The Measure of a Man
Daniel Keyes' classic tale Flowers for Algernon is enjoyed throughout the world. It first appeared[1] as a magazine story in 1959 and was later made into a novel and a movie. Although the story is generally considered science fiction, readers have always loved it for its basic human truths.
It is the story of Charlie, a thirty-two-year-old man whose IQ is only 68. He works during the day in a bakery and attends a reading class for slow learners at night. At work, Charlie's foolish behavior amuses his coworkers. Charlie, however, assumes[2] they are laughing with him, not at him. He considers them his friends and tries hard to fit in.[3]
Meanwhile, through an experimental[4] operation, scientists greatly increase the intelligence of a mouse named Algernon. They decide to try the same experiment on a human. They choose Charlie because he is so eager to learn and become smart like other people. The operation is successful and Charlie becomes steadily1[5] more intelligent.[6]
丹尼尔 凯斯的经典之作《献给阿尔吉农的花束》广受全球读者喜欢。此作品最早于 1959 年刊载于杂志上，后集结成小说并拍成电影。虽然这个作品常见被视为科幻小说，却因书中所刻画的基本人性真相而深受读者喜欢。
故事的主角是一位名叫查理的男子，32岁的他，IQ只有68。查理白天在面包店工作，晚上则到专为学习迟缓者开设的识字班上课。工作时，查理滑稽的动作常惹得同事们发笑。然而，查理以为他们是跟他一块笑，而不是在笑他。查理把他们当作朋友，并且努力试着融入他们之中。
此时，科学家通过一项实验性的手术成功地使一只名为阿尔吉农的老鼠智商大幅提高。他们决定在人类身上尝试同一项实验。科学家选择了查理，由于他的学习欲望非常高，并且渴望变得跟别的人一样聪明。这项手术非常成功，查理的IQ稳定持续地提高。
Vocabulary
●1. appear v. to be seen publically for the first time 发表；上市
The author's new novel won't appear in bookstores until August.
这位作者的小说要到8月才会出版上市。
●2. assume v. to consider sth. to be true even though there is no proof 假定；以为
Karen was so friendly that Jack2 assumed she wanted to go on a date with him.
凯伦表现得过于友善的样子，以致于杰克以为她想要和他约会。
●3. fit in v. phr. to be accepted by others, esp. because of being similar 融入（环境／人群）
Yao Ming had difficulty fitting3 in as a boy because he was so much taller than other kids.
姚明童年时非常难和其他孩子打成一片，由于他的身材实在太高了。
●4. experimental adj. using new and unproven methods or ideas 实验性质的；试验性的
Experimental drugs are now available for treating some types of cancer.
现在已有几种实验性药物专治某些癌症。
●5. steadily adv. slowly and gradually 平稳持续地；稳步地
We hiked steadily for most of the day until we finally reached the TOP of the mountain.
大家以稳定的速度登山，几乎花了一整天后终于到达山顶。
●6. intelligent adj. able to think and learn quickly 聪明的；理解力强的
Amazingly, the boy was so intelligent that he graduated from college when he was only ten years old.
让人惊讶地，这名男宝宝天资聪颖，十岁时便从大学毕业。
More Information
1. science fiction n. 科幻小说
2. IQ n. IQ（即 Intelligence Quotient 智商商数的缩写）
3. bakery n. 面包店
Initially4[1], Charlie is happy; he can talk to others normally and be treated as their equal. His new intelligence also causes memories of his childhood to surface. The way others treated him had never bothered[2] him before. Now though, due to his improved IQ, his memories of past bullying5 create pain where before there was none.
As he becomes smarter than others, Charlie suffers a new and different kind of isolation6. Now he is too smart to fit in. When he figures out[3] a way to improve the bakery, his boss praises him, but his coworkers resent7 his new abilities.
Unfortunately, doctors hadn't counted on the operation having a merely temporary effect. Algernon becomes less intelligent and Charlie's mental[4]disability[5] slowly returns. As his IQ drops, he knows he will once again be mentally challenged. But Charlie has learned as much as he possibly could since his operation. The experience has motivated[6] him to keep on learning whatever he can.
刚开始，查理非常高兴；他可以和其他人正常交谈，又可以像普通人一样遭到平等的对待。新增的智商也勾起了他对童年的记忆。以前大家对待他的方法并不会带给他困扰。而今，因为他的智商提高了，过去其他人欺侮他的往事令他感到前所未有些痛苦。
当查理变得比别的人更聪明时，却深受另一种新的孤立之苦。目前他反而由于太过聪明而与人格格不入。当他想出一个改变面包店的方法而遭到老板赞赏时，同事们却对他新增的能力怀恨在心。
非常不幸地，大夫没料到这项手术只有短暂的成效。实验鼠阿尔吉农的智商渐渐退化，查理也愈加不聪明，慢慢回到智障的状况。伴随IQ渐减，他了解自己将会再度变为智障。不过，查理自手术后便极尽所能地汲取新知，如此的求知经验促进他在智商退化的状况下仍旧孜孜不倦地学习。
Vocabulary
●1. initially adv. at first 起初；刚开始
Gail didn't want to go to the party initially, but when she heard Sam would be there, she changed her mind.
盖儿刚开始并不想参加聚会，不过听说山姆会去，她就改变了主意。
●2. bother v. to annoy 烦扰；使烦恼
It really bothers me when my roommate stays up late playing loud music and partying with his noisy friends.
我的室友和他那群喧闹的朋友彻夜狂欢，还把音乐放得非常大声，真的是干扰到我了。
● 3. figure out v. phr. to realize sth. or solve a problem after thinking about it 想出；了解
My teenage son hasn't yet figured out what he wants to do with his life.
我那正值青春期的儿子还不了解自己将来要干什么。
●4. mental adj. related to the mind 智商的；精神（心理）的
A psychiatrist8 can often help people who have problems with their mental health.
精神科医师一般可以帮助精神方面有问题的人。
●5. disability n. a condition in which sb.'s body or mind doesn't function correctly（身体或心智）障碍；残疾
Due to her physical disability, Tammy wasn't able to climb steps very well.
因为肢体残疾，谭美在爬楼梯时不太便捷。
●6. motivate v. to make sb. want to do sth. 激起；使产生动力
Hearing how well my friend Chris speaks English has really motivated me to study harder.
听我朋友克里斯讲得一口流利的英文，让我产生愈加用功学习的动机。
More Information
1. equal n. （能力、地位、价值等、重要程度）同等的人
2. resent v. 厌恶；（对感到）怨恨
3. count on v. phr. 期望；指望
4. challenged adj.（身心方面）有障碍的