Where do I come into all of this? Am I just some animal or dog?' And that started them off govoreeting real loud and throwing slovos at me. So I creeched louder still, creeching: 'Am I just to be like a clockwork orange?
The narrator expresses a deep sense of existential questioning, wondering about his role in a world that often reduces individuals to mere objects or animals. This reflection is sparked by a moment of confrontation where he feels belittled and dehumanized by those around him. His cries signal a desperate attempt to assert his humanity, challenging the notion that he is simply a mechanical being without agency.
In this context, the reference to being a "clockwork orange" highlights the tension between free will and societal control. The phrase captures the struggle of maintaining individuality and moral choice in a system that seeks to strip away personal identity. The narrator's plea for recognition emphasizes the importance of understanding one’s self-worth amid external pressures that seek to define and limit it.