Anthony Burgess published "A Clockwork Orange" in 1962. The novel takes place in America and is set in the future. However, the main character and narrator, Alex speaks a slang-riddled mix of Russian and English, so that leads the reader to believe that either the Soviet Union/Russia has influence in America, or that the main character has a fascination with the Soviet Union/Russia and has decided to adopt parts of the language.
The book follows the misguided adventures of Alex and his band of cronies as they terrorize the town and everyone in it. They attack an old man on the street, they break into a house, beat the husband, and rape the wife. In that house, Alex also notices that the husband is writing a book called "A Clockwork Orange", (coincidence????) Alex finally gets arrested when he breaks into a woman's house, but gets attacked by her many feline compatriots. Alex gets bogged down trying to escape the house, and eventually gets apprehended by a police officer and taken into custody. Alex is then brought to prison where he is beaten, abused, and forced to write all his crimes on paper. His lawyer arrives, but does not offer much help.
My predictions for the rest of the book is Alex will be sentenced to a juvenile rehabilitation of sorts, where he will be beaten and tortured. When he gets released he will become a target for street gangs and thugs, and he will struggle with his past, and try to remain out of trouble, but it will be extremely difficult for him. I think the book will end with Alex ending his own life due to the constant pain and grappling with his past.
You mentioned that Alex might be put in a juvenile rehabilitation in which he most likely will get beaten which is ironic, because such a place would be meant to help people like Alex turn their life around - not make them injured. However, I think that prediction is very possible, for it would show how corrupt that society is as well as show Alex how it is to be the victim in a crime.
ReplyDeleteYou're so close to what actually happens in the book! Honestly, your powers of prediction are amazing. Were you surprised by the true ending of the book? Probably not, but you should reread this blog post now that you've finished the book.
ReplyDeleteI just really enjoy that you call the woman's cats "feline compatriots" hahahahaha.
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