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Algernon’s Maze Symbol Analysis |
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Charlie’s Hallucinations (younger Charlie)
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It’s no secret that Algernon the mouse’s experiences symbolize Charlie Gordon’s own struggles with genius. Algernon becomes irritated with having to solve endless mazes designed to measure his intelligence, and thus Algernon’s mazes symbolize Charlie’s own exasperation with the medical establishment. Professor Nemur—the man who designed Charlie’s brain surgery—parades Charlie around at a medical conference, forcing him to show off his new intellect. Just as Algernon becomes bored and frustrated, Charlie begins to resent Nemur for treating him like an animal or a sideshow attraction. Thus, Charlie and Algernon “escape” from the medical conference at the same time, turning their backs on the “mazes” of academic bureaucracy.