they think and act in the text. So, to make the differences between character and characterization is by calling the character as the product while characterization as the method (127). Characterization is very important since the reader can explore the novel by paying attention on the character’s speeches action and comment of the other character in order to understand more about the idea of the story (Holman 2).

There are some methods of characterization. According to Gill, there are two ways in how characters are depicted in a text, it is called telling and showing (133). Telling a character is when the author describes the character by its

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physical appearance such as the dress, age, how the character looks like, while showing a character is more complex than telling because the author try to show the character by its way to behave and think. The author tries to get the reader‘s response to judge the character‘s trait, it is good or bad, or maybe the character has other traits by showing the character‘s way of behave and think in some condition (134).

Similar with Gill‘s theory of telling and showing, Griffith also states a theory used to analyze the character and characterization of a literary work. It is called as direct and indirect method. While in the direct method the author only describes the appearance of the character, what the character is like, in the indirect method the author describes the character through what they say, thought, speech, and act (33 – 34).

Both of theories above, character and characterization, can be used to analyze main character personality. Character and characterization theory are important for this research because without it, the research cannot be explained with clearly.

2.2Review of Related Studies

This part will show the previous studies which are closely similar with type of analysis in this research, and the theories which are used to analyze the data. Actually, Flowers for Algernon has been analyzed and discussed in some

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Needs of Main Character (2008) written by Yuliana, student of Bina Nusantara University. In her research, she analyzes the needs of the main character in his struggle to accept his condition and fulfill his needs. She uses structural criticism by Tzevetan Todorov for her analysis.

Another research entitled A Short Happy Moment of Charlie’s Life in Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes (2012)writtenby Rini Agustina. She is a student of North Sumatra University. She analyzes the fact about Charlie, whether Charlie really has a short happy moment after an experimental surgery. Agustina uses structural criticism to analyze the character from novel, Charlie Gordon and Miss Kinnian. Miss Kinnian is Charlie Gordon’s teacher when he studied in special school for retarded people.

In addition, this study also uses the previous studies from a journal. The journal entitled “Revealing Charlie Gordon’s Trauma in Daniel Keyes’s Flowers for Algernon” (2014) is written by Desy Eka Fatmawati. She is student from Surabaya States University. She discusses about Charlie Gordon’s trauma when Charlie experienced many bad experiences in his childhood. She uses theory of trauma symptoms and theory of intelligence by Sandra L. Bloom.

The similarities of all researches and journal above with this research is the same as taking Flowers for Algernon as object for research. Then, all of studies also analyze main character from novel, Charlie Gordon. The difference of two previous researches and journal with this research is from theory that used. This research use psychoanalysis theory to analyze Charlie Gordon character,

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while two of researches used structural analysis. Whereas, the journal use trauma symptom theory.

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CHAPTER 3 ANALYSIS

In this chapter, this research tries to answer the problem formulated in the first chapter; those are how Charlie Gordon described in the novel and what the effort that Charlie Gordon does to be a genius man.

This analysis below will consist of some parts of discussion. First part will discuss about Charlie’s characterization. Then, the second parts will discuss about Charlie’s effort to be a genius man. From the discussion below, hopefully this study will answer all of problem formulation.

For data source, this research uses the novel entitled Flowers for Algernon written by Daniel Keyes. Then, the data are taken from the narrations which has correlation with the problem statement and the dialogues among the characters as evidence.

3.1. The Description of Charlie as Character in Daniel Keyes’s Flowers for Algernon

Charlie Gordon is the major character in Daniel Keyes’s Flowers for Algernon. According to Dinurriyah, Major Character is an important figure at the center of the story and usually they have a lot to say and appears frequently in the story (114). Charlie Gordon appears frequently and be an important figure of the story also. That’s why Charlie Gordon is said as the major character. Then, Charlie’s character is changeable throughout the story. It makes Charlie can be

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said as round character. This statement is suitable with Kenney’s theory that round character is complex, changeable and many sided (46).

Charlie Gordon in this story depicted as a thirty two years old mentally retarded man who lives in New York City. Charlie has IQ 68. With that IQ, he looks like an adult man but still child in mind.

“I hope they use me becaus Miss Kinnian says mabye they can make me smart. I want to be smart. My name is Charlie Gordon I werk in Donners bakery where Mr Donner gives me 11 dollers a week and bred or cake if I want. I am 32 yeres old and next munth is my birthday”. (Keyes 1)

The data above shows that Charlie has low IQ. At the beginning of the story, Strauss tells Charlie to write everything in a report progress book. Charlie’s writing is very bad. Many error-spelling founded in his writing. He also cannot puts dot (.) or comma (,) correctly. It shows that he has Language Deficit, a symptom of disabilities mental. For example he writes wrek (work), yeres (years) and munth (month). Actually, every wrong word written by Charlie depends on his speech.

Charlie is depicted as a spiritful man who wants to improve himself. He attends reading and writing classes at the Beekman College Center for Retarded Adults.

“He says I shud rite just like I talk and like I rite compushishens in Miss Kinnians class at the beekmin collidge center for retarted adults where I go to lern 3 times a week on my time off”. (Keyes 1)

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Prof Nemur said but why did you want to lern to reed and spell in the frist place. I tolld him because all my life I wantid to be smart and not dumb and my mom always tolld me to try and lern just like Miss Kinnian tells me but its very hard to be smart and even when I lern something in Miss Kinnians class at the school I ferget a lot”. (Keyes 4)

The data above show that Charlie really wants to be smart. Charlie is a man who cannot be patient to increase his intelligence for long time, so he takes a shortcut. He accepts a suggestion from two researchers at Beekman University. They look for a human test subject to try a new operation technique to increase intelligence.

In fact, his spirit to be smart does not come from himself only. When he was child, her mother was the one who insisted on making him smart. She believes that Charlie is normal person like other children.

