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.
Violence is sometimes a plot device in novels, a source of conflict or a way to reveal characterization. In other works violence serves to advance the author’s thematic message, A Clock-Work Orange being a prime example. Through use of pervasive violence in his dystopian novel, Burgess advances his statements on brain-washing, societal values, and maturation.
Just as he uses his slang language of Nadsat to give the reader a feeling of Alex’s brainwashing, Burgess desensitizes the reader with his barrage of violence. Working against the revulsion-triggering Luvodico’s Technique Alex undergoes, the reader is no longer repulsed by the brutality of the actions. Further working against the automatic distaste disturbing violence creates, he makes sociopath Alex a compelling narrator. Despite his delight in rape and “ultra violence”, Alex’s wit, distinguished tastes, and alienation make him appealing, mudding the reader’s moral sensibilities. Burgess conditions the reader through the use of violence to add complexity to his defense of free will.
Violence allows Burgess to comment on the society and government he has created. Although the government decides to forcibly reform Alex’s violent behavior, the officials are shown to be just as brutal as he is, notably when the doctors administering the Luvodico Technique enjoy Alex’s anguish. Alex, and the acts of violence he commits, are then seen in a more sympathetic light. He becomes a rebel against their hypocrisy, willing to do what they don’t but would like to. Violence comes to symbolize a government not bent on keeping people safe, but keeping people in control.
At the end of A Clockwork Orange Alex finds that violence is no longer satisfying. Destruction no longer gives him the same enjoyment; he becomes bored in of ultra-violence. Alex matures. Burgess uses violence to make the destructive impulses all humans have into an adolescent phase on the way to mental adulthood. By having Alex grow out of violence Burgess chooses to characterize human nature as not one inherently evil, the developed mind leans towards compassion.
More than a shock-tool, the violence in A Clockwork Orange gives it thematic value. Without this brutal imagery Burgess could not create a revolting and complex idea for the reader to grapple with. Violence becomes more disturbing as one is no longer disgusted.
Your intro works well! I think that's what we were supposed to work on most with the 2nd Open Prompt? So I'll keep comments short and mostly on that. Ehm. I liked the thesis; it did a good job of addressing the meaning and sets you up well for the flow of topic sentences later on. It might be good to add just a bit more of background into your second sentence to help with the transition from the opener to the rest of the paper. And your opener worked well I thought.
ReplyDeleteI don't think we were told to focus on the rest all that much, but one suggestion for you if you ever happen to look back on these would be to work on the topic sentences so they go with your thesis and flow together, especially since your thesis sets them up to do so very well.
You make a very good point with this paper! My only suggestion is to clean it up a little bit. I mean this in the sense that it is a tad confusing at times. However, this could be because my mind is absorbed in the numerous posts I have already read. I think you can fix this problem by making sure your topic sentences flow in the direction of your argument and tie back to your thesis. I think this will help the reader stay more on track. The content itself, however, is very thought out and supports your thesis very well. So from that aspect... bien bien.
ReplyDeleteI think the introduction of the novel's title can be made into a separate sentence, like, "A Clock-Work Orange is a prime example."
ReplyDeleteWhile I can see how you used your last example, it just doesn't seem like it fits the prompt as a scene of violence contributing to the meaning of the work. But since you have scenes of violence beforehand and Alex's growth just ties everything up, I'm sure it's fine.