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

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

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), Matt Gordon, Rose Gordon (Charlie’s mother), Alice Kinnian

Page Number and Citation: 34

Explanation and Analysis:

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

Page Number and Citation: 145

Explanation and Analysis:

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

The timeline below shows where the character Rose Gordon (Charlie’s mother) appears in Flowers for Algernon. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Intelligence vs. Wisdom and Morality Theme Icon

March 6. Strauss and Nemur track down Charlie’s sister, Norma, who lived with Charlie’s mother in Brooklyn. Norma gives the doctors permission to operate on Charlie, meaning that Charlie will... (full context)

Pride, Hubris, and the Tragic Hero Theme Icon

...with his intelligence. He also wanted to become smart so that he could make his mother happy: his mother always wanted him to be cleverer when he was a child. (full context)

...politics, and religion. Charlie doesn’t know anything about these subjects, except that religion is good—his mother raised him to believe that God is great. (full context)

Charlie remembers his mother and his sister, Norma. When Norma was a baby, Charlie tried to comfort her, but... (full context)

...has a dream in which his parents argue with a schoolteacher about his future. Charlie’s mother insists that Charlie will go to college and be “normal” one day, but the schoolteacher... (full context)

...dream. He also remembers being six years old, before his sister, Norma, was born. Charlie’s mother, whose name is Rose, insists that Charlie was normal, though Charlie’s father, whose name is... (full context)

In the memory, Charlie tells his mother that he needs help going to the bathroom, and his mother angrily says that he’s... (full context)

...exposed herself to him. Then, Charlie remembers being a small child, and being beaten by Rose whenever he got an erection. Rose threatens to kill Charlie if he ever touches a... (full context)

...his sister Norma returning from school, happy at having gotten an “A” on her paper. Rose and Matt tell Norma to go play with Charlie, but Norma refuses. She shouts that... (full context)

During the flight, Charlie remembers being five years old and going with Rose and Matt to Dr. Guarino—a man who claims to be able to make Charlie smart.... (full context)

After the “procedure,” Dr. Guarino tells Rose and Matt to continue bringing Charlie in and paying him more money. As time goes... (full context)

...newspapers. In one news story, Charlie is surprised to find an interview with his own mother and sister. Since the news story includes their address, Charlie now has a way to... (full context)

...his parents arguing about sending him to the Warren State Home for the mentally disabled. Rose wants to send Charlie away, since she believes that Charlie’s presence is having a bad... (full context)

...where he works in the Bronx. Charlie chooses to do this before he sees his mother and sister, since he’s always felt that he’s closer with his father. In most of... (full context)

...father cuts his hair. As he sits there, Charlie remembers an argument between Matt and Rose from years ago. Rose shouts that Charlie has “got to go” to the Warren State... (full context)

...he confesses that he’s still “the old Charlie Gordon” sometimes—the frightened child who fears his mother. (full context)

...it’s very important but partly because he’s been putting off a visit to see his mother. Algernon is erratic and frustrating to work with. To relax himself, Charlie drinks and goes... (full context)

September 21. Charlie plans to visit his mother tomorrow. He’s very nervous, and keeps telling himself not to hate her. (full context)

September 27. It’s been three days since Charlie saw his mother. He describes the visit. (full context)

...to Marks Street, to the house where he grew up. He’s amazed to see his mother sitting on the stoop outside, washing the windows. This reminds Charlie that Rose was always... (full context)

Rose looks at Charlie with panic and fear. As Charlie moves toward her, Rose tries to... (full context)

Charlie calls to Rose and begs her to talk to him. He explains that he’s changed—he’s no longer mentally... (full context)

Charlie listens as Rose babbles about her son—a brilliant boy with a high IQ. Then, she claims that her... (full context)

Charlie decides that he should go. Before he leaves, he gives Rose a copy of his report on the Algernon-Gordon Effect—proof that her son turned out to... (full context)

...about Charlie’s operation, and that she’s been wanting to see Charlie for some time now. Rose had always told her that Charlie died in Warren, and she believed this until Nemur’s... (full context)

...again. She admits that she’s been feeling guilty for years—if it hadn’t been for her, Rose wouldn’t have sent Charlie away from home. (full context)

...But he promises to come back soon. He urges Norma to take good care of Rose. Norma is appalled that Charlie is leaving her so soon. She touches Charlie’s hand. Abruptly,... (full context)

Charlie thinks about Rose’s anger and hatred, and realizes that there’s no point in hating her. He forgives his... (full context)

...but finds that he can’t remember anything about it. He remembers his childhood, when his mother angrily tried to teach him how to read. Charlie begs to God, “Don’t take it... (full context)

...He orders her to leave immediately. He accuses Alice of pushing him, just like his mother. When Alice denies this, Charlie yells for Alice to leave. She leaves the apartment, weeping. (full context)

Flowers for Algernon

Rose Gordon (Charlie’s mother) Character Analysis

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

Progress Report 7 Quotes

Progress Report 13 Quotes

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