Dystopia Essay.docx

Marijana Kolenda Doc. dr. sc. Boris Berić Dystopia 28th May, 2016

Futuristic Clockwork Orange society Futurism is 20th century movement which celebrates technology and modernity. Several features of futurism can be found in Burgess’ sci-fi dystopia A Clockwork Orange, which is one of the most famous dystopian novels. It also belongs to genres of science fiction, satire and black comedy. Published in 1962, it describes a near future society. This novel addresses issues of human nature and morality and negatively portrays the government which seeks to sacrifice individual freedom for a greater goal. Young society of Clockwork Orange embodies characteristics of futurist movement, such as need for danger, speed, violence, new technology and need for change, the setting and language. According to Futuristic Manifesto, danger and revolt are one of the most important elements of futuristic literature. “Love and habit of danger” are especially highlighted. A Clockwork Orange describes the growth of dangerous and violent young culture, represented by a gang of teenagers who rebel against the state. They engage in several illegal acts, which include taking drugs, robbery, fight, rape, theft, etc. They are extremely brutal and enjoy their crimes, which often results in various conflicts. “And Injustice, strong and wholesome, will glitter radiantly in their eyes. For art can be nothing but violence, cruelty and injustice.” (Marinetti, 1909). This part of the Futuristic

Manifesto explains the role of violence in futuristic literature. Burgess portrayed his characters as predestined toward violence, because of the original sin of men. Clockwork Orange’s protagonist Alex confirms the idea of violence and cruelty as art symbols. He is a typical teenager representative, and leader of extremely violent gang. Alex is committed to violence, but finds the pleasure he takes from his crimes more enjoyable. He gives his gang’s criminal acts a certain artistic status. Being an art enthusiast himself, he especially enjoys classical music. Alex gets the same feeling from violence and crimes as from listening to Beethoven or Mozart. He describes his delight related to his most brutal acts using characteristic language, slang called “nadsat”, which mirrors his delight. “Oh, it was gorgeosity and yumyumyum. When it came to the Scherzo I could viddy myself very clear running and running on like the very light and mysterious nogas, carving the whole litso of the creeching world with my cut-throat britva.” (Burgess, 1995) The drunken old man who the gang meets, implies that the government allows and tolerates young violence because it fits well into their social scheme. Other citizens cannot gather and criticise the State if there are no safe places in the town. “It’s a stinking world because it lets the young get on to the old like you done.” (Burgess, 1995) This novel describes the fight between man and the government, which tries to suppress individual in favour of the state. The State is ready to do anything in order to achieve victory. Using new technology and violence, government tries to control its citizens and deprive them from their freedom of choice, which in fact distinguishes them from machines. Alex figures out those intentions and revolts against the hypocrisy of the state government which exploits the power of law for its own needs and pleasure: More, badness is of the self, the one, the you or me on our oddy knockies, and that self is made by old Bog or God and is his great pride and radosty. But the not-self cannot

have the bad, meaning they of the government and the judges and the schools cannot allow the bad because they cannot allow the self. And is not our modern history, my brothers, the story of brave malenky selves fighting these big machines? I am serious with you, brothers, over this. But what I do I do because I like to do. (Burgess, 1995) Another futurist characteristic of A Clockwork Orange is the love for speed. As stated in Futuristic Manifesto: “We declare that the world's wonder has been enriched by a fresh beauty: the beauty of speed.” (Marinetti, 1909) Alex and his “droogs” often run from the police, catching their breath between flatblocks, lit by the moon and television lights from the surrounding apartments. At one occasion, Alex notes that the State is showing a worldcast program. This confirms the government’s attempt of gaining the control over the people. The television, as well as the cinema, is being managed, and in all those apartments, citizens are being numbed and controlled in a way. The gang eventually steals a car and drive carelessly, which also highlights their need for speed and revolt. Development of new technology is another important feature of Futurism that Burgees employs in A Clockwork Orange. Alex is treated with so called “Ludovico’s Technique”, a new technology developed to convert criminals into good citizens through a process of conditioning. This behavioural technique is used to deprive Alex of his free will. Burgess creates this fictional type of treatment in order to question the rise of behaviourism in the developing world. All things considered, it can be concluded that Burgess creates a fictional word in which he confronts individual and the society. Employing several futuristic characteristics, violence, anger, danger, new technology and specific form of language, he questions the development of modern world, and its influence on the society and the individual.

WORKS CITED

1. Burgess, Anthony. A Clockwork Orange. Norton paperback fiction. New York. W. W. Norton & Company. 1995. 2. Marinetti, F. T. The Joy of Mechanical Force. "The Foundation of Futurism" ("Manifesto of Futurism," 1909). Web. 27 May 2016.