A clockwork orange: chapter One Essay

One gets an initial impression of Alex and his friends from the outset page Alex says, There was me and my three droogs. Immediately this suggests that he and his friends are finish, wish a gang, and this leads on to the idea of dispute. The closeness of Alex and his friends is elaborated upon throughout the chapter. He frequently uses the phrase The four of us and, when speaking to Pete, Georgie and Dim, he says, Oh my brothers. Their close camaraderie is summed up on page six, where Alex drags it as being ordinarily angiotensin-converting enzyme for all and all for bingle.Then he begins to describe three devotchkas, whom superstar presumes to be members of a rival gang (the comwork forcetator is told that Alex and his friends are malchicks). There is no brevity in Alexs description, and he goes into detail when describing the clothes and constitute-up. It is believably here that Alex has a certain look on for these gang members, indicated by his lengthy description of their bright uniforms, and by the concomitant that he speculates on the large cost of these uniforms. But thither is to a fault a clear element of mockery. This is especially apparent in the censure These were supposed to be, with an emphasis on the book of account suppose. He is pose the credulity of the gang into doubt, debunking their claims. This is quite boyish in virtually respects, and reminds the reader of his tender age. Alex and his droogs also wear uniforms, and Burgess describes them in a way that makes them unique to those four by telling the reader what design each of the four had for their jelly mould, he is putting them apart from the tranquillity of the ball, giving them a uniqueness and style that no one else possesses. The uniforms are also a barrier between them and the residuum of the world.This is also true of the maskies that the four often wear. As well as the more practical use of hiding their face from recognition, the masks separate the boys fro m the rest of orderliness, making them stand out, and perhaps feel superior. Also, the outrageous costumes, to choose a better word, are a clear symbol of rebellion. It is ironic, therefore, that the boys wear them, as uniforms realize always been associated with conformity. The spoken communication of the boys is the most successful at suggesting interlocking with the outside. To begin with, the terminology are very harsh.Hard sounds, especially overt with the m whatsoever Ks, make the words infinitely more savage. The language apply to describe other masses is degrading old women are ptitsas and men are vecks. The boys do non use this language when speaking to people who are not involved in gang warfare. To the man attack out of the library, Alex is polite and uses mostly understandable language. It is obviously because he is mock the man, but it is also possibly because he would not understand (since it expects that he speaks normally). So this is their language, some thing they use to each other.This is a straightforward example of their conflict with the outside. But the language not further acts as a barrier between the four boys and the older members of society it also acts as a barrier between the boys and the readers. For anyone starting the book for the first time, the words used are baffling, and it takes a lot of getting used to. What is more, Alex feels the indigence to explain what some of the words mean a rooker (a hand, that is). It is at this prognosticate that the readers become, in effect, a part of the society that Alex is rebelling against. We are on the outside.Finally, the language is used in such(prenominal)(prenominal) an extraordinary way, that it alienates us even merely. It is in some instances quite chilling. Words equivalent poogly are very childish the best example is appy polly loggies, which is some corrupted baby version of the word apologies. It contrasts the stark violence of the book, giving it an even more savage tone. It is a strange mixture for Alex to use, reminding the reader that he is young. Plus, not only does it make the reader aware of the conflict Alex has with society, but also the deep oppose that is going on in Alexs mind. 1.What impressions are we given of the society and the environment presented in chapter one? Use examples. (10 marks) The first impression one gets when reading about Alexs world is what an absolutely seedy positioning it must be. The Korova Milkbar sounds very entertaining but rather run down, and one is informed that it is one of many mestos. Obviously it sells milk, but reading further on, one is told that this milk is plus something else, that something else being hallucinogenic drugs of some sort. It is and then that one gets an idea of the depravity of the society in which Alex lives.Alex then mentions what he and his friends do to obtain money either they can beat somebody up in an alley and empty his pockets, or they can do the ultra violent on an elderly woman in a shop and steal the money from the till. One realises that, fairly obviously, something has gone ill-treat with the world in Alexs time. Various violent and vile topics follow, such as gang warfare and the description of a drug-induced high. It paints a morbid picture of a world in which violence reigns supreme, where there are no rules any more and society has disintegrated.This is backed up by the fact that any kind of law enforcement is not mentioned until by and by in the chapter. These millicents are obviously not important and Alex and his friends can advantageously outsmart them. So, in effect, there is no law enforcement. Early on, the only indication that some sort of legal system exists is the fact that mestos were not licensed to sell liquor (which does not seem to stop them any way). Another aspect of society that is not missing, but seems unpopular, is that of literature.Alex reports that newspapers are not read much whether this is because of illiteracy or just lack of interest, one is unsure. The Public Biblio, which is the derelict-sounding municipal library, was something that not many lewdies used those days. Again, the author why is not clear. Owing to the other past-times of the day, namely ultra-violent criminal activities, it is likely that nobody is interested in literature any more. This certainly fits in with the way in which Alex and his friends persecute a man just because they motto him coming out of the library with books in his hand.However, there are references to constitutions that seem very active in the Alexs world. The first is the health service. A rozz informs the gang that there have been two hospitalizations. The fact that the hospitals in Alexs world are busy is blatantly obvious, due to the height of criminal activity. One is unsure of how efficient these hospitals are. In a State-run society such as this, one would imagine they were very inefficient indeed. The other institution that is still up and running is school.Alex himself tells us that he must go to school the following morning, and we later learn that this is a corrective school. Overall, the world in Alexs day seems extremely bleak. Wherever Alex is, it is clearly a police state, where individual rights and freedoms do not stand for much. The older, and in some ways, unnecessary institutions, such as the library system and newspapers, seem to have lost appeal completely, presumably replaced by worldcasts and Milkbars. It does not sound like somewhere anybody would actually want to live.