"He's normal! He's normal! He'll grow up like other people. Better than others." She was trying to scratch the teacher, but Dad was holding her back. "He'll go to college someday. He'll be somebody." She kept screaming it, clawing at Dad so he'd let go of her. "He'll go to college someday and he'll be somebody." (Keyes 71)

Charlie’s parents often clashed about Charlie’s condition. His mother insists that her son is normal person like other child but Charlie’s father does in the other side. In story, when Charlie was six years old, he cannot defecate and pee in the bathroom by himself. He often gets a hit because his inability.

"He's not a dummy. He's normal. He'll be just like everyone else."

He looks sadly at his son with the spinner and Charlie smiles and holds it up to show him how pretty it is when it goes around and around.

…"Then why don't you help me? I have to do it all by myself. Every day I try to teach him - to help him catch up to the others. He's just slow, that's all. But he can learn like everyone else."

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"You're fooling yourself, Rose. It's not fair to us or to him. Pretending he's normal. Driving him as if he were an animal that could learn to do tricks. Why don't you leave him alone?"

"Because I want him to be like everyone else." (Keyes 73)

One day, his parents bring Charlie to doctor, more precisely a psychiatrist. His mother hopes from that doctor, Charlie will be normal even smarter than before. In the end, his mother’s effort is useless. Charlie still feels hard to defecate and pee in the bathroom with himself.

Rose, Charlie’s mother, discontinues her effort to make Charlie smart after Norma’s birth. Previously, Rose believes that Charlie is the normal person. Now, after Norma’s birth, Rose is sure that her belief is wrong. Norma is normal and Charlie is not.

“…It was something Rose Gordon lived with day and night. Her fear, her guilt, her shame that Charlie was a moron. Her dream that something could be done. The urgent question always: whose fault was it, hers or Matt's? Only after Norma proved to her that she was capable of having normal children, and that I was a freak, did she stop trying to make me over. But I guess I never stopped wanting to be the smart boy she wanted me to be, so that she would love me.." (Keyes 73)

Although his mother does not support him again, Charlie still continues his desire to be smart at least he can read and write. His desire appears again when he works at Donners Bakery. Charlie asks to Joe how Joe can read and write but Joe does not answer it even mocks him. Fanny hears about Charlie’s desire and suggests him to come at the the Beekman College Center for Retarded Adults.

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but I dint know it then. She said if you come back tomorow and rejister I will start to teach you how to read. But you got to understand it will take a long time maybe years to lern to read. I told her I dint know it took so long but I wantid to lern anyway because I made believe a lot of times. I meen I pretend to pepul I know how to read but it aint true and I wantid to lern. She shaked my hand and said glad to meet you Mistre Gordon. I will be your teacher. My name is Miss Mnnian. So thats wear I went to lern and thats how I met Miss Kinnian. (Keyes 27)

Charlie is depicted as honest man also. Before his surgery, Charlie gets a test from laboratory. Burt shows some pictures about people to Charlie and tells him to make a story based on the pictures but Charlie refuses it. Charlie says to Burt that he cannot make a story about unknown people.

This test lookd easy because I coud see the picturs. Only this time she dint want me to tell what I saw in the picturs. That mixd me up. I tolld her yesterday Burt said I shoud tell what I saw in the ink. She said that don’t make a difrence because this test is something else. Now you got to make up storys about the pepul in the picturs.

I said how can I tell storys about pepul I dont know. She said make believe but I tolld her thats lies. I never tell lies any more because when I was a kid I made lies and I always got hit. I got a pictur in my walet of me and Norma with Uncle Herman who got me the job to be janiter at Dormers bakery before he dyed.

I said I coud make storys about them because I livd with Uncle Herman along time but the lady dint want to hear about them. She said this test and the other one the raw shok was for getting persinality. I laffd. I tolld her how can you get that thing from cards that sombody spilld ink on and fotos of pepul you dont even no. She lookd angrey and took the picturs away. I don’t care. (Keyes 5-6)

The data above show that Charlie does not want to lie. Although it looks like a fool innocent person, but he had experiences when childhood. That experiences teach him to do not behave badly.

After his surgery, Charlie finds a problem about his honesty. Charlie see Gimpy do something wrong. Gimpy reduces the price and take profit deliberately. Both of them, Gimpy and customer, understand about that fraud. It makes Charlie

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confuses to determine his choice. In one side, if Charlie tells to Mister Donner about Gimpy’s mistake, Gimpy will be fired from his work. Charlie thinks that Gimpy is not able to get other job because Gimpy has a lame foot, whereas Gimpy has a wife and three children. In other side, if Charlie does not tell to Mister Donner, he will feel guilty because he helps Gimpy to steal from Mister Donner.

But I still have to decide what to do. Tell Donner that his trusted employee has been stealing from him all these years? Gimpy would deny it, and I could never prove it was true. And what would it do to Mr Donner? I don't know what to do. (Keyes 88)

…Yet, Gimpy is a co-worker. Three children. What will he do if Donner fires him? He might not be able to get another job-especially with his club foot.

Is that my worry?

What's right? Ironic that all my intelligence doesn't help me solve a problem like this. (Keyes 89)

After the surgery, Charlie slowly becomes more and more intelligent, but it does not instantly. Sometimes he feels discouraged and hopeless. Charlie think that the surgery will creates him to be smart automatically. Miss Kinnian tells Charlie to be patient and keep learn. Strauss also explains to him that the process of surgery is not like what Charlie thinks.

She said thats not the way it werks Charlie. It comes slowley and you have to werk very hard to get smart.

I dint no that. If I got to werk hard anyway what did I have to have the operashun for. She said she wasnt sure but the operashun was to make it so that when I did werk hard to get smart it woud stick with me and not be like it was before when it dint stick so good. (Keyes 17)

…I told him nothing speshul ever happins to me and it dont look like this speshul exper'tmint is going to happin neither. He says dont get

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While he becomes more intelligent, his imagination growth also. In his imagination, Charlie can see and remember his past. Sometimes he dreams about his childhood and family.

