The+Inkblots

The Inkblots Erin Lucas Emily Downey Angela Scarponi Madi LaPalm

//Emily Downey//
 * Charlie's Opinion Before and After**

Before Charlie had his surgery to make him smarter, he was very open and friendly. After the surgery, he was more solitary and agressive. But Charlie's attitude towards people was not the only thing that changed once he became more intelligent: Charlie's opinions of people changed. Before the surgery, Charlie thought that everyone was his friend. He thought that when Joe Carp and Frank were making fun of him, they were doing what friends do to each other. He thought they genuinely liked him. After the operation, he realized he was mistaken: Joe and Frank only liked Charlie becasue Charlie made them feel smart. They made fun of him in a way that was not at all friendly, Charlie realized. Before the operation, Charlie thought Professor Nemur was one of the smartest men in the world. He thought Professor Nemur was a genius. After the surgery, Charlie realized he wasn't as smart as Charlie thought he was. Or, at least, Charlie thought Professor Nemur wasn't as smart as he thought he was. He discovered taht he was not, in fact, a genius. So Charlie no longer esteemed him as highly as he once did. He felt that Professor Nemur had misled him into believing he was a genius.

//Madison LaPalm//
 * Asylums of the Past**

Back in the 1950's and before, mentally handicapped were mixed with mentally insane people. Disorders were not at all correctly diagnosed, and many went through harmful and useless treatments. Here are some pictures that show the treatment many patients went through in the past.

These pictures show the mistreatment that many went through while they were in their hospitalization in asylums. They suffered malnutrition, treatments that would do no help, and not being monitored. Asylums have come a long way since the 50's and before, treatments in the past were primitive and ignorant. Now, we have an understanding of how to diagnosed and treat people who are suffering from mental illnesses.

Pictures found on firstlight.com

**Views in the 1960s compared to today**
//Angela Scarponi// Since the 1960’s, society’s view as a whole has changed in regards to minorities. Back then people were uneducated, making them think that anyone who wasn’t “normal” should be considered inferior and a disgrace to human kind. For example, segregation between African Americans and white people, or the fact that women had literally no rights just because they were considered weaker than men.

These movies portray this idea of inequality and how people’s views have changed from the 1960’s to present day.

__"Hairspray"__ This movie and musical, which takes place in 1962, shows how the general public used to be racially segregated. At one point during a protest demanding integration and equality, everyone involved was threatened to be arrested. Nowadays, something like this would never happen---Segregation is banned, all races are integrated, and there is far less racism and prejudice occurring in society.

__"Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner"__ This 1967 movie dealt with the concept of interracial marriage, which surprisingly was illegal in most states up until the year of the release of this film. In modern times, there are thousands of interracial marriages, and there are no laws against it. People are more open to this idea than they were in the past.

__"Charly"__ Flowers for Algernon, or the movie based off of it, Charly, also took place in the 1960s. Then, people did not understand what was wrong with mentally handicapped people. They believed they should be thrown in a home to suffer and be forgotten about. Some didn’t even think of them as human beings. Nowadays, people no longer view them as dumb and bothersome, but realize the fact that all they need is special care. It would never even cross the minds of people today to treat someone with a mental illness the way they did in the 1960s. As Charlie said: “I was wondering why the people who would never dream of laughing at a blind or a crippled man would laugh at a moron?” Today, no one has to worry about that because of the way society has progressed.

Sure discrimination, racism, and ignorance still exists, but this is inevitable. It’s just the way the human race is. The general public as a whole has progressed since the 1960s and has become more accepting of all types of people.

//Erin Lucas//
 * Charlie's Voice**

Charlie begins as a very open speaker. However, he has a hard time getting his thoughts across. He "sounds" very carefree and seems to be extremely happy. All he wants is for those he cares about to be proud of him. After the surgery, his voice becomes more intelligent. Charlie can get his thoughts across, but he starts to keep the more personal thoughts to himself. As he continues to grow, I can understand less and less of his speech. His thoughts become complicated and often goes in circles. The extremely intellectual Charlie talks in a more demeaning way. He makes me feel stupid even though he isn't talking to me. Near the end, Charlie get an agitated tone. A lot more gets to him and he stops being kind altogether. This really made me dislike him. I was glad when he reverted to the simpler Charlie. At the very end, he got back the part of him people liked, his pure-hearted kindness.

Charlie was an emotional roller coaster throughout the entire novel. I was very pleased with his attitude at the end. He continued a happier lifestyle without the trials of daily life.