A Clockwork Orange

[liveonearth]

I recently checked out a copy of the 1963 novelette by Anthony Burgess from the Flagstaff Public Library. I knew nothing about the story. I had been advised by friends NOT to see the Stanley Kubrick movie because of a disturbing rape scene. I had been advised by one proofreader of my book-in-progress that I should read the book, because it is a study on invented language and my book is about the slang of river runners. So I brought home this short book.

In the intro Burgess informed me that the initial American publisher had amputated the 21st and final chapter finding it to be pointless, whereas British editions of the book include the final chapter. The droog, Alex, reaches the ripe old age of 18 in that final chapter, and finally begins to feel bored with adolescent violence and destruction. Burgess was insulted that his final chapter was chopped. He explains that he considers the transformation of a leading character to be part of the definition of a novel. By removing the 21st chapter's ray of hope that that rascal Alex could be redeemed, the publisher changed it from a story to a portrait of evil. Here I have the complete book.

After reading the first chapter I decided that I do not need to read the entire book. The first chapter is a crash course in the invented language. The language is ingenious and somewhat obscures the random pointless viciousness of the characters' actions. But I did catch on, at least a little. It seems to be the story of a young man who in the company of other similar young men goes around abusing and killing, drinking, raping and robbing for the hell of it. I didn't need to read another 19 chapters of sheer amorality written in code, so I jumped past the middle chapters and finished my read with the 21st chapter.

The 21st chapter starts out exactly the same as the first chapter. Had I read the entire book, I would be completely educated in this code language, and I'm sure it would mean a lot more to me. But I skipped the education, just as I skip many movies that are gratuitous entertainment. I do not need to know--any more than I already do--how awful teenage boys can be when left to run amok, or the specifics of Burgess' invented criminal language.

Suffice it to say that this serves as a good example, if fictitional, of the fact that invented language often occurs in small human groups that have something to hide, criminals being among the foremost. I can now return this book to the library and engage in more uplifting reading.

I'm interested to note that on the back cover, William S. Burroughs comments that "...the fact that this is also a very funny book may pass unnoticed." I imagine it would take a mind such as Burroughs' to find humor in this. I probably wouldn't, even if I did desire to read it in its entirety. Perhaps it would be humorous in the same way as Kill Bill, and for me to find the humor in that was a stretch.

Comments

A Clockwork Orange

[xplorher.livejournal.com]

I suggest watching the film. Fast fwd the rape scene if it evokes too much emotion. It is merely one scene in the film.
The movie was presented to me in freshman english literature class in 1989. The young, hip instructor (doning mismatched socks) decided to capture our attention at the start of the semester with the shocking images displayed in the film media interpretation of the book.
If anything, the oversized concrete dildo is a must see!
Fear not!

OVERSIZED CONCRETE DILDO

[liveonearth.livejournal.com]

Now you have my attention!!!!! =-]

Re: OVERSIZED CONCRETE DILDO

[xplorher.livejournal.com]

As I mentioned, it was back in 1989 when I viewed the film...as a wee bitty 18 yr. old...
I wouldn't mind seeing it again as a wee bitty 35 year old. Let's watch it. My place. Comfy leather furniture. Any ol' night. Oh, and I'd rather not fast fwd the rape scene. It's part of the film. We can hit 'pause' and debrief afterwards, in case either of us needs support. :o)

Re: OVERSIZED CONCRETE DILDO

[quayme.livejournal.com]

I kind of liked the fast forward sex thing in the middle.
Remember only the sick and mentaly ill remane on earth.And those that look after both have there own set of problems. The conformist.

Iba Problem Shepard

[drjuluka.livejournal.com]

...as do we all...conform, that is. If memory serves, I believe the dildo was highly polished silver paper mache and I recall vaguely it was a a prop in the rape scene -- I guess it was paper mache because the lead character, Alex with the great mascara, picks it up and clubs the rape-victim's husband with it. The scene should be fast-fwd for the sensitive eye. The book was actually very good, a standard read in lit 20 years before xplr's interesting take on it -- it was so good, in fact, the black and orange cover of the book and the odd font of the title can still be recalled by some. The movie, by Kubrick (following immediately after 2001) was important in having enhanced both the feminist movement vis a vis the rape scene, but also the gay rights movement vis a vis Walter/Wendy Carlos, the creator of the musical score. It also screwed royaly with the concept of behavior modification techniques. But alas, society never took notice of that more important anti-BM component of the flick. In any case, however, nothing in CWO or KB1or2 compares with:

Ilsa: With the whole world crumbling, we pick this time to fall in love.
Rick: Yeah, it's pretty bad timing. Where were you, say, ten years ago?