1982. In great
literature, no scene of violence exists for its own sake. Choose a work of
literary merit that confronts the reader or audience with a scene or scenes of
violence. In a well-organized essay, explain how the scene or scenes contribute
to the meaning of the complete work. Avoid plot summary.
In Anthony Burgess' A Clockwork Orange, violence is a very normal part of the characters' society. The story takes place in a fictionalized future where kids are increasingly more prone to violent acts. Alex, the protagonist, leads a gang in his town that either fights other gangs, beats up the men or rapes the women in his community. To pass the time when they are not committing these crimes, the group hangs out at local bars.
I think Burgess implements the theme of violence in society's youth in this story because it shows the change in how people were bringing up their children. Burgess may have noticed, in his own community, a leniency toward older values and how strictly people tended to be toward their kids. Perhaps Burgess was trying to warn others of this loosening of morals through a satirical way in A Clockwork Orange. By showing a group of 15 years old wreaking havoc throughout town and committing almost unfathomable crimes, I think Burgess' point is more shocking to its readers (also, consider the time period that this book was written in. Society was not as exposed to violence as it is today).
Another use of Burgess' scenes of violence is the idea of a lack of self discipline and empowerment. Perhaps Burgess is trying to suggest that he is noticing that people feel that they are only powerful when putting down others. Alex, in the story, describes a rush he gets when committing these crimes, and how he feels untouchable. By scaring his audience by showing them the lengths that people will go to to feel better about themselves, I think Burgess hopes to show his audience that the greatest satisfaction should only come from believing in yourself, not from the expense of others.
Burgess also is trying to stress how short term satisfaction is no substitute for long term satisfaction. Although Alex may feel a high from these acts of violence, hours later, he is down again, resulting in more crimes. I think Burgess wants people to achieve a long term happiness, and to accomplish something bigger.
Burgess uses scenes of violence as a method of satire to show his society the results of poor discipline in both our youth and ourselves.
Maybe give a little background of the time period that Burgess was living in? Was it especially violent? Was society going through lots of changes? I liked that you gave focused on the psychology behind the violence like how it makes people feel bigger, it shows that self discipline is low,etc. But when you make a point, you should act like it is a fact. I struggle with that too. You have to say " This is what Burgess is saying" rather than " I think this is what Burgess is saying."
ReplyDeleteVivian, I think you did an excellent job capturing the gist of the Clockwork Orange society in your first paragraph, but I think some sort of thesis in the first paragraph would be crucial in driving forward your essay. You have very legitimate claims and thoughts about Burgess' use of violence in A Clockwork Orange, but your reader might be unconvinced because they lack an overarching thesis until your final sentence. Slap something like that at the end of your intro-summary paragraph, and you're golden. (P.S.- I agree with Amaris. You have great claims, but the first person "I think" has no place in an argumentative essay--your reader can assume that these are your thoughts and opinions, because you're the one writing them.)
ReplyDeleteVivian,
ReplyDeleteI have not read this novel, but it seems like you have a very good understanding of it. Like Micaela and Amaris already mentioned I felt the two most glaring things were the lack of a thesis and the use of "I think." I feel like you tied the meaning of the work well to the violence and the part where you described how the violence being more harsh to readers back when this novel was written was great. In the third body paragraph you used "I" again and I felt like you could have elaborated on on your point a little bit more. The essay also seemed to end very abruptly so I would make sure you have a little more a conclusion and make it into its own paragraph. Overall you did a great job!