Violence in Anthony Burgess' Clockwork Orange

by Dedria Bryfonski (Editor)

Overview

Anthony Burgess' A Clockwork Orange has become a cult classic among fans of dystopian fiction. The 1962 novel, which utilizes extreme violence as a method of questioning free will, received mixed reviews upon publication, with some critics praising the book and others condemning it. This informative volume explores the life and work of Anthony Burgess, focusing on themes of human nature, violence, and freedom of choice through the lens of A Clockwork Orange. Contemporary issues including gang violence and violence against women are also discussed.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780737769883
Publisher:	Greenhaven Publishing LLC
Publication date:	09/09/2014
Series:	Social Issues in Literature Series
Pages:	200
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.60(d)
Age Range:	15 - 17 Years

Table of Contents

Introduction 11

Chronology 15

Chapter 1 Background on Anthony Burgess

1 The Life of Anthony Burgess Geoffrey Aggeler 22

2 Obituary: Anthony Burgess Roger Lewis 34

Chapter 2 Violence in a Clockwork Orange

1 The Violence in A Clockwork Orange Is Not Gratuitous Anthony Burgess 43

2 The Theme of A Clockwork Orange Is the Importance of Freedom of Choice Richard Mathews 50

3 Burgess Believes It Is Better to Choose Evil than to Have No Choice A.A. DeVitis 61

4 The Bitter Fruits of Freedom Robert K. Morris 69

5 Anthony Burgess's Clockwork Oranges Stanley Edgar Hyman 78

6 An Inhumane Society Both Causes and Fails to Cure Violent Behavior Thomas Reed Whissen 85

7 A Clockwork Orange Depicts a Society Beyond Redemption Robert O. Evans 93

8 Burgess Has a Pessimistic View of Human Nature Bernard Bergonzi 96

9 Burgess Has a Hopeful View of Human Nature Geoffrey Aggeler 101

10 Alex Displays Hostility Toward Women in A Clockwork Orange Deanna Madden 111

11 Burgess Uses Violence to Underscore the Irrationality of Existence John J. Stinson 120

12 Burgess Explores the Relationship Between Language and Violence in A Clockwork Orange M. Keith Booker 130

Chapter 3 Contemporary Perspectives on Violence

1 Gangs Are Responsible for a Large Share of Violent Urban Crime Melissa Klein 138

2 Positive Alternatives Must Be Offered to Get Teens to Reject Gangs and Violence William R. Brownfield 143

3 London Aflame: What Happens When You Let Teenagers Run Your Country Jonathan Foreman 152

4 A Toronto Program Tackles the Roots of Gang Violence Maribel Gonzales 158

5 Parks and Recreation Centers Are Offering a Positive Alternative to Gang Violence Boris Weintraub 164

6 Violence Against Women Is a Human Rights Issue Latin American and Caribbean Women's Health Network 172

For Further Discussion 177

For Further Reading 179

Bibliography 180

Index 184