Themes In The House Of The Scorpion

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A great man once said, “Cloning will enable mankind to reach eternal life”, but is this really true? Enter the novel The House of The Scorpion, an exemplary title written by Nancy Farmer that explores a future based on cloning and futuristic technology. The protagonist of the novel, Matteo Alacrán, is the clone of El Petrón, the most powerful drug lord in the world. Throughout the book, Matt faces love, hatred, and injustice that can keep any reader on their heels. The House of The Scorpion follows Matteo through his life, from being “created”, until adulthood. Matteo Alacrán is the clone of the powerful El Petrón, a drug-lord that formed the country Opium. Matt goes through the story facing tremendous oppression, with the only people loving …show more content…

Knowing this, Celia poisons Matteo with cyanide over time to make sure he is unusable for any transplant for El Petrón. Consequently, El Petrón dies, and Matteo is told to run to Aztlán, where he can meet Maria once again. Matteo crosses the border, and is placed with orphans in an inhumane factory in San Luis, Aztlán. With his companions, Chacho, Fidelito, and Ton-Ton, Matt escapes the factory and finds the Convent of Santa Clara, where he is soon to be reunited with Maria. Upon entering the convent, he finds Maria as well as her mother. It is only at this point where Matt is informed that once El Petrón died, he was no longer a clone, instead was now a real human being. As a result, Matt would reclaim Opium with the help of the United States and Aztlán to uncorrupt Opium. Though many of his friends as well as enemies were dead upon arrival from drinking poisonous champagne, Matteo is successful in his mission and reclaimed his country. The House of The Scorpion is an excellent novel written by its brilliant author, Nancy Farmer. The book engages its audience on an emotional roller coaster that leaves the reader begging for more. From the complex scientific aspect of cloning in the novel to the drug trade in this futuristic world, readers of this novel are sure to have a sense of satisfaction from The House of The

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