A Clockwork Orange Free Will Essay

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Government's Effect on Free Will in A Clockwork Orange
The term "clockwork orange" is referenced various times throughout Anthony Burgess’ novel A Clockwork Orange; however, the phrase "a clockwork orange" is only mentioned in the novel when it is associated with government. From the very first page it is established that the main character, Alex, is a rebellious 15 year old whose interests include violence and classical music. However, his criminal tendencies do not sit well with the government. While being incarcerated, he is subject to torturous experimental conditioning by the government in an attempt to rid him of his violent impulses and ultimately his free will. When being presented in front of an audience as evidence of the Ludovico …show more content…

Burgess states: “The important thing is moral choice. Evil has to exist along with good, in order that moral choice may operate. Life is sustained by the grinding opposition of moral entities” (Burgess XIII). The government will always try to maintain order, but alex still has the right to live his life how he pleases. every criminal act that alex does, he chooses. This perplexes the government leading them to question alex’s home life. If alex’s home life is unsatisfactory, it would explain his criminal tendencies. However, there are no factors of alex’s homelife that would explain his nature. P. R. Deltoid says to alex, “ You’ve got a good home here, good loving parents, [...] [i]s it some devil that crawls inside you?” P. R. Deltoid is trying to figure out why alex is the way he is but what he doesn't understand is that there is not “cause”, alex is the way he is because he chooses to be. Even so, alex is not destined to stay evil. In the final chapter of a clockwork orange, one of alex’s former partner in crime, pete, tells him that he has settled down and started a family leading alex to reflect on his life, realize that he is no longer happy living a criminal lifestyle, and decide to mature and change his

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