A developmental study of Alex in the Stanley Kubrick production of A Clockwork Orange using modern psychological theories

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Synopsis of A Clockwork Orange

In A Clockwork Orange, the main character is that of a mildly young child of 15 who, along with his fellow friends, or 'Droogs', partake in evenings of Ultra-Violence. Ultra Violence consists of random beatings, theft, destruction, and rape. The main character, Alex, is the self-proclaimed leader of the pack, and makes judgment on their actions pending on his mood. His Droogs eventually find themselves under his direct rule, following his every word, and decide to challenge his authority.

The three Droogs (Dim, Georgie, and Pete) join Alex on his romp to a local 'fat farm' to pillage the goods therein. Inside, Alex stumbles upon the owner of the resort, and after a length scuffle with her, ends up giving her a blow to the head with a rather large, ceramic replica of an erect penis. When he leaves the outer gates of the complex, Dim surprises him by smacking a milk bottle against his face.

His counterparts escape while little Alex is left bleeding and blinded to deal with the police.

Upon interrogation of Alex, he discovers that the blow he delivered to the young lady was a fatal one. He is charged with first-degree murder and sentenced to 14 years in prison. While there, he befriends the resident minister and becomes a helper to his service. The minister, Alex soon discovers, is a part in a new form of treatment that is trying to be implemented prisons to help 'cure' inmates from committing acts of violence. Through luck and discussion with the higher officials in the prison, Alex is chose to be a guinea pig for the experiment, and is sent to become 'inoculated from violence'.

The treatment consisted of Alex being strapped down to a chair in front of a cinema screen,