"When a man ceases to choose, he ceases to be a man" Discussing Issues of Morality in Anthony Burgess 'A Clockwork Orange' By Linsey May This study was initiated by an interview which Burgess gave in response to the controversy and acclaim equally given to his complex classic 'A Clockwork Orange'. Burgess suggested that the essence of the novel was an informal philosophical discussion as to the provenance of free will in issues of morality. This lead me to explore various philosophical responses to free will (mainly Pelagianism and early Existentialism ) in order to enlighten the fable that Burgess creates.
Although both the novel and Stanley Kubrick's film adaptation were controversial, Burgess never intended the book to be a horror story. Burgess attempted to tackle the issue of delinquency and gang activity amongst teenagers. His approach is political, but due to the glorification of sex and violence, the novel was misinterpreted. In the interview referred to before, Burgess stated " If a being can only choose good or only choose evil he does not have moral freedom" Free will has been so greatly explored over the past years because it is believed that if free will exists then there is no heaven or hell. In extreme views it is believed that all life is predestined, so an individuals journey to heaven or hell is already set before they take their first breath. If man has control over his actions, then he can manipulate his destiny, therefore changing his eternal afterlife. If this can be so easily manipulated then there is no need for heaven or hell, because they can be so easily avoided. But, to focus particularly on Burgess' novel I shall use Alex, the main character as my point of focus. Alex, our 'Humble Narrator' is a 14 year old boy. Like most 14 year old boys his actions are influenced by parents, peers and his environment. But Alex does not follow the actions of a 'normal' 14 year old boy (in the...