Character Analysis
He's not the super-villain scientist of your nightmares, but he doesn't exactly have Charlie's back, either. See Nemur's not really into valuing human lives—or animal lives, for that matter. He's all about making a name for himself with the most impressive scientific achievements he can muster. Let's all say it together: E-G-O.
Charlie Who?
A human life doesn't have much more value than a mouse life to Nemur, unless he can somehow leverage it into more moolah and prestige. From the beginning, all of Nemur's moral choices are about furthering his precious career. Why not pressure Norma into signing away her brother's life? Why not throw Algernon's body into an incinerator? We'd hate to see how he'd treat Charlie after he regresses.
Whatever You Say, Honey
Nemur's pushy wife is behind his every move, so it's no surprise he takes it out on his underlings. And he definitely can't handle it when his pet science project undermines him in public: "You're making him feel inferior and he can't take it" (149), Strauss tells Charlie. Nemur is one blustery guy, but it's only to hide the fact that he's more insecure than a nerdy middle-schooler.