Flowers for Algernon:Intelligence does not Equal Happiness
Summary:
Ignorance is bliss for Charlie Gordon, a character in the short story "Flowers for Algernon" by Daniel Keyes.
Intelligence is something that has always been valued, and highly respected, as far back as records go. It is often thought being intelligent means that you are the most insightful, successful, and productive of all people. But rarely do those things and intelligence alone create happiness. Compared to happiness, intelligence seems almost material.
"Now I'm more alone than ever before," Charlie Gordon, April 30th. At this point in the story, Charlie's intelligence level already exceeded that of his teacher, and of his doctors. He had been fired from his job at the factory, and he had nobody to relate to. He had nobody. Is that right there not proof enough that intelligence does not create happiness? I could have an IQ exceeding 200 and be the loneliest man in the world. I could bury myself in my work, shut out everybody else, or not take advantage of my intelligence and throw my life away. Take, for example, Edgar Allen Poe, considered a genius and writer nearly in the same league as Shakespeare. Poe died unhappy, and died of complications related to alcoholism.
It is very easy to understand the term 'ignorant bliss.' It means that stupid people don't really know what is happening, so it is of no worry to them, and they can continue being happy. Surely many people with high intelligence who are tormented daily by merely heir own thoughts would give their right arm to be 'stupid.' Such was the case with Charlie. When he worked at the factory he was happy, when he was at the school for adults he was happy, when people told him he had done will he was happy. When he was a genius none of those things would have mattered to him. His mind was more complex, he needed more, he wanted more, but there wasn't anything to grasp. As a result, he felt alone and buried himself in his work.
Another example is found when looking at youth. Five-year-olds giggle and bounce at the idea of the simplest things, such as going to Chuckie Cheese, or getting an ice cream cone. Those are the things that matter to them. They are blissfully happy. Never would you hear of a five-year-old who wanted to kill himself, and actually comprehended what he was saying. But you head adults and adolescents saying it all the time. Children and stupid people don't suffer from withdrawal and depression symptoms, and if they are ever upset they are easily consoled. That was how Charlie was before his operation.
In conclusion, intelligence alone can never lead to happiness. Not if you can't handle the responsibilities and pressures that go along with it. Happiness is something you have to find, not something you can simply have. Motivation, inspiration, and willpower are the necessities for creating happiness.
Happiness is a journey, not a destination.
-Souza
This is the complete article, containing 471 words
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