When Charlie works at Donners Bakery, he has a lot of friends. Charlie likes them so much. Charlie always thinks that all of his friends like him too because they often joke and laugh together. Charlie does not know the truth that his friends mock and laugh at him when Charlie does some funny or ridiculous thing.

In the middle of the story, after getting his smart ability, Charlie knows the fact about his friends. The fact that his friends mock and laugh at him. One night, Charlie has been invited to a party. At the party, his friends tell Charlie to dance with a guest named Ellen. Although Charlie cannot dance, he accepts his friends’ request. No one dances at that room except Charlie and Ellen. All of people make a circle to watch and laugh at them. Frank also tells to all of people at room about Charlie’s dumb. It makes Charlie is ashamed and run from that place.

“Last night Joe Carp and Frank Reilly invited me to a party. There were lots of girls and Gimpy was there and Ernie too.

We had a lot of fun for a while.

"Dance with Ellen," Joe said. "She'll teach you the steps." Then he winked at her like he had something in his eye”. (Keyes 40)

What Frank said reminded me. That was the same thing that happened at Halloran's. And that was what Joe and the rest of them were doing. Laughing at me. And the kids playing hide-and-go-seek were playing tricks on me and they were laughing at me too.

The people at the party were a bunch of blurred faces all looking down and laughing at me. "Look at him. His face is red."

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“…I found the stairs and ran out into the street and walked for a long time before I went to my room. I never knew before that Joe and Frank and the others liked to have me around just to make fun of me. Now I know what they mean when they say "to pull a Charlie Gordon." I'm ashamed.” (Keyes 42)

From the whole of explanation above, this research conclude that Charlie is the major character in Flowers for Algernon. His character is also changeable throughout the story. It makes Charlie can be said as round character. Charlie also characterized with many characterization. There are stupid man, spiritful man, honest man, and genius man.

3.2. Charlie Gordon’s Effort to be a Genius Man in Daniel Keyes’s Flowers for Algernon

The main character of Flowers for Algernon, Charlie Gordon,

characterized as an adult man who has a mental disabilities since childhood. Since receiving many support and get operated by some researchers at Beekman

University, Charlie’s intelligence gradually increase. At the same time, his psycho changes. Actually, Charlie Gordon’s desire to be a genius man not suddenly appears in his mind. When Charlie was child, his parents are the actor behind his desire. They often feel that Charlie is not normal like other children. They also do some effort to make Charlie change to be better than before. After Charlie’s sister is born, their effort to make Charlie normal like other children gradually

decreases. Although, their desire imprint in Charlie’s mind. Through their desire, Charlie also does some effort to be genius man.

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Whereas, the data contained in the story did not fulfill all stages from theory, so this research only take several stages from theory. To make easier, the analysis of Charlie Gordon’s alteration will explained through stage by stage.

3.2.1. Initiative versus Guilt (Preschool Stage), 3 to 6 years

In this stage, generally children’s activities are playing and doing task for being active. Children wants to begin and complete their own actions for a

purpose. They learn how to zip and tie, count and speak with ease. They learn that they can do many things. In fact, Keyes draws little Charlie as a toddler with different situation.

In the story, Charlie is drawn as dumb and abnormal person since childhood. Even at 5 years old, Charlie’s parents bring Charlie to psychiatric to heal his dumb. Although, Keyes does not explain in detail how Charlie gets that disability. Whether its innate or from his mother’s gesture who always force him to do something but she will hit when Charlie does something wrong.

Since childhood, Charlie’s strange activities often causes his mother angry and gets a hit. When Charlie was 6 years old, his parents often clashed because of Charlie’s disability.

"Put that thing away!" Mom shrieks and suddenly she knocks the spinner from Charlie's hand, and it crashes across the kitchen floor. "Go play with your alphabet blocks."

He stands there, frightened by the sudden outburst. He cowers, not

knowing what she will do. His body begins to shake. They're arguing, and the voices back and forth make a squeezing pressure inside him and a sense of panic.

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He wants to obey her, but his legs are too soft to move. His arms go up automatically to ward off blows.

"For God's sake, Rose. Leave him alone. You've got him terrified. You always do this, and the poor kid" (Keyes 73)

That quotations show when Charlie’s parents quarrel while he playing spinner. His mother become angry with him and force Charlie to learn alphabet. Charlie is frightened and wants to pee. His mother tells him to pee at bathroom. Unfortunately, although he hears his mother’s instruction and wants to obey her, he cannot do it.

I never hurt her or nothing.

They put her in a crib in their room and once I heard Dad say dont worry Charlie wouldnt harm her.

She was like a bundle all pink and screaming sometimes that I couldnt sleep. And when I went to sleep she woke me up in the nighttime. One time when they were in the kitchen and I was in my bed she was crying. I got up to pick her up and hold her to get quiet the way mom does. But then Mom came in yelling and took her away. And she slapped me so hard I fell on the bed.

Then she startid screaming. Dont you ever touch her again. Youll hurt her. She's a baby. You got no business touching her. I dint know it then but I guess I know it now that she thought I was going to hurt the baby because I was too dumb to know what I was doing. Now that makes me feel bad because I would never of hurt the baby.( Keyes 38)

The data above show when Charlie has a new sister. One night, the baby cries. Charlie knows that his parents in the kitchen, so he makes an initiative to stops her weeping with pick her up and hold like his mother does. When his mother knows what Charlie does to her baby, she becomes angry and slaps

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From all of data above, actually Charlie has a good initiative to do any good thing based on his opinion, but it is hidden by his disability and it does not develop. Otherwise, Charlie’s frighten to his mother makes Charlie’s guilt look more clearly.

3.2.2. Industry versus Inferiority (Childhood Stage), 7 to 12 years

Children’s activities in this stage are entering in elementary school. Children at this age become more aware of themselves as individuals. They work hard at being responsible, being good and doing it right. They are now more able to share and cooperate. In this stage, Charlie still depicted as dumb person. Although Charlie learns in elementary school, his writing and reading ability not develop yet. Nothing special in this period because Keyes does not describe too much except one moment.

