1979. Choose a complex and important character in a novel or a play of recognized literary merit who might on the basis of the character's actions alone be considered evil or immoral. In a well-organized essay, explain both how and why the full presentation of the character in the work makes us react more sympathetically than we otherwise might. Avoid plot summary.
His favorite hobby being ultra-violence, it is doubtless that Alex of A Clockwork Orange should be considered evil. The delight he experiences in rape and random acts of violence first causes revulsion in the reader, yet gradually a sense of sympathy develops for him. Through alienating Alex to his peers and pitting him against an equally repugnant society, Burgess creates a more sympathetic reaction than Alex’s actions deserve at face value.
Although mindlessly destructive, Alex is isolated from the droogs he commands. His great appreciation of art and beauty gives him a depth his peers will never understand. The reader comes to admire Alex for his taste and wit. Further sympathy is given to Alex as his gang betrays him, although one abhorrers Alex’s actions, pity and outrage is still felt for his misfortunes. One can easily relate to the experience of being stabbed in the back more than empathize with Alex’s victims through the separation caused by Burgess’ Nadsat language.
When compared to a hypocritical and equally violent government, Alex’s actions paint him in a better light. As they torture and experiment on him the reader feels that Alex becomes something of a martyr. Alex comes to symbolize freewill instead of drug-fueled violence. Burgess turns Alex into a passionate opponent of hypocrisy. The government that punishes him for his violent acts receives the same joy he does in violence.
Although we should condemn Alex for his violence, we find ourselves drawn to his magnetic personality and suffering. Burgess creates a moral dilemma, we gradually come to respect him as a protagonist, yet are repulsed by his actions.
I really liked your intro, but I think you missed the meaning aspect of the question. Your thesis is worded nicely, and does a great job in answering the effect portion of the prompt, but you seem to forget about the underlying meaning. You do a pretty good job explaining your evidence for your thesis here, but I would push you to bring in more of the author's specific techniques to add even more depth to your argument.
ReplyDeleteYou do a great job in your essay of tying every point you make and example you give back to your thesis. Your examples are easy to follow and make a strong case for the prompt that was asked. I just have a couple of suggestions. First, and I am not sure I am correct in saying this, but I think it may be helpful if you add a little information as to how Alex is evil. While this doesn't answer the prompt, I think it may give your reader a basic understanding and help to see how the author ultimately makes the audience sympathetic to this immoral character. More importantly, however, make sure you emphasize the use of techniques, effects and meaning. Your thesis and examples are well done, but what techniques are used? What effect does this create and what is the author's hidden meaning? Since I have taken our class, I can somewhat find techniques and effects, but make sure everything is very clear in your future essays.
ReplyDeleteYour into is missing that meaning, that darn meaning.
ReplyDeleteThere are also a few run on sentences where periods would work better in place of commas.
I don't think it'd be his actions that paint him in a better light. It's be more like his actions are painted in a less hurtful light. Also, the use of "they" is very vague.
Other than that, your open prompts have all definitely been better than mine and are very readable. Just remember that meaning.