Literary Speculation: Anthony Burgess, A Clockwork Orange

Literary Speculation: Anthony Burgess, A Clockwork Orange

            A Clockwork Orange is a difficult book to review. First of all I disagree with any book that makes up or changes words to drive home the idea that the place is different. If it is something you created that has no name then fine name it, but don’t change the meanings of pre-established words so that your readers are half reading, half deciphering your book. I shouldn’t feel like reading your book is another homework assignment or job. I read for new opinions and views, not as a battle against the English language. Second of all, I enjoy books where the protagonist is everything we find as morally wrong with humanity. I loved the Prince Of Thorns series of books. They let us indulge our desire for reaching for our goals through whatever means necessary. In A Clockwork Orange, the “protagonist” Alex indulges his whims for “ultra violence,” robbing, beating, and raping his way through his teen years. Eventually he is captures and through a physiological process, loses his ability to pursue his desires for ultra-violence. Now abandoned in the world he had mistreated, victims of him and his gang, recognizing him and some realizing he can’t defend himself, assault him in vengeance.  The book ends with his psychological block being lifted. In the British version he loses his hunger for violence and is redeemed.

            Why the book is interesting to me is it performs one of the greatest switches in characterization and sympathy I have ever experienced. Alex is one of the vilest characters ever. The first part of the book is sickening. He equates rape and violence with fun. His only non-violent/”evil” pleasure is Beethoven’s music.

            Then he has this striped from him. He hasn’t changed, he still wants what he did before, but he cannot act on it. He cannot embrace who he is and what he wants. This also makes him extremely vulnerable and leaves him at the mercy of others “justice.” He goes from evil to utterly sympathetic and tragic. Even though I know he has done horrid things and deserves punishment, I think killing him would have been more acceptable then stripping his personality from him. Even His love of Beethoven is taken from him and causes him to try to kill himself. I cannot accurately describe the absolute 180 degree turn taken on this character taken after his “treatment.”

            A Clockwork Orange is not a good or fun book. It can get slow and when it isn’t slow its sickening. It is utterly depraved and raw but that is tempered by the second half where you have to reconsider this tragic character. I think anyone looking for philosophical questions in their books should absolutely read this. If you are squeamish about books and font want to be extremely uncomfortable, do not read.