Charlie has many friends at the school. He always likes them even if they often squeeze him out. Also, they have a special girl named Harriet. When Harriet passes by, they will stop playing and look at her. When they meet her, they always tease her except Charlie. All of them love Harriet. One time when valentine day, Charlie wants to give Harriet a present. After wrapping a present that contains a necklace, Charlie asks Hymie to write beautiful sentences in a paper for Harriet because Charlie cannot write.

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"It's Valentine's Day, and the boys are talking about valentines

they'regoing to give Harriet, so Charlie says, "I'm gonna give Harriet a valentime too."

They laugh and Barry says, "Where you gonna get a valentine?" "I'm gonna get her a pretty one. You'll see."

But he doesn't have any money for a valentine, so he decides to give Harriet his locket that is heart-shaped like the valentines in the store windows. That night he takes tissue paper from his mother's drawer, and it takes along time to wrap and tie it with a piece of red ribbon. Then lie takes it to Hymie Roth the next day during lunch period in school and asks Hymie to write on the paper for him.

He tells Hymie to write: "Dear Harriet, I think you are the most prettiest girl in the whole world. I like you very much and I love you. I want you to be my valentime. Your friend, Charlie Gordon." (Keyes 53)

After that, Charlie gives the present to Harriet stealthy because he is ashamed and fearful. Charlie hopes next day Harried uses his present to school. In fact, Harriet does not use that present. Even Charlie calls her, she also does not answer it. When class dismiss, suddenly Charlie is intercepted by Harriet’s brother with his friend. They threat and beat Charlie until Charlie is bloody and sprawl. After that moment, Charlie knows that Hymie cheats him. Hymie does not write sentences like Charlie’s wantto. The sentences that Hymie’s write makes Harriet’s brother angry with Charlie.

"Charlie got a licking! Charlie got a licking!" And then Mr Wagner, one of the caretakers from the school, comes and chases them away. He takes Charlie into the boys' room and tells him to wash off the blood and dirt from his face and hands before he goes back home...

I guess I was pretty dumb because I believed what people told me. I shouldn't have trusted Hymie or anyone.."(Keyes 55)

So, in this stage, Charlie learns about love, confidence and brave to expresses his feel. In other side, Charlie’s inferiority happens when Charlie still

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3.2.3. Identity versus Confusion (Adolescents), 13 to 18 years

The adolescent is concerned with how they appear to others. In this stage, human are at transition period from childhood to adulthood. Erikson said that adolescence is a time of great change (11). However, this theory does not compatible with Charlie’s condition.

Charlie does not change yet until this period. He is still dumb even his sister looks with cynical view to him. One day, Charlie waits his sister Norma back from school. When she arrives at home, she screams and feels happy about her history test result. Charlie as Norma’s brother involves to celebrate her test result. Charlie joins and screams like Norma also. Evidently, Norma does not like Charlie’s action.

"I got an A in my history test. I knew all the answers. Mrs Baffin said it was the best paper in the whole class."

She is a pretty girl with light brown hair carefully braided and coed about her head in a crown, and as she looks up at her big brother the smile turns to a frown and she skips away, leaving him behind as she darts up the steps into the house. Smiling, he follows her.

His mother and father are in the kitchen, and Charlie, bursting with the excitement of Norma's good news, blurts it out before she has a chance. "She got an A! She got an A!" "No!" shrieks Norma. "Not you. You don't tell. It's my mark, and I'm going to tell." "Now wait a minute, young lady." Matt puts his newspaper down and addresses her sternly. "That's no way to talk to your brother."

"He had no right to tell!"(Keyes 116)

The problem becomes longer when a present that Norma’s request from her mother not obeyed. Norma becomes angry and hates Charlie even she does not admit him as his brother. However, its not Charlie’s will. Deep in heart, Charlie prefers to succumb with his sister. Charlie’s will is just plays together with his sister.

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Suddenly, Norma jumps off the couch and grabs the history test she had brought home so eagerly just a few minutes earlier. She tears it and throws the pieces into Charlie's startled face. "I hate youl I hate you!” "And I hate school! I hate it! I'll stop studying, and I'll be a dummy like him. I'll forget everything I learned and then I'll be just like him." (Keyes 118)

…I recall once overhearing Norma and one of her girl friends playing in her room, and Norma shouting: "He is not my real brother! He's just a boy we took in because we felt sorry for him. My mamma told me, and she said I can tell everyone now that he's not really my brother at all." …I wish this memory were a photograph so that I could tear it up and throw it back into her face. I want to call back across the years and tell her I never meant to stop her from getting her dog. She could have had it all to herself, and I wouldn't have fed it, or brushed it, or played with it and I would never have made it like me more than it liked her. I only wanted her to play games with me the way we used to. (Keyes 119)

In other case, Charlie ever gets an erection when see his sister’s friends. Although his father defend him and said to his mother that it’s normal indication, but his mother is disagree. She becomes angry to Charlie and hits Charlie with leather belt. It is terrible thing that his mother do to him.

Now he had the clear picture of Charlie's mother, screaming at him, holding a leather belt in her hand, and his father trying to hold her back. "Enough, Rose! You'll kill him! Leave him alone!" His mother straining forward to lash at him, just out of reach now so that the belt swishes past his shoulder as he writhes and twists away from it on the floor.

"Look at him!" Rose screams. "He can't learn to read and write, but he knows enough to look at a girl that way. I'll beat that filth out of his mind." "He can't help it if he gets an erection. It's normal. He didn't do anything." "He's got no business to think that way about girls. A friend of his sister's comes to the house and he starts thinking like that! I'll teach him so he never forgets. Do you hear? If you ever touch a girl, I'll put you away in a cage, like an animal, for the rest of your life. Do you hear me?..."(Keyes 112)

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Charlie nurtured by Herman. By Herman, Charlie invited to Mr. Donner to work in Donner Bakery. However, Charlie’s life does not change instantly. Someday. Charlie ever gets a harassment from the boys around bakery. They are laugh and tease at him, piss all over his clothes. When Mr. Herman knows about it, he defends Charlie sooner and protect him away from the boys.

