Lies And Deceit In Alex Rider's Scorpia

The fifteen year old, fair-haired, brown eyed, quick-witted MI6 spy Alex Rider gets entangled with a criminal organisation called Scorpia. In Horowitz’s novel Scorpia Alex’s world gets flipped upside down when he figures out that the father he was never acquainted with may have been an assassin for Scorpia. Now Scorpia thirsts to have Alex on their side and are deadset to get him. The reader questions if Alex will stay with MI6, who he believes have betrayed him, or join Scorpia and get his revenge. The character Alex Rider experiences character growth through the form of willpower, dubiety and intelligence.

The character Alex Rider has matured through the embodiment of willpower and determination. Towards the commencement of the novel Scorpia,

Alex’s dogmatism leads him to foolishly begin a journey following Yassen’s last words: ”...Go to Venice. Find Scorpia. And you will find your destiny...” (28). Encouraged by these words, Alex Rider plannifies a trip to Venice, Italy; here, Alex breaks into Ca’ Vedova and Cosanto. Unbeknownst about his journey except for the fact that somehow his family name is tied into the matter, Alex meets the executive of the organization, Scorpia. The executive is known by the name of Julia Rothman. She devotes her time to convince Alex of joining. To prove himself worthy he is asked to hunt down someone close to him; Mrs. Jones the director of MI6. This attempt of murder is unsuccessful, which is shown through the quote, “...I was never in any danger. Quite apart from the glass, you couldn’t even bring yourself to aim at me, Alex. I knew you couldn’t...” (379) Although he was unsuccessful he missed on purpose: Alex knows the difference between right and wrong. Allowing his willpower to consume him, Alex Rider drowned in his guilt. His willpower served him well although it often urged him to be deceitful to himself and to others.

Sullivan 2
There is an immense contrast between the abhorrent lies that Scorpia have told Alex and the frail truth which the MI6 have voiced. MI6, the secret service in Britain, has recruited Alex and used him for various missions. However, the MI6 have blackmailed him into participating in more operations than Alex has the time for. The MI6 have deceived Alex in many ways, such as lying about how the MI6 would no longer need him in their service. Furthermore, the MI6 has lied about Alex’s parents’ death. Moreover, the organization has blackmailed Alex into accepting his position to work there and multiple other times. On the other hand Scorpia’s lies have impacted Alex Rider in a severe function. Julia Rothman shows Alex a video of his father’s “death”. The company tells Alex that his father was killed by the MI6. In this way, “Alex felt hatred welling up inside of him. It was stronger than anything he has ever felt in his life.” (193) The reason they have made up this lie is because they need Alex’s help. Secretly, Scorpia is trying to kill Alex Rider.The dubiety and deceit in Alex’s life have made him a more intelligent person as he grew up.

The lies and deceit came into play as Alex’s intelligence levels skyrocketed.

Alex’s intelligence levels skyrocketed once he learned about Scorpia’s sinister plan. In the COBRA meeting Scrorpia’s plan is revealed, a plan to kill every child in England. This scheme with be executed by giving the children cyanide-filled injections. Alex came to this realisation when he called to mind something that Julia Rothman had told him, “... I guess you could say his death was a shot in the arm for all of us…” (134) Once Alex understands how threatening Scorpia’s project really is, he agrees to become a double-agent for MI6. The truth about Alex Rider’s familial life is revealed towards the completion of the Young Adult novel. The truth desired by Alex changed his surroundings. His parents had not died by what he had believed the MI6 but was killed by a plane crash caused by Scorpia. Alex felt relieved by the information, “...But at the same time, there was an overwhelming sadness, as though he were mourning his parents for the very first time…” (378) As well the truth came to light as he discovers that Alex’s father had not been working for Scorpia but for MI6. Although the news had not been what Alex expected, he feels that his goals from the beginning of the novel have been accomplished in ways Alex could never dream

of.

Alex Rider has developed his character through his various adventures and missions. The lies and deceitfulness which surround his life have left him with confusion and trust issues. He had a test of character when faced with the mission to kill Mrs.Jones and when he finally discovers the truth about his parent’s death. To the reader's eye it has been properly acknowledged that Alex Rider’s character has matured and fully grown into a determined, courageous young man.