Flowers for Algernon
Introduction + Context
Plot Summary
Detailed Summary & Analysis
Progris riport 1 Progris riport 2 3d progris riport Progris riport 4 Progris riport 5 Progris riport 6 Progress Report 7 Progress Report 8 Progress Report 9 Progress Report 10 Progress Report 11 Progress Report 12 Progress Report 13 Progress Report 14 Progress Report 15 Progress Report 16 Progress Report 17
Themes
All Themes Ignorance, Intelligence, and Happiness Intelligence vs. Wisdom and Morality Pride, Hubris, and the Tragic Hero Cruelty and Bullying Love and Sexuality
Quotes
Characters
All Characters Charlie Gordon Alice Kinnian Algernon Professor Harold Nemur Doctor Strauss Rose Gordon (Charlie’s mother) Fay Lillman Norma Gordon Fanny Birden
Symbols
All Symbols Algernon’s Maze Charlie’s Hallucinations (younger Charlie) Adam and Eve
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Flowers for Algernon

by

Daniel Keyes
Download this LitChart! (PDF)
Teachers and parents! Our Teacher Edition on Flowers for Algernon makes teaching easy.

Rose Gordon (Charlie’s mother) Character Analysis

Charlie Gordon’s mother, and one of the most important influences on his life. Rose is a domineering, cruel mother who’s obsessed with outward appearances. She spends years denying that Charlie is mentally disabled, despite all evidence to the contrary, and later, when she can’t deny it any more, she sends Charlie to live with his uncle. Rose continues to wield great power over Charlie even after Charlie becomes a genius. Because Rose used to beat him as a child for showing any interest in women, Charlie later finds it difficult to form intimate relationships with Alice Kinnian. In general, it’s suggested that Charlie’s ambition and need for validation are partly the result of his mother’s abusive and controlling attitude.

Rose Gordon (Charlie’s mother) Quotes in Flowers for Algernon

The Flowers for Algernon quotes below are all either spoken by Rose Gordon (Charlie’s mother) or refer to Rose Gordon (Charlie’s mother). For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Ignorance, Intelligence, and Happiness Theme Icon
).
Progress Report 7 Quotes

Well I tolld her that made me kind of feel bad because I thot I was going to be smart rite away and I coud go back to show the guys at the bakery how smart I am and talk with them about things and mabye even get to be an assistint baker. Then I was gone to try and find my mom and dad. They woud be serprised to see how smart I got because my mom always wanted me too be smart to. Mabey they woudnt send me away no more if they see how smart I am.

Related Characters: Charlie Gordon (speaker), Alice Kinnian, Rose Gordon (Charlie’s mother), Matt Gordon
Ignorance, Intelligence, and Happiness Theme Icon
Intelligence vs. Wisdom and Morality Theme Icon
Pride, Hubris, and the Tragic Hero Theme Icon
Page Number: 34
Explanation and Analysis:
Progress Report 13 Quotes

A funny thing about Guarino. I should resent him for what he did to me, and for taking advantage of Rose and Matt, but somehow I can't. After that first day, he was always pleasant to me. There was always the pat on the shoulder, the smile, the encouraging word that came my way so rarely.

Related Characters: Charlie Gordon (speaker), Rose Gordon (Charlie’s mother), Matt Gordon, Dr. Guarino
Cruelty and Bullying Theme Icon
Page Number: 145
Explanation and Analysis:
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Rose Gordon (Charlie’s mother) Quotes in Flowers for Algernon

The Flowers for Algernon quotes below are all either spoken by Rose Gordon (Charlie’s mother) or refer to Rose Gordon (Charlie’s mother). For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Ignorance, Intelligence, and Happiness Theme Icon
).
Progress Report 7 Quotes

Well I tolld her that made me kind of feel bad because I thot I was going to be smart rite away and I coud go back to show the guys at the bakery how smart I am and talk with them about things and mabye even get to be an assistint baker. Then I was gone to try and find my mom and dad. They woud be serprised to see how smart I got because my mom always wanted me too be smart to. Mabey they woudnt send me away no more if they see how smart I am.

Related Characters: Charlie Gordon (speaker), Alice Kinnian, Rose Gordon (Charlie’s mother), Matt Gordon
Ignorance, Intelligence, and Happiness Theme Icon
Intelligence vs. Wisdom and Morality Theme Icon
Pride, Hubris, and the Tragic Hero Theme Icon
Page Number: 34
Explanation and Analysis:
Progress Report 13 Quotes

A funny thing about Guarino. I should resent him for what he did to me, and for taking advantage of Rose and Matt, but somehow I can't. After that first day, he was always pleasant to me. There was always the pat on the shoulder, the smile, the encouraging word that came my way so rarely.

Related Characters: Charlie Gordon (speaker), Rose Gordon (Charlie’s mother), Matt Gordon, Dr. Guarino
Cruelty and Bullying Theme Icon
Page Number: 145
Explanation and Analysis:
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