"Charlie! Charlie!... fat head barley!"

Children circle around him laughing and teasing him like little dogs snapping at his feet. Charlie smiles at them. He would like to put down his bundle and play games with them, but when he thinks about it the skin on his back twitches and he feels the way the older boys throw things at him. Coming back to the bakery he sees some boys standing in the door of a dark hallway.

"Hey look, there's Charlie!"

"Hey, Charlie. What you got there? Want to shoot some craps?" "C'mere. We won't hurtya."

But there is something about the doorway-the dark hall, the laughing, that makes his skin twitch again. He tries to know what it is but all he can remember is their dirt and piss all over his clothes, and Uncle Herman shouting when he came home all covered with filth, and how Uncle

Herman ran out with a hammer in his hand to find the boys who did that to him. Charlie backs away from the boys laughing in the hallway, drops the bundle. Picks it up again and runs the rest of the way to the bakery. (Keyes 45)

So, in this stage, Charlie’s role confusion looks when he gets many bad experience from his family itself. Charlie gets a good education from family side since childhood rarely even never. It creates Charlie’s personality different with other adolescence. However, Charlie still has a good human side. Relent and does not want revenge are his good personality and unique identity.

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In this period, human begin to share themselves more intimately with others. They explore relationships leading toward longer term commitments with someone other than a family member. If they success in this stage, they can lead to comfortable relationships and a sense of commitment, safety, and care within a relationship. However, there are negative side in this stage. Avoiding intimacy, fearing commitment and relationships can lead to isolation, loneliness, and sometimes depression. In the story, Charlie is drawn as an adulthood who trough negative side first before getting success. In this period, there are some cases that influence Charlie’s transformation.

First, Charlie works in Donners Bakery. In this place, Charlie has a lot of friends who like him. Actually, his relationship with them is not like real friends, but Charlie does not care with it. Although, Charlie always gives a respect and likes them so much. That condition changes when Charlie accept an offer from his teacher to make him smarter than before. At first, Charlie thinks that after he change to be smart, his friends will more like to him. In reverse, his friends also change. Some friends become hate him. Even Fanny, his friend who often help and protect him from other friend’s inference, thinks that Charlie’s transformation is not normal.

People at the bakery are changing. Not only ignoring me. I can feel the hostility. Donner is arranging for me to join the baker's union, and I've gotten another raise. The rotten thing is that all of the pleasure is gone because the others resent me. In a way, I can't blame them. They don't understand what has happened to me, and I can't tell them. People are not proud of me the way I expected-not at all. (Keyes 66)

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you done to yourself to get so smart all of a sudden. Like everybody's been saying-it ain't right."

"But what's wrong with a person wanting to be more intelligent, to acquire knowledge, and understand himself and the world?"

"If you'd read your Bible, Charlie, you'd know that it's not meant for man to know more than was given to him to know by the Lord in the first place. The fruit of that tree was forbidden to man. Charlie, if you done anything you wasn't supposed to-you know, like with the devil or something-maybe it ain't too late to get out of it. Maybe you could go back to being the good simple man you was before." (Keyes 107)

After that incident, Charlie fired from Donner Bakery. It makes Charlie frustrated because he never works in other place. Luckily, the Welberg

Foundation want to pay him out a salary of the grant.

Beside progress of his smart ability, Charlie’s feel about love is also growth. The existence of Alice Kinnian, Charlie’s teacher, who always been there for Charlie since before the surgery, make Charlie falls in love with her. Kinnian always helps everything that Charlie need. Kinnian also gives spirit and

motivation for Charlie. However, Charlie never expresses his feeling for long time. One day, when Charlie gets his first salary from Welberg Foundation, Charlie invites Kinnian to watching movie. After watch, they are going to dinner together. In this time, Charlie just expresses his feel to Kinnian.

"I never would have done it but for you," I said.

She laughed and it made me tremble. That's when I saw that her eyes were soft brown. She looked down at the tablecloth quickly and blushed.

"Thank you, Charlie," she said, and took my hand.

It was the first time anyone had ever done that, and it made me bolder. I leaned forward, holding on to her hand, and the words came out. "I like you very much." After I said it, I was afraid she'd laugh, but she nodded and smiled.

"I like you too, Charlie."

"But it's more than liking. What I mean is ...oh, hell! I don't know what I mean." (Keyes 80)

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After that moment, Charlie often meet with Kinnian, even getting closer than before. They always talk and discuss about Charlie’s progress together. Climax, when Charlie want to meet Kinnian alone away from lab. Kinnian suggests to attend in a concert and Charlie agree with her.

"Anywhere you say," I gasped. "Just so I can be with you and not think of tests... statistics... questions... answers... "

She frowned for a moment. "All right. They have free spring concerts in Central Park. Next week you can take me to one of the concerts." When we got to her doorway, she turned quickly and kissed my cheek. "Good night, Charlie. I'm glad you called me. I'll see you at the lab." She closed the door and I stood outside the building and looked at the light in her apartment window until it went out.

There is no question about it now. I'm in love. (Keyes 94)

Although they are always together, it does not mean they never get a crash. One day, Kinnian teaches at the Center for Retarded Adults which Charlie ever learn before surgery. For some reason, Charlie wants to pick her up. Due to arrive early, Charlie wants to see his old class. When their old friends see him, they say hello and ask when he back to school. That is quarrel started. After class dismissed, Kinnian rebukes Charlie. They clashed about Charlie’s curiosity. Kinnian state that fast alteration of Charlie’s mind makes Kinnian was look dumber. Then, they debate about intelligence. That clashed make them separated for a long time.

My first real quarrel with Alice today. My fault. I wanted to see her. Often, after a disturbing memory or dream, talking to just being with her-makes me feel better. But it was a mistake to go down to the Center to pick her up. (Keyes 119)

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through the window. And before I knew what I was doing I came in. What's bothering you?"

