Freedom of Choice in Human Engineering: Charlie's Lack of Autonomy in 'Flowers for Algernon' Vivian Cummins 12th Grade

In Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes, Charlie’s experience as part of a psychological experiment demonstrates the importance of the freedom of choice. Charlie’s freedom of choice is neglected from the beginning, as he is not allowed to consent to the experiment due to his mental state. Instead, a sister he hardly knows signs his life away in the name of a science she knows nothing about. After the surgery, his intelligence progresses at a rapid rate, which in turn introduce a plethora of repressed memories filled with abuse and sorrow. These memories allow Charlie to realize that he has never had the freedom to choose for himself. As Charlie observes his friend, Algernon, deteriorate and die, he makes the biggest choice of all: allowing the same to happen for himself.

At the beginning of the novel, Charlie has an Intelligence Quotient of about 70. His low intelligence makes him a perfect candidate for the operation Dr. Strauss and Professor Nemur have in mind, and Charlie is more than willing to go through with the operation, stating “I hope they can use me...they can make me smart. I want to be smart” (Keyes, 1). However, the doctors strip Charlie of his freedom to consent to the operation, claiming they “got to get...