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Alex's Violent Adventures: Why Does He Become a Rebel in Future Society?
In Anthony Burgess' 1962 dystopian novel "A Clockwork Orange", readers are taken into a future society composed of extreme violence. The protagonist of the story, Alex, is a A 15-year-old gang leader whose violent behavior and struggles with state authorities depict a profound conflict between individual freedom and social control.
This novel exists to challenge fundamental notions of free will and explore society's fear of uncontrolled young people.
Alex's World
The beginning of the story introduces the life of Alex and his "droogs" (friends). They frequented the Korova Milk Bar and enjoyed milk laced with various drugs in preparation for their "ultra-violent" acts. Alex has a complex personality. He is not only a ruthless thug, but also has an extremely strong love for classical music, especially the works of Beethoven.
Readers witnessed the sharp contrast between Alex's passion for "music" and his current behavior when he committed indiscriminate violent crimes.
He and his companions participated in attacks on passers-by, robbery of shops and even violence against a young couple. These scenes are not only exciting, but also profoundly reveal the distortion and cruelty of youth culture in future society.
Ludovico Technology
After a series of violent acts, Alex was eventually jailed for murder. In prison, he underwent an experimental behavioral modification treatment called the Ludovico Technique, which created aversion to Alex by exposing him to extremely scary and violent videos and using emetic drugs. Feelings, ultimately driving him to develop a physical aversion to violence.
However, a side effect of this technology is that Alex can no longer enjoy the classical music he once loved, which is tragic and ironic.
After completing this treatment, Alex was released and returned to society, only to find that he had become a person without freedom of choice. This experience led to profound questions about free will: What is the meaning of an individual's existence under the compulsion of the system?
Alone on the edge of society
Alex's return was not smooth, and he soon found that there was no place for him in the family. Society reacts with hostility to him, and his former companions no longer support him. He tries to find his place in his old environment, but encounters constant humiliation and suffering. After receiving angry revenge from the old scholar, Alex was beaten again by the companions he once stepped on.
This series of unfortunate encounters made him gradually realize that his future path may be darker than the past.
Just when he was at his wits' end, a writer who had been victimized by his own atrocities, F. Alexander, became Alex's safe haven. Unfortunately, Alex inadvertently exposes his identity and eventually returns to violence.
Looking for the possibility of redemption
All of this ultimately leads to a profound reflection, where Alex still yearns for change despite all the difficulties. Later, when he was placed in a hospital by the government, he found that his impulsive violence had recurred again, which brought him to a critical moment of choice. Can Alex get out of the haze of the past and find a new identity and life purpose? Can he resist a government that forces him to lose his free will?
The work finally comes to a contemplative ending. When Alex faces the mistakes he made in the past, he gradually realizes that the meaning of life does not lie in violence, but in creation and construction.
Eventually, Alex begins to question everything about himself and distances himself from the violence of his past. When facing possible future families and children, he thought about the choices and impacts on future generations. This future society is in sharp contrast with the current situation. Which one will be the final choice, resistance or submission?
Faced with such a situation, can we get rid of the shadow of the past and start over?
