Significance of the Unconscious Mind and Memories in Daniel Keyes' Flowers for Algernon: a Cognitive Narratological Approach

The aim of this thesis is to contrast the past and present self of the main character of the Flowers for Algernon (Keyes 2004) through the representations of his unconscious mind with the use of the interconnection of psychoanalytic theory and cognitive narratology. Furthermore, I want to shed light on the narrative and cognitive characteristics of the narrator as the focalizer. In the analysis of the progress reports of the protagonist, Charlie Gordon, memories of his family members have key-significance in connection with the formation of his identity. The multiple code theory of Wilma Bucci helps in determining to what extent do the past experiences influence his present actions and cognitive functions. After mapping the core of the identity of the character, with the main aspects of his narratives, mostly memory monologs, the analysis focuses on the similarities of the past and present by giving the impression that of present being a constant repetition of the past time. I intend to prove that his sense of self is being established on the basis of his past experiences ingrained in his mind, suggesting that an individual without his/her own memories cannot be called the same individual. Therefore, visible narratological and psychological changes could be observed in the narratives of Charlie under the recollection of old memories, which seems to reflect changes in his narrative and cognitive self.