One of the devices Anthony Burgees uses in a clockwork orange is modification of language, by using English and Russian slang that he calls “Nadsat”. The youth only talk this way but it is not all slang there is a variety of sophisticated language in there like Shakespearean English. However, there are childish words and rhythmic slang an example is “Appy polly loggy” meaning apology. The neologisms “Nadsat” is not understood by adults in the book. This shows the emotional and mental differences between the two generations. The youth who use the language are usually taking part in the “ultra violence” as the protagonist Alex likes to refer to it. “Nadsat” has rebellious connotations, and it presents the youth as very immature. Anthony Burgees also uses language to reflect Alex’s personality. Towards the end of the book Alex discovers that all this hatred he has had and the need for violence was just a part of his life and others. Alex starts talking differently, using the present tense and using less of “Nadsat”. It is a very clever technique as it shows the audience the transformation that is occurring in Alex’s life, and that he is no longer the immature violent teenager he used to be.
One idea which is explored through a clockwork orange is free will. Alex is a teenager that is a nuisance to the government and it would be better if he was turned into good. In the book they do eventually turn Alex into a good character, but by using the Ludovico technique. However, Alex would still prefer to choose the bad option but due to the technique Alex is forced into doing what the government believe is the right thing. The importance of free will is displayed by Alex asking himself “Whats it going to be then, eh?” every time before he is about to do something bad. Alex has the choice to do something good or bad by asking himself this question. Alex chooses the bad option of course. However, when Alex is put under the Ludovico technique he does not ask himself the question. It had took Alex’s free will away from him as he never questions his actions. Furthermore, this connotes that Alex is not really human anymore, as the principal of humanity, free will has been taken away from him. As the name a clockwork orange suggests. A machine capable of goodness but does not have any moral choice. The government took away all of his evil capacity, but it also meant that took away his free will. In the last chapter of the book after Alex is cured, he asks himself “Whats it going to be then, eh” and answers the question. Alex chooses a path of good, and proves that free will is essential, as eventually he does become good. During the time Alex is in prison a man asks him “Does God want good, or the choice of goodness? Is a man who chooses bad somehow better than a man who has good imposed on him?”.
React!