Of Mice and Men Critical Lens

685 Words3 Pages
I strongly agree with the quotation, “In a dark time, the eye begins to see.” I believe this quotation means that when everything starts to get grim and go amiss, that is when people start to understand things clearer and see from a different point of view. This quote relates to the two novels, Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes and Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck. In the story Flowers for Algernon, the character Charlie Gordon can relate to the quotation. When Charlie learns he is going to grow more intelligent he can’t wait to have the surgery done. He believes he will have more friends and know everything. But once the effects of the surgery start to set in, and his intelligence increases Charlie starts to realize that everything is not as it seems. He comes to the grim realization that he is treated as an unaccepted freak on both ends of the scale. He also realizes that the new feelings that he developed for Alice Kinnian cannot be acted on as he imagined and planned on. It becomes a “dark time” for Mr. Gordon. And in all the sorrow he is feeling and pains that he is experiencing he realizes that the men that he viewed as Gods are the same as him - below him even. He figures out that even being one of the smartest men alive, still doesn’t ensure you have all the answers. Clearly Charlie’s struggles relate to the quotation. Daniel Keyes also uses symbolism that relates to the quotation. Throughout the book Charlie is symbolized by the mouse Algernon because of their similar experiences; since they both have had the surgery to enhance their intelligence. At the conference during the presentation, Charlie is itching, staring at Algernon in his cage. It subconsciously is reminding him of his own feelings: feeling trapped since he realized he was being used by the scientists. When he releases Algernon he feels relief, and free as if he is releasing himself.
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