"Nothing-nothing's bothering me."

"Come on. Your anger is all out of proportion to what's happened. Something's on your mind."

She slammed down a book she was holding. "All right. You want to know? You're different. You've changed. And I'm not talking about your IQ It's your attitude toward people-you're not the same kind of human being-"(Keyes 122)

After that quarrel, Charlie invited to Chicago. In there, Charlie will introduced by Nemur to public. Night before introduction event, Charlie has an opportunity to meet many great persons, some genius professor and scientists. They discuss each other and debate about how Charlie’s retarded and his

transformation. However, Charlie’s genius ability seems higher than all of person in there even Nemur. Charlie also explains deficiency and failure of that

experiment. Contrast, but Nemur looks hide the fact of his experiment.

The climax happens when Nemur explains the result of his experiment. Charlie realizes there are some mistake from Nemur experiment. Charlie feels sensitive when his state ignored by Nemur. Finally, Charlie brings Algernon run away.

"Go ahead, laugh!" snorted Nemur, who nearly bumped into me, "but if we don't find him, the whole experiment is in danger."

I pretended to be looking for Algernon under a waste basket. "Do you know something?" I said. "You've made a mistake. And after today, maybe it just won't matter at all."

Seconds later, half a dozen women came screaming out of the powder room, skirts clutched frantically around their legs.

"He's in there," someone yelled. But for a moment, the searching crowd was stayed by the handwriting on the wall-Ladies. I was the first to cross the invisible barrier and enter the sacred gates.

Algernon was perched on top of one of the washbasins, glaring at his reflection in the mirror.

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In his escape, Charlie meets with another special woman again. Her name is Fay Lillman. Fay is Charlie’s apartment neighbor.

“June 19 - Met Fay Lillman, my neighbor across the hall. When I came back with an armful of groceries, I discovered I had locked myself out, and I remembered that the front fire escape connected my living room window and the apartment directly across the hall. (Keyes 173)

Fay really interests with Charlie’s live. Fay always notices to Charlie’s behavior. Their relationship become more intimate when they were often meet, drink, dance together. Charlie is happy with her. The truth, Charlie is not the special one for Fay. Charlie ever see Fay bring some men to her room. Charlie also cannot focuses on Fay. Kinnian’s shadow comes and bothers him frequently.

Another case that happens in this period is Algernon’s death. Before, Charlie realizes that this accident will happens someday.

Algernon died two days ago. I found him at four thirty in the morning when I came back to the lab after wandering around down at the waterfront-on his side, stretched out in the corner of his cage. As if he were running in his sleep.

Dissection shows that my predictions were right. Compared to the normal brain, Algernon's had decreased in weight and there was a general

smoothing out of the cerebral convolutions as well as a deepening and broadening of brain fissures (Keyes 258).

From that accident, Charlie concludes that progress will happen into himself also. Even some researcher can predict the remaining time of Charlie’s capability. Charlie uses the remaining time to visit his mother and sister. Even though they ever hurts him, Charlie does not revenge their worst treatment. After that, little by little his genius ability was gradually reduce. Charlie returns into

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“Goodby Miss Kinnian and dr Strauss and evrybody...

P.S. please tel prof Nemur not to be such a grouch when pepul laff at him and he woud have more frends. Its easy to have fiends if you let pepul laff at you. Im going to have lots of fiends where I go.

P.S. please if you get a chanse put some flown on Algernons grave in the bak yard” (Keyes311).

In this stage, Charlie’s progress is very complex. He starts to build his relationship since before surgery until get his genius ability and become dumb again. Even though Charlie experiences of loneliness, depression and isolation from his friends and family, Charlie also gets precious experience like feel in love, comfortable relationship with people around him.

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CHAPTER 4 CONCLUSION

The result of this study shows that Charlie Gordon is a mentally retarded man in New York who want to be a genius man. Charlie have Language deficit, a symptom of disabilities mental. This symptom makes Charlie cannot write with right spell. However, Charlie is a spirit man who wants to improve himself. Since childhood, Charlie was supported by his parents to be smart although his mother rebukes him because of his disability. At the age thirty two, Charlie offered from his teacher in the Beekman College Center for Retarded Man to be an object of experimental surgery. That surgery runs successful and Charlie becomes a genius man. Although, the process is not running easily. Charlie must feel of loneliness, depression and isolation from his friends and family. At the end of the story, his genius ability is not permanent. Little by little his ability gradually reduce and being dumb again.

Based on development theory by Erikson, this novel contains four stages. There are initiative versus guilt, industry versus inferiority, identity versus confusion and intimacy versus isolation. In stage initiative versus guilt, Charlie learns to do any good thing. In some case, his disability causes other people especially his family do not understand with his behavior. Otherwise, Charlie’s guilt look more clearly when he scares to his mother. In stage of industry versus inferiority, Charlie learns about love, confidence

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identity versus confusion, Charlie receive less attention from his family. Instead, he gets many bad experience from his family itself. That

experiences creates Charlie’s personality different with other adolescence. In stage of intimacy versus isolation, Charlie reach his desire to genius man. However, his attempt to reach it is not easy. Charlie must feel of loneliness, depression and isolation from his friends and family. Charlie also gets precious experience like feel in love, comfortable relationship with people around him.

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REFERENCES

Keyes, Daniel. 2007. Flowers for Algernon. USA. First Harvest International. Koesalamwardi, Isma B. 2006. Charlie Si Jenius Dungu. Jakarta. Ufuk Press. Rees, R. J. 1973. English Literature: An Introduction for Foreign Readers.

Basinstoke and London: Macmillan Education Ltd.

Kennedy, X.J. 2013. Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, Drama, and Writing, 12th Edition. Longman

Fleming, James. 2004. Psychological Perspective on Human Development.. Schultz, Duane P. A History of Modern Psychology, 11th Edition. USA.

University of South Florida.

