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The Meaning of Happiness in Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes

This analysis of Daniel Keyes' Flowers for Algernon asks whether ignorance is truly bliss. Using examples from the story, including Charlie's situational awareness and the dialogue of other characters, the student argues that a lack of knowledge can bring happiness but that knowledge itself can be used to seek happiness, as well.
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3
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877
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This essay received a B by one of Kibin's paper graders. Click here to see what was done well and what needs improvement.

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This essay received a B by one of Kibin's paper graders. Click here to see what was done well and what needs improvement.

More essays like this:

Not sure what I'd do without @Kibin
- Alfredo Alvarez, student @ Miami University
Exactly what I needed.
- Jenna Kraig, student @ UCLA
Wow. Most helpful essay resource ever!
- Chris Stochs, student @ UC Berkeley

View other essays like this one:

Bridget's feedback:

"It's clear you've engaged with the text and thought about its provocative questions. (I assume this analyzes the novel, and not the original story, due to the formatting of the title, but I suggest clarifying this for your reader.) As you move forward in the drafting process, I recommend focusing on purpose and organization. Your opening and closing lines really zoom out from the text; I encourage you to keep the focus by considering the ideas as specifically the novel's theme and message, rather than commentary on the moment of writing the essay. You can see a good example of this if you contrast your introductory paragraph's final sentence (which describes the character) and your very last sentence, which is no longer about Charlie or the novel.

Keeping this narrow focus helps your reader out, as does an organization that reflects the logical movement within your discussion. Your final body paragraph and conclusion seem to have run together, making it hard for the reader to understand the balance of the ideas (across detail, analysis, and summary). The inner organization of the first two body paragraphs are solid, so I suggest using those as models to clean up that last page and a half in terms of the structure, organization, and argumentation."

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