A Clockwork Orange

There are a number of explanations for Alex's "badness" that can be offered after a reading of Anthony Burgess' A Clockwork Orange. One explanation could be that his dysfunctional family motivates him to express his frustration through violence and gang membership. Another explanation might be that Alex lives in a violent society and his expression of violence is a reflection of that society. Despite these or other theories for Alex's "badness," one offers itself that goes further in explaining Alex's behavior. Alex lives in a society whose institutions limit free speech, repress individual expression and deaden the mind. Therefore, Alex's "badness" is a product of the state, one whose repressive measures are so savage that it creates individuals like Alex.

Alex lives in a violent and insensitive environment at home and socially. The state is repressive and constrains free speech and expression. It is in such an environment that Alex drinks drug-laced milk cocktails to deaden his feelings and emotions, especially before a night of violence. Like the state numbs expression and uses violent means to enforce its will, Alex numbs his expression with drugs so he can violently impose his will. After his droogs terrorize one victim, Alex informs us, "there was like quiet and we were full of like hate" (Burgess 23). In this state, Alex is often confused about emotions that stem from human capacity for "goodness." We see this when he obs

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fine laughing malchick. They don't go into what is the cause of goodness, so why of the other shop? If lewdies are good that's because they like it, and I wouldn't interfere with their pleasures" (Burgess 40). The above passage demonstrates that Alex lives in a mechanical and secular environment that removes from consideration any absolute moral authority. In the state in which Alex lives, there is no system of virtue, no code of right behavior, and Alex's "badness" demonstrates that there is a need for a moral authority in society. However, lacking one the state merely chooses to violently impose its will on those whose behavior is deemed "bad" by the state. The Ludovico Technique shows that the state is attempting to eliminate the very "badness" in Alex that is has created. In doing so, however, it also removes Alex's capacity for goodness as well as badness. To escape these measures of control by the state or others, Alex blindly follows the "badness" of his peers. Alex continually repeats the phrase "What's it going to be then, eh" (Burgess 1)? This demonstrates Alex's uncertainty about his fate and the future, existing in such a state. Ironically, even though Alex insists he is following his will in carrying out act

Category: Literature - A