Government Control In A Clockwork Orange

A clockwork orange refers to something that “can appear to be natural, but on the inside it is actually artificial” (Galens 1). Within the English classic novel A Clockwork Orange, a story is told about a young adult who becomes manipulated by the government. From the historical time period of the mid 1900s, Anthony Burgess owes his inspiration to the government control he saw during his life. From viewing history, the meanings behind A Clockwork Orange are enhanced. Fifteen year old Alex is the leader of a violent gang with his “droogs,” or friends, Peter, Georgie, and Dim. The group speaks their own language of slang called Nadsat. From bars to robbery to rape the gang terrorizes the innocent at night. Then Alex and his friends attempt to break into a mansion owned by an old cat lady. There Alex’s friends blindside

When Alex gains a new cellmate, he and several others beat the man to death. After receiving blame for the murder, Alex is chosen by the Minister of Interior for testing with the Ludovico’s Technique. This technique is a behavioral-brainwashing procedure that uses associative learning to reform criminals by making them view violence while they are injected with medication that makes them feel sick. The procedure is a success and Alex is turned into a harmless human being. The prison chaplain is against the technique for taking away the right to choose their actions. Alex is released from jail as a reward for the testing. He returns home to find his room taken by another. After his parents refuse to house him, Alex contemplates suicide, is beaten by his old victims, and is left to die by his past friends. Eventually Alex comes across the liberal F. Alexander, who tends to his needs and gives him a place to stay. But the man turns out to be strongly against the government and the husband of the woman Alex had killed before his arrest. In order to take revenge and reveal the horrible