So, this article is all about why you (yes, you) and everyone you know (really) should read the novel A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess, or at least watch the movie by the same title from Stanley Kubrick. This is one of the few films based on a book that remains true to the core story. If you happen to be into apocalyptic themes and criminology you’ll love this book/movie. If you love books and movies that mess with your mind and make you think, you’ll immediately love A Clockwork Orange. However, my argument is that everyone should read or watch it, despite what you’re into. Why?
My main argument for why everyone should read or watch A Clockwork Orange is because it makes the audience question their humanity. One of the themes throughout the work is self-identity and the question of what makes us human. Choice is a major part of this. I won’t give away the good parts of this, but it will definitely make you think about your own experiences and how you act under duress. This particular theme will be especially interesting for you to explore if you’re interested in criminology, delinquency, or criminal justice. I myself, have mentioned this particular theme in multiple criminology classes.
A Clockwork Orange is also an amazing tale of a dystopian society. If you like fantasy worlds like that, you’ll be pulled in from the first page or the first scene. Another theme throughout the work is the dismantling of society. The social contract that governs our society can be so easily broken. Within this work, crime, especially violent crime, is somewhat normalized. I would argue that we today have somewhat normalized, or at least become desensitized, to violent crimes. A Clockwork Orange makes everyone in the audience consider the thin, thin line between justice and disorder that we experience every day.
The final theme I’ll discuss about my all-time favorite literary work is the theme of manipulation. **Spoiler Alert** Every. Single. Character. Is. Manipulative. It took a few times of reading and watching A Clockwork Orange to notice this, which just speaks volumes to how well the characters are developed. I would argue that every character within the work could be considered a protagonist and antagonist simply because of this theme of manipulation. By the end of the work you will honestly be thinking, “WTH just happened to my mind?” This is because there is no clear answer about who is the “good guy” and who is the “bad guy.” This, I think, can speak to us all on a very philosophical level.