4 ms·

We read this aloud together in grade school. I skipped ahead and thoroughly regretted it. The class was still in the hopeful portion, and I had to watch them co

We read this aloud together in grade school. I skipped ahead and thoroughly regretted it. The class was still in the hopeful portion, and I had to watch them come to the same realization I did. When you're that young, you're used to the idea that you will constantly learn, grow, and expand your horizons. The idea of regression is both real and likely is frightening and motivating. It's truly a story that has stuck with me.

myth2018 3y ago
That's an interesting insight. I didn't notice that Charlie's trajectory also works as an allegory for the regular mental decline of the average person
- sorokod 3y ago
  Charlie's trajectory may be your trajectory, not as an allegory. You may be that average person.
  - mrexroad 3y ago
    s/allegory/analogy/ It may just be a side effect of my dyslexia coping, but I read it as ‘analogy’ until reading your comment. Even then, I’m am pretty sure everyone knew they meant ‘analogy’ and just moved on. It’s okay to point out mistakes, but please be civil when doing so.
    - myth2018 3y ago
      Hi, but I meant allegory indeed. According to Wiktionary: - (rhetoric) A narrative in which a character, place, or event is used to deliver a broader message about real-world issues and occurrences. - A picture, book, or other form of communication using such representation. - A symbolic representation which can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, usually a moral or political one. He might have been triggered by my use of "average". I realize it now that it may not have been adequate, sorry for that, English is not my first language.
      - mrexroad 3y ago
        My bad, my dyslexia and reacting to less-than polite comment got best of me :)
  - IggleSniggle 3y ago
    It wouldn't be allegory if it didn't apply to the majority of the bell curve. I'm not sure why you say "not an allegory." If Flowers for Algernon wasn't a story with something to teach us about our own lives, then I don't think so many of us would find it interesting. The only reason some people escape this fate is that they die too young.
- magnio 3y ago
  > the regular mental decline of the average person of every person
  - keiferski 3y ago
    I don't think that's true at all. Most people die before they fall to the level of intelligence the character does near the end of the novel. Even many 90-year olds are still fairly lucid.
    - Fricken 3y ago
      The key word is 'allegory'
  - ebiester 3y ago
    ...if they live long enough. (Pedantically, that decline may take less than 15 seconds.)

myth2018 3y ago

That's an interesting insight. I didn't notice that Charlie's trajectory also works as an allegory for the regular mental decline of the average person

sorokod 3y ago
Charlie's trajectory may be your trajectory, not as an allegory. You may be that average person.
- mrexroad 3y ago
  s/allegory/analogy/ It may just be a side effect of my dyslexia coping, but I read it as ‘analogy’ until reading your comment. Even then, I’m am pretty sure everyone knew they meant ‘analogy’ and just moved on. It’s okay to point out mistakes, but please be civil when doing so.
  - myth2018 3y ago
    Hi, but I meant allegory indeed. According to Wiktionary: - (rhetoric) A narrative in which a character, place, or event is used to deliver a broader message about real-world issues and occurrences. - A picture, book, or other form of communication using such representation. - A symbolic representation which can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, usually a moral or political one. He might have been triggered by my use of "average". I realize it now that it may not have been adequate, sorry for that, English is not my first language.
    - mrexroad 3y ago
      My bad, my dyslexia and reacting to less-than polite comment got best of me :)
- IggleSniggle 3y ago
  It wouldn't be allegory if it didn't apply to the majority of the bell curve. I'm not sure why you say "not an allegory." If Flowers for Algernon wasn't a story with something to teach us about our own lives, then I don't think so many of us would find it interesting. The only reason some people escape this fate is that they die too young.
magnio 3y ago
> the regular mental decline of the average person of every person
- keiferski 3y ago
  I don't think that's true at all. Most people die before they fall to the level of intelligence the character does near the end of the novel. Even many 90-year olds are still fairly lucid.
  - Fricken 3y ago
    The key word is 'allegory'
- ebiester 3y ago
  ...if they live long enough. (Pedantically, that decline may take less than 15 seconds.)