A Clockwork Orange, by Anthony Burgess, is a satirical novel, in which the society is heavily criticized and is revolved in many controversial issues, regarding to human nature, morality and human freedom. Alex, the protagonist of the novel, shows the darkest side of mankind and society. Due to Alex’s obscene behaviors and crimes that he has committed, the state attempts to cure him with the controversial Ludovico’s Technique, by forcefully “injecting” him with goodness and depriving him from human freedom at the same time.The novel debates on whether morality should be imposed by force or free will, and whether order in society or freedom of choice helps to build a stronger character. A Clockwork Orange explores the human nature, morality and human freedom with the frightening story of a fifteen year old sadist.
In the novel, Alex’s human nature, or rather, his own character is forcefully altered by the Ludovico’s Technique, a new technology that is invented by the state.In hopes to decrease crime rates and put order in society, the authorities of the state find it appropriate to simply change one’s character by medication, rather than reforming the mentality of the individual. In a way, authorities are trying to play the role of God, who created human and human nature in the first place, by changing the human nature of certain unfavorable individuals, and recreating the new characters for such individuals. Although being evil is deemed as a bad characteristic, it is his evilness that makes Alex more human.Instead of being perfect and controlled, under the influence of medication, Alex is himself and his evilness is a composite of his character. Human nature cannot be altered by force, but only by own will and faith, or else the meaning of being human is lost.
The authority and one’s faith can serve to change a person into a better person; however, the latter proves to be more effective as it truly changes one’s morality. After receiving treatment from the Ludovico’s Technique, Alex has not truly become a better person. He is merely bounded by the pain that causes him when he thinks of violence.He is in good behavior because of the medicine, not because he wants to be good. The Ludovico’s Technique retrains him physically and fails to change his morality.
After his release from prison, Alex still desires for violence, except he is physically incapable of committing crimes due to the treatment. “I cracked back skorry which a ‘You’re your dirty big fat hole, you,’ feeling sick” (pg. 136) Evidently, there is no change in Alex’s attitude. Contrasting the state’s view, Burgess emphasizes that only believing in goodness can change one’s morality, as Alex has no remorse after his imprisonment.Throughout the novel there is an apparent opposition between the order in society and freedom of choice.
Is it worth it to keep the society in order at the cost of human freedom? In the state’s attempt to keep the society in perfect order, Alex has become less human without his own distinct human nature, as mentioned earlier. He has conformed to society unwillingly, also signifying his lost of freedom as well as individuality. In prison, he is recognized as a number, “6655321”, and after prison he still has no control over himself.His actions are restricted by the effects of the Ludovico’s Technique, not by his own will.
If the society is kept in order in a way such that men are reformed only physically and not mentally, by force and not by faith, then it is pointless to try to change men, who do not believe in goodness, as they still desire violence. Men should be granted with freedom to choose to believe and accept goodness, because they can be truly reformed by this way. Towards the end of the novel, without the aid of the medication, Alex seems to starting having a sense of morality.This time, he is really changing. A Clockwork Orange is a powerful novel which has brought up many controversial topics on human nature, morality and human freedom.
Burgess has clearly established the fact that morality can only be imposed by free will, not by force, nor by authority. Imposing goodness by force only has a physical impact on a man, and does not truly changes him. In order to truly reform a person, he or she must be granted with the freedom of choice and opportunity to believe and have faith in goodness. Only this is true morality and goodness.
