III. A Clockwork Orange
A. A CLOCKWORK ORANGE, by Anthony Burgess
PART I Reading Check Quiz
1. What does Alex call his three friends (his gang)?
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2. Identify the character being described in the following quote by placing his/her name
in the blank space:
“I didn’t like the look of him; he looked dirty and untidy, like a veck who’d been in a
fight,
which he had been , but you should never look as though you have been. His cravat was
like someone had trampled on it, his maskie had been pulled off and he had floor-dirt on
his litso, so we got him in an alleyway and tidied him up a malenky bit, soaking our
tashooks in spit to cheest the dirt off. The things we did for old __________________.”
(p.11)
3.
“Billyboy was something that made me want to sick just to viddy his fat grinning
litso, and he always had this von of very stale oil that’s been frying over and over , even
when he was dressed in his best platties like now. They viddied us just as we viddied
them, and there was like a very quiet kind of watching each other now.” (p. 15) Who is
the Billy that is being described in this quote? In other words, what is his relationship to
Alex? _____________________________________________________
4.
What does Alex call cigarettes?
______________________________________________________
5.
In the Korova Milkbar, after a night of violence, Alex and his friends relax. Alex
then turns around and punches Dim in the face. Why does Alex turn on his own friend?
________________________________________________________________
6.
Alex and his father have the same dream while they are asleep. What is it about?
________________________________________________________________
7.
When his friends question Alex’s leadership, how does he win back his authority?
________________________________________________________________
8.
After Alex knocks out the “cat-lady” and the police arrive, why is he unable to
escape? ________________________________________________________________
9.
When Alex is taken to jail, his probation officer does something that really shocks
Alex. What is it?
_______________________________________________________________
10.
What important news does Alex receive at the end of Chapter 7 that will affect
him for the rest of his life?
________________________________________________________________
BONUS: (5 points)
How old is Alex? ____________________________________
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NAME______________________________________________________
A CLOCKWORK ORANGE, by Anthony Burgess
PART III Reading Check Quiz
1. How do Alex’s parents react to seeing him when he returns home from prison?
___________________________________________________________
2. What have Alex’s parents done with his room in his absence?
_____________________________________________________________
3.
This first visit to his parents’ flat upon his release from prison affords Alex the
opportunity to make use of his conditioning. Against whom does he use it? Please give a
specific name. _______________________
4.
What has happened to Alex’s stereo and disks while he was in prison?
_________________________________________________________
5.
Who is Joe?
_________________________________________________________
6.
Upon his release and subsequent visit to his parents’ flat, Alex goes to the Korova
Milkbar where he makes a decision that will greatly affect his life. What is this decision?
_________________________________________________________
7.
What has happened to Billy Boy and Dim during Alex’s incarceration?
_________________________________________________________
8.
While Alex is staying with F. Alexander, there are two occasions where he almost
gives himself away. What are these two occasions?
_________________________________________________________
9.
How does F. Alexander finally find out who Alex really is?
_________________________________________________________
10.
What has happened to Alex’s Droog Pete by the end of the novel?
_________________________________________________________
BONUS: (5 points)
By the end of the novel, we find that Alex is changing. As a symbol of this, what does he
carry around in his pocket?
____________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
A Clockwork Orange, by Anthony Burgess
STUDY GUIDE
All of the following information can either be found in your notes or from reading the
book itself. Some of the questions on the test will ask you to synthesize the two in order
to come up with an intelligent and relevant answer to specific questions.
THE AUTHOR—ANTHONY BURGESS
•
the dates that he lived (not necessarily to regurgitate them, but rather to relate any
biographical influences to the novel)
•
other things that Burgess has been known to write and possible influences that
these other talents may have had on the novel
•
any significant biographically related portions of the text
•
Burgess’s feelings on A Clockwork Orange
GENERAL INFORMATION
•
The history of the public reception of the novel (scathing reviews, acceptance into
the classroom, then book bannings)
•
The film (director, differences from the book, reviews, banning, Kubrick’s death)
•
Teddy Boys and their influence on Alex’s character and the book as a whole
BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION
•
Skinner vs. Pavlov
•
Operant conditioning vs. classical conditioning
•
Examples of each from real life
•
Examples of each from the novel
•
Possible dangers when a government starts to use these techniques against their
own people
•
Controversial uses---desensitization to violence (in military efforts as well as with
children currently) homosexuality, weight-loss, etc
LITERARY SIGNIFICANCE
•
Dystopian Literature
•
Definition
•
Purpose of it/significance of it
•
Various reasons as to why the novel is considered a piece of dystopian literature
(be ready to investigate specific examples)
•
•
•
•
Definition of “clockwork orange”
Slang origin from Britain
Applications to book
Specific examples from the book
•
Uses of argot
•
Definition of the term
•
Nadsat—who uses it, what is it based on
•
The four big linguistic reasons as to why it was used
•
Uses of propaganda
•
Sympathy for an unlikable narrator
•
Various character traits of Alex that do not match his outward personality and
purposes for these traits
•
To give a “Big Brother” feel to the novel
•
•
•
•
•
Relationship between Alex and F. Alexander
Names and meanings behind those names
Both are authors of a book with the same title
Hypocrisy of both
Oedipus Complex
•
•
•
•
Relationship to music
Symbolism of its use in the novel
Structural relationship to the symphony
Biography of author
INTRODUCTION
•
The tragedy of being an artist( favorite piece is not well received/ least favorite is)
•
Significance of the number of chapters
•
Significance of the content of Ch. 21 in relation to the rest of the book (its
purpose, its meaning)
•
Why did American audiences supposedly need a different ending than the rest of
the world, and what kind of effect did this have on Burgess?
