The Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess opens with Alex and his droogs drinking and planning out their evening. But this seemingly normal evening spirals into something much darker and more complex, showcasing themes and messages that appear thought the rest of the book. Free will, violence, and opposition.
After Alex and his friends finish drinking they try to figure out what to do with their night . From this simple decision Alex exercises free will in the form of his thoughts and actions. Anthony Burgess put priority on "freedom to choose being the greatest human attribute". This presence of moral choice sets humans apart. Alex displays this theme on several occasions when making choices. After leaving the milk bar he and his friends beat up an elderly professor, lie about it to the police officers, and goes out again to rob a corner store and beats the shopkeeper and his wife. This sets up how Alex's free will and immoral choices steer him towards a path paved with rape, theft, and violence.
Leading into the next theme, violence. The obviously example of violence shown would be when Alex and his gang assault the old man, rip his clothes, and destroy his books; when they attack and steal from the shopkeeper and his wife, who are later hospitalized. This theme creates the start to a chain of violent rapes, murders, beating, and betrayals.
The chain is carried on with the theme of opposition. No matter the circumstances, Alex is always up against something. Whether its Alex vs. the government, Alex vs. the police, Alex vs. his victims, Alex vs. his droogs, Alex vs. himself, etc., he is always up against opposition.
The opposition, coupled with violence and free will help set up the first chapter of A Clockwork Orange with themes that carry throughout the rest of the book.
I haven't read this book, but the brief analysis is very simple yet still provides enough background. Your introduction is well written and focuses on the given prompt. However, I find myself re-reading this body paragraph numerous times. I feel that free will, violence, and opposition are three strong evidence that could use a paragraph each. Your support to the theme of violence lack strength compared to the examples given for free will. I think it's really good that you avoided plot summary, but to me, it seems as if your just dropping claims with actions from the book without explaining much of it. It could be that i'm just not used to this structure, too. Also, your last paragraph seems like you were in a hurry. I feel that breaking out a separate conclusion instead of coinciding it with your last piece of evidence would provide a much clear thought and prompt. Other than that, I really think you have a strong thesis for this novel.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Gloria about organization. My first thought after reading was that you should separate your three subjects into three paragraphs. Your conclusion paragraph should also be more than one sentence, in my opinion. I think you should include more specific details/examples of how each of these subjects are shown later in the book for stronger support of your claims. You have a great thesis and great ideas to build off of!
ReplyDeleteLike the other two say, I think you could organize this differently, and perhaps elaborate more on each detail. Breaking it up into paragraphs may make that easier too. I've read parts of this book, and you think and sum it up well, although perhaps you could establish better how truly dark the book really is. Other than that, great job!
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