A Clockwork Orange Free Will

Anthony Burgess’ A Clockwork Orange begs the question of whether or not the free will to choose our fate characterizes us as humans. The way in which violence, sexual aggression, and other evil actions are understood and handled by each character reveals the philosophical and social purpose of the novel. The influence of free will on the prison scientists, F. Alexander, and Alex in A Clockwork Orange serves to enforce the idea that the presence of a moral choice distinguishes humanity from all other species. The behavioral scientists at the prison, including Dr. Brodsky and Dr. Branom, emphasize the significance of free will on humanity in A Clockwork Orange. The protagonist, Alex, is characterized by his violent tendencies. After they subject

Alexander represents another perspective on free will and humanity. F. Alexander is the author of the manuscript entitled “A Clockwork Orange, ” which exists within Burgess’ novel. In it, F. Alexander addresses the government’s attempts “to impose upon man, a creature of growth and capable of sweetness…laws and conditions appropriate to a mechanical creation” (Burgess 25). His sentiment is noble and well-intentioned, effectively introducing the overarching theme of free will as opposed to control mechanics in A Clockwork Orange. Furthermore, F. Alexander comes to represent the idea that although we may make poor choices, our choices make us human. He first champions the liberalist ideal of free moral choice and even supports Alex as an example of the dangers of such “mechanical creation.” Critic Geoffrey Aggeler suggests that, by contrasting F. Alexander’s liberalism with the government’s cynical totalitarian control, Burgess is commenting on a “realistic mixture of the two philosophies” that would ensure “the preservation of…human dignity” (Aggeler). That is to say, the conflict between F. Alexander’s ideals about free will and those of the government can be seen as a reflection of human dignity. Burgess is arguing for a society in which humanity is defined by the capability to mix such ideals, rather than having ideals imposed upon us. F. Alexander, however, struggles to apply this large, overarching philosophy to the betterment individual people. He supports the improvement of mankind at the expense of man himself. In fact, upon learning of Alex’s choice to rape his wife, F. Alexander retracts his support for Alex and his cause and is imprisoned near the end of the story for being “mad with desire to stick a knife in [Alex]” (Burgess 198). F. Alexander had good intentions, but was driven to evil thoughts. This demonstrates that even in the case of a hypocritical politician, there exists a good, an evil, and a conflict between the two. Thus,