FORMAT: various (matching, fill-in-the-blank, short answer, and essays)
______________________________________________________________________
Name__________________________________________Date_____________________
Pd._______________
A Clockwork Orange, by Anthony Burgess
TEST
Directions: DO NOT IGNORE!!
Choose (1) of the following prompts and write a 2-page, typed, double-spaced essay in
response. Please indicate which prompt you chose, and attach this to your essay when
you turn it in. This test is open book and open notes, which means that you should use
specific examples from the text and from class discussions and lectures in order to prove
your point. Do not feel the need to insert parenthetical citations. THIS TEST MUST BE
TURNED IN AT THE BEGINNING OF THE NEXT DAY’S CLASS.
1.
In 1962, Anthony Burgess intended A Clockwork Orange to be a vehement
opposition to the use of behavior modification by the government in order to control
England’s problem with juvenile delinquency. Explain the types and uses of behavior
modification in the novel. Give examples and analysis of each. What danger of using
these techniques is Burgess trying to expose. Be sure to use specific details from the
novel, and do not forget to discuss the effects of behavior modification on Alex, both
positive and negative, and how its use affects the concept of free will.
2.
What is dystopian literature? What is the purpose behind writing this type of
literature? Examine A Clockwork Orange as an example of dystopian literature.
Consider the details of the novel that support this and discuss Burgess’ commentary on
society and mankind through its use.
3.
What is the history and the significance of the phrase “a clockwork orange”?
Examine Alex and other characters as clockwork oranges throughout the novel. Use
specific details from the text.
4.
Since its first publication in 1962, A Clockwork Orange has been considered quite
a linguistics phenomenon. The use of Nadsat by Burgess caused shock waves throughout
academia. Examine the possible reasons for the use of Nadsat in the novel and the effects
of its use on characters and the overall piece. Use specific details from the text.
5.
Now that you have experienced A Clockwork Orange for yourself, was the
censorship behind the 21st chapter a viable decision? Can anything valuable be learned
from reading it? Be sure to evaluate its value to the overall work and pick a side. Should
it or should it not have been included in the original American publication?
6.
A Clockwork Orange is probably one of the most controversial books ever to be
taught in a classroom setting, whether or not you agree with the censorship of the novel
in general, you may not think that this is a piece that should be taught in schools,
particularly high schools. Is ACO a valuable teaching tool? Why or why not? What can
be learned from the text. If you were a parent, would you want your children exposed to
this piece in school? If you were a teacher, would you feel comfortable teaching it?
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A Clockwork Orange (1971) – Alternate Film Activity
This assignment is to be turned in to me by the end of the period.
Because you will be missing the actually viewing of the film ,you will instead be required
to do a little bit of research about it instead. You will need to go to either the media
center or the computer lab and look up websites about the film that could help you
answer the following questions:
1.
Exactly how controversial was the film when it was released?
2.
Why were certain things added or left out in the film version of the story?
3.
Why were certain costuming decisions made?
4.
Why was Malcolm McDowell chosen to play Alex? How did Kubrick feel about
him? Were there any other famous actors in the film?
5.
Extra credit: Try and find an original film review from 1971 of ACO.
These are very general questions. They are designed to see if you made an attempt to
answer them. Your effort will be judged on the amount of information and the number of
websites that you compile. Along with your answers to the above questions, please
attach a list of websites that you used, each with a one sentence description of how
helpful that website was.
