free will

Question 1

the title

Answer 1

of the novel is an allusion to its central ethical dilemma.

Question 2

“A Clockwork Orange”

Answer 2

appears within the book as the name of F. Alexander’s polemic against Reclamation Treatment, the state-sponsored aversion therapy that Alex undergoes.

Question 3

the treatment

Answer 3

turns individuals into “clockwork oranges”—nadsat speak for “clockwork men.”

Question 4

character’s views

Answer 4

Alex believes that humans are born evil and need cultivation to avoid evil. F. Alexander believes that humans are born good, but are corrupted by society and culture.

Question 5

When Alex

Answer 5

is rendered unable to choose violence, thanks to Ludovico’s Technique, Burgess sends the message that he no longer is human, but a mere clockwork orange.

Question 6

The prison chaplain

Answer 6

suggests to Alex that he might not enjoy losing his free will and being forced to be “good.”

“It may be horrible to be good”

Question 7

choice of goodness

Answer 7

“Goodness is something chosen. When a man cannot choose he ceases to be a man.”

Question 8

moral choice

Answer 8

“He ceases to be a wrongdoer. He ceases also to be a creature capable of moral choice”