Clockwork Orange

A Clockwork Orange

“What’s it going to be then, eh?” (Burgess 1). This question is frequently asked in Anthony Burgess’ A Clockwork Orange. The common theme, the symbolism, and the characters contribute to the answer found in the last few pages of the book.

The freedom of choice and the rehabilitating form of corrections in A Clockwork Orange produce the question about man's free will and the ability to choose one's destiny, good or evil. The main character, Alex, thought he “-was really a very lucky young malchickiwick” (97), when he was chosen to be the first to experience the government’s new treatment, Ludovico’s Technique, “-new like treatment that gets you out of prison in no time at all and makes sure that you never get back in again” (82). Little did he know, the treatment would make him feel “pains all over” (104), and extremely ill at any thought of “ultra violence”. His intentions “-to act violently [are] accompanied by strong feelings of physical distress” (126). Alex is forced to “switch to a diametrically opposed attitude” (126). Whenever he had a violent thought in his mind, he quickly replaced it with a good thought, no violence or evil. At the end of Ludovico’s Technique, Alex was “ready to turn the other cheek, ready to be crucified rather than crucify, sick to the very heart at the thought even of killing a fly” (129). He could no longer choose his destiny, the government chose it for him.

There are many symbols throughout A Clockwork Orange. Alex spent most of his time at The Korova Milkbar. “The Korova Milkbar was a milk-plus mesto” (1). Drugs were mixed with the milk, which is ironic because younger children are nourished with milk. I think the milk symbolizes immaturity, because usually younger children and teenagers are immature. After Alex and his droogs drink their milk, they always end up doing something that could get them into serious trouble. Alex’s love and passion for music symbolizes the good in him. The book is a struggle between good and evil. His love for music is the good, whereas his actions and thoughts are evil. When he could no longer listen to Beethoven, the good in him, his love and passion, was taken away. It seemed like good had won the battle when Alex could no longer do bad things, but really evil won because his right to human freedom was taken away. Alex even referred to having Beethoven in the films “a filthy unforgivable sin” (113).

In the final chapter of the book, “What’s it going to be then, eh?” was finally answered. Alex came to the conclusion that “youth must go…”(190). No more milk at the milk bar, immaturity is now not a part of is life. He still has his passion for music, but his passion is no longer for Beethoven. One of his last thoughts was “I am not young, not no longer, oh no. Alex like growth up, oh yes”(191).