Identifying Literary Conflict in Flowers for Algernon

This Storyboard That activity is part of the lesson plans for Flowers for Algernon




Copy Activity*


Activity Overview

Storyboarding is an excellent way to focus on types of literary conflict. Have your students choose an example of each literary conflict and depict them using the storyboard creator.

In the storyboard, an example of each conflict should be visually represented, along with an explanation of the scene, and how it fits the particular category of conflict.


Literary Conflict Examples in Flowers for Algernon



MAN vs. MAN

Charlie and Alice quarrel with one another when she finally becomes angry with Charlie’s attitude. She tells him that he has changed and he’s lost the qualities that used to make him likable. Charlie responds in anger because he feels like everyone expects him to stay the same, so they can continue to treat him with cruelty.


MAN vs. SELF

Charlie feels like he is being watched by “Charlie”, a disassociated version of himself. He says that you can’t put up a new building without destroying the old one, and the older version of Charlie interrupts his thoughts and comes between the relationships and experiences he’s trying to understand.


MAN vs. SOCIETY

The workers at the bakery treat Charlie differently before and after the surgery. Before the surgery, employees Jo, Frank and Gimpy tease Charlie viciously and see him as a target for their pranks and jokes. Once Charlie’s intelligence increases, however, they begin to fear him because they don’t understand the change. They stop talking to him and become openly hostile towards him.



Copy Activity*


Template and Class Instructions

(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)


Student Instructions

Create a storyboard that shows at least three forms of literary conflict in Flowers for Algernon.


  1. Identify conflicts in Flowers for Algernon.
  2. Categorize each conflict as Character vs. Character, Character vs. Self, Character vs. Society, Character vs. Nature, or Character vs. Technology.
  3. Illustrate conflicts in the cells, using characters from the story.
  4. Write a short description of the conflict below the cell.



Copy Activity*



More Storyboard That Activities

Flowers for Algernon



Copy Activity*