In his young life, Reese has experienced more than his fair share of the old violence. It surrounds him on the streets and at home, and even follows him into juvenile prison. Growing up, Reese often had to defend himself against his abusive father; in his neighborhood, people (including his brother Willis) are constantly getting shot; and in juvenile prison, Reese often gets into fistfights. He doesn't like violence, but he feels like it follows him everywhere.
Also worth noting? Lockdown critiques wartime violence, too, especially through the characters of Mr. Hooft, who was in a children's camp during World War II, and Willis, who might join the army.
Questions About Violence
- Do you think that Progress workers like Mr. Pugh are justified in using violence to enforce the rules? Why or why not? Cite evidence from the text to support your answer.
- Do you think Reese has no choice but to fight his fellow inmates? Or could his problems be resolved in some other way?
- What similarities do you see between the violence in Reese's environment and the violence that Mr. Hooft experienced as a child?
Chew on This
In Lockdown, the whole world is a place of inescapable violence.
In Lockdown, violence never pays.