Summary Of Nadat 'By Anthony Burgess' A Clockwork Orange

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The riveting tale of A Clockwork Orange revolves around the importance of the freedom to have a choice between and the existence of good and evil, moral choices, and how these elements fundamentally make us human. In terms of diction, the language used within the novel is Nadat, a fictional language Burgess invented for only the youth culture within the novel to primarily use. Through this and the overall syntax of the novel, the reader becomes distracted by what is taking place within the novel thus focuses more on the terminology rather than context. In addition to this, the reader becomes alienated from Alex’s world, yet as the story progresses not only does one begin to become familiar with and understand the language more but the reader …show more content…

Moreover, the novel is structured into three parts. A reoccurring statement that appears at the beginnings of parts 1, 2 and 3 as well as throughout the novel is “[w]hat’s it going to be then, eh?” (Burgess 4). The repetition of this phrase helps reinforce the underlying message of moral choice. Alex first says this to his friends before they go and do treacherous things. The significance of Alex stating this question is to show Alex’s choice between good and evil. This helps lead up to part two when the question is asked again, however, by an authority figure as Alex is convicted of murder. The state asking the question exemplifies Alex’s lack of power and restriction on his options and in determining his own behaviour. Therefore, choosing his path of undergoing conditioning to learn socially acceptable and good behaviours. Then within part three, Alex is essentially left without the power to make meaningful decisions. The three parts demonstrate Alex’s growth and maturing process. In the first part, he not only enjoys but also resorts to violence as following the law takes away from ones