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Clockwork Orange, Stanley Kubrick (1971)
English IV Honors
Movie Module
Things to consider while watching:
•
What has been changed or left out completely?
•
Take note of the futuristic design and costuming. What effect do they have on the
audience?
•
Look for the humor in the piece (Alex’s reaction to authority figures, his parents,
PR Deltoid, the prison warden, etc.). Is it appropriate considering the over levity of the
piece?
•
Consider whether or not Malcolm McDowell does Alex justice.
•
Is the film dated at all? Is it as shocking as you imagined?
The following are the journal topics, which you are to complete for homework. They
should be typed and be about 1-page in length.
Journal #1:
What are your first reactions to what you have seen of the film so far? Was there
anything that you were shocked by? Would it have received as hostile a reception if it
were released today?
Journal #2:
What are your feelings on the casting of Malcolm McDowell? This was the breakout role
of his career. Does he bring Alex to life? Is there anything that you feel he does
particularly well? Is there anything that you feel he doesn’t do well?
________________________________________________________________________
A Clockwork Orange, by Anthony Burgess
Paper Topics
1.
In 1962, Anthony Burgess intended A Clockwork Orange to be a vehement
opposition to the use of behavior modification by the government in order to control
England’s problem with juvenile delinquency. Explain the types and uses of behavior
modification in the novel. Give examples and analysis of each. What danger of using
these techniques is Burgess trying to expose. Be sure to use specific details from the
novel, and do not forget to discuss the effects of behavior modification on Alex, both
positive and negative, and how its use affects the concept of free will.
2.
What is dystopian literature? What is the purpose behind writing this type of
literature? Examine A Clockwork Orange as an example of dystopian literature.
Consider the details of the novel that support this and discuss Burgess’ commentary on
society and mankind through its use.
3.
What is the history and the significance of the phrase “a clockwork orange”?
Examine Alex and other characters as clockwork oranges throughout the novel. Use
specific details from the text.
4.
Since its first publication in 1962, A Clockwork Orange has been considered quite
a linguistics phenomenon. The use of Nadsat by Burgess caused shock waves throughout
academia. Examine the possible reasons for the use of Nadsat in the novel and the effects
of its use on characters and the overall piece. Use specific details from the text.
5.
Now that you have experienced A Clockwork Orange for yourself, was the
censorship behind the 21st chapter a viable decision? Can anything valuable be learned
from reading it? Be sure to evaluate its value to the overall work and pick a side. Should
it or should it not have been included in the original American publication?
_____________________________________________________________________
SEMINAR PLAN FORM: A Clockwork Orange, Anthony Burgess
Ideas/ Values to Be Discussed:
justice, dystopia, maturation, prisoner’s rights
I.
PRE-SEMINAR
a.
Content
i.
A Clockwork Orange, by Anthony Burgess
ii.
excerpt from Portrait of a Killer, Patricia Cornwell
iii.
Lessons on: British subculture since 1950, behavior modification, pyschopathy,
and the Stanford Prison Experiment
b.
Process
i.
Introduce students to grading rubric
ii.
Outline seminar objectives, guidelines, and responsibilities
iii.
Set group and individual goals
II.
SEMINAR
a.
Opening question
i.
Based on what we see in the novel and what we know of people like Alex, what is
to be done about the issue of juvenile delinquency, especially as we experience a rise in
teenage violence in this country?
b.
Core questions
i.
On p. 41 Alex says, “This learned veck said the usual vesches, about no parental
discipline; as he called it, and the shoratge of real horrorshow teachers who would
lambast bloody beggary out of their innocent poops and make them go boohoohoo for
mercy.” What is the cause of juvenile delinquency?
ii.
On p. 40 Alex states, “ …meaning they of the government cannot allow the bad
because they cannot allow the self.” Do you agree or disagree with Alex’s impressive of
the government. Along those same lines, how much control should the government be
allowed to exert over the people?
iii.
On p. 40, Alex defines himself as the anti-hero so typical in modern literature,
“And is not our modern history, my brothers, the story of brave malenky selves fighting
these big machines?” Does Alex deserves any of the sympathy that Burgess attempts to
orchestrate for him?
c.
Closing questions
i.
Can you think of an example from history or the news when you feel that our
government transgressed its boundaries and defied the beliefs that our country was
designed to uphold? What should be done about this?
III.
POST-SEMINAR
a.
Process
i.
Assess group and individual goals
ii.
Students fill out the self-evaluation form
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A Clockwork Orange, by Stanley Kubrick
Seminar Topic Questions:
•
Is this novel an example of “great” literature?
•
Should this novel be banned?
•
Does the history of censorship having to do with the novel have some validity?