Tyson, Louis. 2006. Critical Theory Today: A User-Friendly Guide Second Edition. London. Routledge.

Gillespie. Tim. 2010. Doing Literary Criticism.

Bressler. Charles E. 1999. Literary Criticism: An Introduction to Theory and Practice. Prentice Hall.

Pikunas, Justin. 1961. Natureof Human Development.. USA. The McGraw – Hill Book Company, Inc.

Abram, M.H. 2009. A Glossary of Literary Term Ninth Edition. USA. Wadsworth Cengage Learning.

Yuliana. 2008. Structural Analysis of Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes: Signifying the Needs of Main Character. Jakarta. Binus University.

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Fatmawati. Desy Eka. 2014.Revealing Charlie Gordon’s Trauma in Daniel Keyes’s Flowers for Algernon. Surabaya. State of Surabaya University. Website

(http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0072794). Accessed on 26th December 2014 (http://www.thefreedictionary.com/psychoanalysis). Accessed on 28th _December

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BIOGRAPHY

Daniel Keyes is a resident of Southern Florida. Born in New York, he joined the U.S. Maritime Service at seventeen and went to sea as ship's purser. After Keyes left the sea, he resumed his studies at Brooklyn College (now CUNY) where he received his B.A. Degree in psychology. He was subsequently employed as an associate fiction editor, then left editing to enter the fashion photography business. Keyes later earned a license to teach English in the New York City schools and was granted tenure. While teaching days and writing weekends, Keyes returned to Brooklyn College at night for post- graduate study in English and American literature. After receiving his M.A. degree, he left New York to teach creative writing at Wayne State University. He joined the faculty of Ohio University in 1966, was appointed Professor of English and Creative Writing, and in 2000 was honored with Professor emeritus status. Brooklyn College awarded Keyes its 1988, "Distinguished Alumnus Medal of Honor."

Keyes' award-winning first novel Flowers for Algernon has never gone out of print in hard covers and in paperback. It has been widely translated and is studied in schools and colleges around the world. In April 1995, Harcourt Brace re-published it in the Harcourt Brace Modern Classic series. At the same time it was released by Parrot Audio Books, narrated by Keyes on cassette tapes. Cliff Robertson won an "Oscar" for his performance in the movie version, "CHARLY."

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The novel was also adapted as a stage play, and after productions in France, Poland and in Japan, it was adapted with Japanese background for a Japanese production, and televised by NHK. Developed as a dramatic musical, "Charlie and Algernon" was performed at the Queen's Theater in London's West End (starring Michael Crawford), at the Terrace and Eisenhower theaters in Washington, D.C. and at the Helen Hayes on Broadway.

Keyes has published four more novels: The Touch (Harcourt, 1968)

dealing with the human tragedy connected with a radiation accident, and The Fifth Sally (Houghton Mifflin, 1980), the first novel to deal with the multiple

personality disorder, Until Death..., a novel dealing with a double homicide in Florida and the issue of competency for execution, which was published in Japan on February 18, 1998 under the Japanese titleUntil Death Do Us Part: The Sleeping Princess, and his latest novel, The Asylum Prophecies (Dorchester Publishing, 2009).

In addition, Keyes has published three nonfiction books: The Minds of Billy Milligan (Random House, 1981; Bantam 1982 & 1992) -- about the first person in history to be acquitted of major crimes because he suffers from multiple personality. It was selected by American Circle, Bertlesmann Book Club, a Main Selection of the Preferred Choice Bookplan, and an Alternate of the Book-of-the-Month Club. It won Germany's Kurd Lasswitz Award for "Best Book by a Foreign Author" and was nominated for the "Edgar Award" by the Mystery Writers of America. The Milligan Wars: A True-Story Sequel, (already published

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in Japan in 1994, where both books were highly acclaimed million-copy best sellers), will be issued in the US by Bantam Books, in both hardcover and paperback editions, during the theatrical release of the movie version of The Minds of Billy Milligan which has been bought by Warners for a movie entitled "The Crowded Room." In Unveiling Claudia, (Bantam, 1986, 1987), Keyes solves the mystery behind a woman's knowledge and false confession to three of the ten "22-Caliber Murders."

In his memoir, Algernon, Charlie and I: A Writer's Journey Daniel Keyes retraces his steps through the life experiences and events that led to his creation of Flowers for Algernon. February of 2000 saw not only the publication

of Algernon, Charlie and I, but also the airing of a new, made for TV movie adaptation of Flowers for Algernon on CBS-TV starring Matthew Modine and Kelli Williams.

Keyes has done four book tours (including one in Tokyo) and has

appeared on "The Today Show," "Regis and Kathy," "20/20," "Sonya," and "Larry King Live" (twice), and has lectured at more than sixty universities across the country. For a schedule of his appearances check the "Appearances and Book Signings"page. He is represented by Mel Berger at the William Morris Agency in New York.

N a j i b | 46

The novel was also adapted as a stage play, and after productions in France, Poland and in Japan, it was adapted with Japanese background for a Japanese production, and televised by NHK. Developed as a dramatic musical, "Charlie and Algernon" was performed at the Queen's Theater in London's West End (starring Michael Crawford), at the Terrace and Eisenhower theaters in Washington, D.C. and at the Helen Hayes on Broadway.

Keyes has published four more novels: The Touch (Harcourt, 1968)

dealing with the human tragedy connected with a radiation accident, and The Fifth

Sally (Houghton Mifflin, 1980), the first novel to deal with the multiple

personality disorder, Until Death..., a novel dealing with a double homicide in Florida and the issue of competency for execution, which was published in Japan on February 18, 1998 under the Japanese titleUntil Death Do Us Part: The

Sleeping Princess, and his latest novel, The Asylum Prophecies (Dorchester

Publishing, 2009).

