Inviolability of free will

• Engels
• Further Education (Key Stage 5)

Goals for today 

Exploration of the concept of the inviolability of free will 

in the novel 

Consider an extract closely 

Consider free will in the novel as a whole

Nadsat language construction. Find examples 

	Examples	Effect
Child-like lexi s (words)
Religious vocabulary
Shakespearian/archaic language
Cacophonic language (harsh or discordant sounds) Onomatopoeia
Poetic language
Modern slang/colloquialism
Emotive language
Russian/slavic roots

Make this table in your exercise book and collect examples.

What is the effect of these choices? 

Upward and downward convergence 

Upward convergence:  a person trying to match their interlocutor by making their speech sound more upper-class. 

Downward convergence: a person adjusts their communication to downplay their social status.

"It would interest me greatly, brother, if you would kindly allow me to see what books those are that you have under your arm."p. 6 

"'A rather intolerable pain in the head brother, sir,' I said in my gentleman's goloss." p. 29

Make a note if you notice the protagonist changing his speech depending on his interlocutor 

Who said this, do you think? 

“Children; they have bad manners, contempt for authority; they show disrespect for elders and love chatter in place of exercise. They no longer rise when elders enter the room, they contradict their parents and tyrannize their teachers. Children are now tyrants.”

Socrates, circa 470BC

Free will 

The power of acting without the constraint of necessity or fate; the ability to act at one's own discretion.

The Inviolability of Free Will

A Clockwork Orange highlights the question of whether people are destined to their fate, or whether free will and external circumstances can influence people's life outcomes. Alex believes that humans are born evil and need cultivation to avoid evil. F. Alexander believes that humans are born good, but are corrupted by society and culture. The Government believes that the stability of the State trumps the happiness of its citizens, and readily abolishes moral choice (a fundamental human trait) in the name of stability. In contrast to this, Alex fights vehemently against the notion that his freedom to choose should be compromised at all, as free will is what makes him human to begin with.

The Inviolability of Free Will

Part 1 chapter 4 

Read and listen to this extract (pg 31) again

"But when he'd ookadeeted and I was making this very strong pot of chai, ...But what I do I do because I like to do." 

The Inviolability of Free Will

1. Alex says, "if I get loveted and it's three months in this mesto and another six in that ...well, I say "'Fair, but a pity my lords". How does he feel about punishment for crimes? 

2. What does Alex mean by "badness is of the self, the one, the you or me on our oddy knockies and that self is made by old Bog or God"? 

3. Does Alex hate or object to those who choose to be good? Explain and give an example. 

4. According to Alex, why do judges, schools and the government try to go after the bad? 

Write your answers during the music 

1. Knowing what we do about Alex’s violent nature, do you believe that he should have his free will taken from him? Explain. 

2. What’s the difference between taking someone’s free will and simply applying the law to someone’s bad behaviour? Give examples. 

Goals for today 

Exploration of the concept of the inviolability of free will 

in the novel 

Consider isolation as a concept in the novella

Consider free will in the novel as a whole

Who said this, do you think? 

“Children; they have bad manners, contempt for authority; they show disrespect for elders and love chatter in place of exercise. They no longer rise when elders enter the room, they contradict their parents and tyrannize their teachers. Children are now tyrants.”

Socrates, circa 470BC

Free will 

The power of acting without the constraint of necessity or fate; the ability to act at one's own discretion.

The Inviolability of Free Will

A Clockwork Orange highlights the question of whether people are destined to their fate, or whether free will and external circumstances can influence people's life outcomes. Alex believes that humans are born evil and need cultivation to avoid evil. F. Alexander believes that humans are born good, but are corrupted by society and culture. The Government believes that the stability of the State trumps the happiness of its citizens, and readily abolishes moral choice (a fundamental human trait) in the name of stability. In contrast to this, Alex fights vehemently against the notion that his freedom to choose should be compromised at all, as free will is what makes him human to begin with.

Homework for Monday 3rd March 

Read the article in MB files:

"A Prophetic and Violent Masterpiece" 

In your own words, explain what this author thinks about the violence in the novel, using short quotations to back up your ideas.

Then explain whether you agree with his view or not and explain why.

Discuss and then write down your ideas 

1. Do you believe that humans are born and destined to be evil, needing cultivation and societal pressures to become good? Or do you believe that we are basically born good, but are corrupted by our social environment? Justify your position with examples from the book.

2. What are some fundamental characteristics of human beings? That is, what makes us different from machines, robots, or other animals? Do the characters in this novel possess some of these traits?

3. In what sense is evil part of Alex's nature and fate? Is the ability to perform evil deeds, freely and openly, an important part of being human?