Ah, family—they keep us sane and drive us crazy… or, as in Charlie's case, they treat him terribly and then try to get as far away as possible. This is not the Brady Bunch, folks. Charlie is never quite able to mend the rift in his family, but he takes important steps toward getting some closure in Flowers for Algernon. And really, it's not about making Mom or Dad or Norma happy—it's all about Charlie realizing he doesn't need his family's approval to be one super cool dude.
Questions About Family
- What themes come up in Charlie's dreams about his family?
- Why does Charlie put off seeing his family for so long after he has the operation? Why does he finally go to visit them?
- How does Charlie finally get closure?
- Do you think Charlie is interested in creating his own family? Why or why not?
Chew on This
Try on an opinion or two, start a debate, or play the devil’s advocate.
Charlie's dreams about his family help him come to terms with his difficult childhood.
By the end of the book, Charlie doesn't feel the need to have a supportive family to validate his worth.