Society has become a superficial place. If an individual does not fit the social form of the normal person, he or she is treated differently. But does society treat those who are different in a negative or positive way? In the novel Flowers for Algernon, author Daniel Keyes shows an in-depth look at the treatment of individuals in today's society. First, society tends to discriminate against those whose IQ does not fall within the norms of our society. The physically handicapped in today's world are not considered "equal" to those who fall within the normal physical appearance, Keyes describes this through Charlie's thoughts while at the bar. Even though animals are technically not humans, society treats them in a way that no human would want to be treated, animals have "feelings" just like humans and don't deserve to be tormented just because they can't speak. In today's society, those who do not fall into the category of the norm are treated negatively. In the novel Flowers for Algernon Keyes shows the treatment of different individuals in an intriguing and individual way. Daniel Keyes shows how negatively those with abnormally low or high IQ are treated differently in society. Society tends to think that people with an abnormally low IQ and considered mentally disabled do not have feelings because they cannot understand what is said to them. People take advantage of those of low intelligence and use them for their personal entertainment "They gave me a lot of drinks and Joe said Charlie is a card when he's potted. I think that means he likes me. We have fun but I can't wait to be as smart as my best friends Joe Carp and Frank Reilly." (Keyes 30). This quote shows how Charlie's "friends" used and... middle of paper... mental disability. In conclusion, society treats some individuals in a negative way, usually these individuals are slightly different from the norms of our society. The novel Flowers For Algernon by Daniel Keyes details the treatment of the mentally disabled, but through Charlie's thoughts and emotions it also paints the picture of the treatment of the physically disabled and the treatment of animals. Society can learn from this novel in many ways. As the reader gets to know and understand Charlie's life through his progress reports, his perspective changes on how others should be treated, not as test subjects or animals, or unworthy people, but as equals. Everything that lives and breathes has feelings, emotions and a personality and should not be discriminated against because they differ slightly from the norms of today's society.