DIALOGUE

In the book Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes, the main character Charlie changed in so many ways. This character developed and became a whole new person. Dialogue throughout the book is proof of this character change. Dialogue is the words spoken from character to character, basically conversations in the book. In the beginning of the book Charlie wasn't that smart. He seemed to have the mind of a nine year old stuck in a grown man's body. On page 2 , Charlie is taking a ink blot test. Many people would understand what this is but Charlie dosen't understand. Here is an example of how he was in the beginning of the book before he got a surgery and became a genius. He is talking with Burt, the person giving him the test. Burt said"Charlie what do you see on this card" Charlie said"I see spilled ink on a white card" Burt said "yes" Charlie is supposed to tell Burt what he sees, but charlie cannot understand, a test that is very simple for many, is the hardest thing for him. He has no idea what to do. Another example is on page 4. Charlie said"I didn't spill the ink on the cards, and I couldn't see anything in the ink." Miss Kinnian never gave me test like that only writing and reading' Dr.Strauss" Miss Kinnian said you were her best pupil in the Beekman school for retarded adults, and you tried the hardest because you really wanted to learn." " How come you went to the Beekman school all by herself Charlie, how did you find out about it" Charlie said" I don't remember" Here Charlie dosen't even remember a very important detail of his life. In the beginning Charlie is a mentally handicapped adult. Towards the middle he goes under a life changing surgery. He becomes a genius. His feelings change, he remembers things he didn't before,and his life takes a dramatic turn. On page 217-218 most of the dialogue is very important. One part of it is Charlie said " Tell me" ' I just got a look at your incinerator for disposing of experimental animals. What plans have been made for me?" Dr.Strauss said " What do you mean" Here Charlie is using big words that in the beginning he never heard of, couldn't spell, and didn't know the definition. Here he is using them like he's a pro, and has been saying them all his life. The dialogue helps me see that in the beginning of the book Charlie had no sense at all , but then towards the middle he became the smart person he always wanted to be or at least he thought he wanted to be. From the dialogue I was able to see a change in Charlie and the way that the surgey had such a dramatic impact on him.

Maya Lashley