A Clockwork Orange (Magill’s Guide to Science Fiction and Fantasy Literature)
At a glance:
- Author: Anthony Burgess
- First Published: 1962
- Type of Work: Novel
- Type of Plot: Science fiction—dystopia
- Time of Work: The late twentieth century
- Setting: England
- Genres: Long fiction, Science fiction, Satire, Dystopian fiction
- Subjects: Freedom, Language or languages, Teenagers, Crime or criminals, Murder or homicide, Twentieth century, Music or musicians, Social issues, Future, Gangs, youth, Antiheroes, Law or legislation, England or English people, Violence, Good and evil, London, Ethics, Science fiction, Horror, Psychoanalysis or psychoanalysts, Behavior modification, Juvenile delinquency, Parole
- Locales: England
The Plot
Alex and his three “droogs” (companions), Pete, Georgie, and Dim, amuse themselves by getting high on drugs, exercising wanton violence on defenseless victims, and engaging in rumbles with rival gangs. They relish “ultra-violence,” vividly demonstrated by a “surprise visit” they pay to a writer’s house in the country. They beat the owner and rape his wife. Alex is warned by his probation officer against such antics, but the young thug overreaches himself and is captured after breaking into an old woman’s house and beating her senseless. He is sent to...
[The entire page is 1206 words long]
Join eNotes
Over 3,500 study guides, question and answer forums, literature criticism, reference content, and much more!
Navigate
See Also
