"A clockwork Orange"
The theme of moral dilemma has been addressed effectively in the book “A clockwork Orange". The novel also tries and explains the process in which an individual changes to a responsible member of the society. The book is a feature of the main character Alex who is used as an agent of change. From is life as a gang member, to his prison life then to a mature life where he raises a family of his own. Before his transformation, the author of the book used Alex’s character to highlight the moral dilemmas affecting this particular society. Some elements of moral l dilemma analyzed in the novel include;
Gang violence is used as the main moral decay in this society. Gang violence is responsible for most of the crimes committed in the novel. In one instance, a gang robbed a store and assaulted the owner of the store (Burgees, 108). This particular case is one amongst many witnessed in the book. This has been the most disturbing moral decay of this society. The government has put all its efforts in taming the gangs with no success. The setting of the novel is at a society with a higher population of the youth; a young population with no jobs and responsibilities. This social status makes it easier for them to join gangs. For instance, Alex has no responsibility of any kind. Most of mornings are spent with member of his gangs planning attacks. Apart from Alex’s gang, there are other gangs in the region. This is an indication that the youths in this region are easy targets of violent gangs and it creates a very significant moral dilemma. The moral dilemma can be further explained by arguing that the future of this society will be infested by a generation of hooligans if they do not change.
Drug abuse
The issue of drug abuse has also great significance in this novel. The gangs in this novel use drugs in order to prepare themselves for violence attacks. According to Humphreys the violence being carried out by the gangs is greatly influenced of the drugs they take before carrying out a crime (par 6). At one instance, Alex is taking drugs on one particular morning after a night out carrying out robbery and assaulting civilians (Burgees, 111). The author terms the scene as a preparation for the violence the gang is supposed to carry out for the day (Burgees, 67). If the issue on drug abuse can be dealt with, it is an obvious assumption that the rate of gang violence will decrease. This particular moral dilemma could be easily if the government comes up with effective policies.
Poor administration
Poor administration can be explained by the lack of the government to provide the community with proper security. This moral dilemma also describes the decay in governments departments like the police. In the novel the rule of law has no impact to the society. The incidences of violence witnessed in the novel were being carried out during the day and night without similar reaction from the authorities. In one daring case, a school girl was assaulted in broad daylight and the perpetrators were not brought to book. After Alex served his term in prison, he was released to a brutal welcome by both the authorities’ gang members. The police found Alex in a bad condition, instead of taking care of him, the officers further assaulted him (Dexter, 97). This is evidence that the moral decay in this society has affected even the authorities.
Works cited
Burgess, Anthony. A Clockwork Orange. London: William Heinemann .1962. Print
Dexter, Gary. Why Not Catch-21? : The Stories Behind the Titles. London: Frances Lincoln Ltd. 2008. Print
Humphreys, Adrian. A clockwork original. National Post. Web. Nov 11th, 2012. Web