In addition, Keyes has published three nonfiction books: The Minds of

Billy Milligan (Random House, 1981; Bantam 1982 & 1992) -- about the first

person in history to be acquitted of major crimes because he suffers from multiple personality. It was selected by American Circle, Bertlesmann Book Club, a Main Selection of the Preferred Choice Bookplan, and an Alternate of the Book-of-the-Month Club. It won Germany's Kurd Lasswitz Award for "Best Book by a Foreign Author" and was nominated for the "Edgar Award" by the Mystery

N a j i b | 47

in Japan in 1994, where both books were highly acclaimed million-copy best sellers), will be issued in the US by Bantam Books, in both hardcover and paperback editions, during the theatrical release of the movie version of The

Minds of Billy Milligan which has been bought by Warners for a movie entitled

"The Crowded Room." In Unveiling Claudia, (Bantam, 1986, 1987), Keyes solves the mystery behind a woman's knowledge and false confession to three of the ten "22-Caliber Murders."

In his memoir, Algernon, Charlie and I: A Writer's Journey Daniel Keyes retraces his steps through the life experiences and events that led to his creation

of Flowers for Algernon. February of 2000 saw not only the publication

of Algernon, Charlie and I, but also the airing of a new, made for TV movie

adaptation of Flowers for Algernon on CBS-TV starring Matthew Modine and Kelli Williams.

Keyes has done four book tours (including one in Tokyo) and has

appeared on "The Today Show," "Regis and Kathy," "20/20," "Sonya," and "Larry King Live" (twice), and has lectured at more than sixty universities across the country. For a schedule of his appearances check the "Appearances and Book Signings"page. He is represented by Mel Berger at the William Morris Agency in New York.

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SYNOPSYS

Charlie Gordon, a mentally retarded thirty-two-year-old man, is chosen by a team of scientists to undergo an experimental surgery designed to boost his intelligence. Alice Kinnian, Charlie’s teacher at the Beekman College Center for Retarded Adults, has recommended Charlie for the experiment because of his exceptional eagerness to learn. The directors of the experiment, Dr. Strauss and Professor Nemur, ask Charlie to keep a journal. The entire narrative of Flowers for Algernon is composed of the “progress reports” that Charlie writes.

Charlie works at Donner’s Bakery in New York City as a janitor and

delivery boy. The other employees often taunt him and pick on him, but Charlie is unable to understand that he is the subject of mockery. He believes that his

coworkers are good friends. After a battery of tests—including a maze-solving competition with a mouse named Algernon, who has already had the experimental surgery performed on him—Charlie undergoes the operation. He is initially disappointed that there is no immediate change in his intellect, but with work and help from Alice, he gradually improves his spelling and grammar. Charlie begins to read adult books, slowly at first, then voraciously, filling his brain with

knowledge from many academic fields. He shocks the workers at the bakery by inventing a process designed to improve productivity. Charlie also begins to recover lost memories of his childhood, most of which involve his mother, Rose, who resented and often brutally punished Charlie for not being normal like other children.

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As Charlie becomes more intelligent, he realizes that he is deeply attracted to Alice. She insists on keeping their relationship professional, but it is obvious that she shares Charlie’s attraction. When Charlie discovers that one of the bakery employees is stealing from Mr. Donner, he is uncertain what to do until Alice tells him to trust his heart. Delighted by the realization that he is capable of solving moral dilemmas on his own, Charlie confronts the worker and forces him to stop cheating Donner. Not long afterward, Charlie is let go from the bakery because the other workers are disturbed by the sudden change in him, and because Donner can see that Charlie no longer needs his charity. Charlie grows closer to Alice, though whenever the mood becomes too intimate, he experiences a sensation of panic and feels as if his old disabled self is watching him. Charlie recovers memories of his mother beating him for the slightest sexual impulses, and he realizes that this past trauma is likely responsible for his inability to make love to Alice.

Dr. Strauss and Professor Nemur take Charlie and Algernon to a scientific convention in Chicago, where they are the star exhibits. Charlie has become frustrated by Nemur’s refusal to recognize his humanity. He feels that Nemur treats him like just another lab animal, even though it is disturbingly clear that Charlie’s scientific knowledge has advanced beyond Nemur’s. Charlie wreaks havoc at the convention by freeing Algernon from his cage while they are onstage. Charlie flees back to New York with Algernon and gets his own apartment, where the scientists cannot find him. He realizes that Nemur’s hypothesis contains an

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error and that there is a possibility that his intelligence gain will only be temporary.

Charlie meets his neighbor, an attractive, free-spirited artist named Fay Lillman. Charlie does not tell Fay about his past, and he is able to consummate a sexual relationship with her. The foundation that has funded the experiment gives Charlie dispensation to do his own research, so he returns to the lab. However, his commitment to his work begins to consume him, and he drifts away from Fay.

Algernon’s intelligence begins to slip, and his behavior becomes erratic. Charlie worries that whatever happens to Algernon will soon happen to him as well. Algernon eventually dies. Fearing a regression to his previous level of intelligence, Charlie visits his mother and sister in order to try to come to terms with his past. He finds the experience moving, thrilling, and devastating. Charlie’s mother, now a demented old woman, expresses pride in his accomplishments, and his sister is overjoyed to see him. However, Rose suddenly slips into a delusional flashback and attacks Charlie with a butcher knife. He leaves sobbing, but he feels that he has finally overcome his painful background and become a fully developed individual.

Charlie succeeds in finding the error in Nemur’s hypothesis, scientifically proving that a flaw in the operation will cause his intelligence to vanish as quickly as it has come. Charlie calls this phenomenon the “Algernon-Gordon Effect.” As he passes through a stage of average intelligence on his way back to retardation,

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as he senses the return of his old self. When Charlie’s regression is complete, he briefly returns to his old job at the bakery, where his coworkers welcome him back with kindness.

Charlie forgets that he is no longer enrolled in Alice’s night-school class

for retarded adults, and he upsets her by showing up. In fact, Charlie has forgotten their entire romantic relationship. Having decided to remove himself from the people who have known him and now feel sorry for him, he checks himself into a home for disabled adults. His last request is for the reader of his manuscript to leave fresh flowers on Algernon’s grave.