Thursday, 28 January 2016

Explanation of the ending of A Clockwork Orange

I believe in a sort of compromise between the previous responses. In the last couple scenes Alex appears with a seemingly well respected, or at least important, member of society. He makes a deal with this man (Fred) which symbolizes his deal with the government and therefore society. Fred arranges for Beethoven's Ninth Symphony to be played, as a treat for Alex because he thinks he will enjoy this song. Previously in the movie, this song made Alex want to kill himself. It made him go crazy (due to the conditioning). Just as Beethoven meant for the song to symbolize when he wrote it, it symbolizes in Alex the ups and downs of his life. This parallels the ups and downs of society, as Beethoven had hoped. While this song is playing Alex is being photographed by paparazzi and is conforming to proper societal norms in these photographs. He is seen hugging Fred; symbolically approving of the government. However, the very last scene of the movie is an orgy with Alex and a women, along with a group of proper, elderly women who are applauding him. The last words of the movie were "I was cured alright." This can be interpreted as sarcastic or sincere, yet I believe it is a slight mixture. The orgy appears to be consensual and non violent, as well as monogamous (as opposed to his previous sexual acts). The fact that the orgy is in combination with approving, conservative women, and the fact that he is looking good in societies eyes (the paparazzi), seems to hint that he is accepted in society. The last line purposefully sounds satyrical because it shows the real Alex that we knew in the beginning, yet a nonviolent version; a changed version. It shows that now he is conscious and able to make decisions and think for himself, as if the treatment no longer effects him in such harmful ways, but the fact that the orgy is consensual, monogamous, and approved by society shows that he is now a "good person."

No comments:

Post a Comment