Return to Mind Map Gallery

A Clockwork Orange

A Clockwork Orange
Overview
Main Characters
Numbers
Alex is the delinquent leader of a violent group of friends. Their destructive forays through a futuristic London land him in jail, where the tables turn as the State forces him to undergo behavior modification. In the process, he loses his ability to choose evil or eniov aood—in other words, his humanity.
Music
The story's structure is modeled on classical compositions, and Alex's love of music is linked to violence and freedom.
Darkness
Darkness shelters the antics of Alex and his droogs, in contrast to the daylight of the "starry ones."
Nadsat
The teen slang Alex uses represents free will and makes characters difficult to judge.
Milk
Wayward youth drink milk, symbolizing immaturity; that the milk is drugged means the habit is far from wholesome.
Alex
15-year old narractor commits violent acts.
F.Alexander
Opposed to behavior modification; severely beaten by Alex.
Minister of Interior
Disregards personal liberties; selects Alex for treatment.
2
Years Alex serves in prison
~200
Musical works Burgess composed
1971
Year Stanley Kubrick's film adaptation of A Clockwork Orange was released
4
Beatles band members who petitioned for Mick Jagger to be cast in the film version of A Clockwork Orange
Themes
Free Will
Conformity
Humanity
Alex believes that the freedom to choose is the core tenet of morality.
Falling in line with the masses means relinquishing the freedom to choose.
The "goodness"the state imposes on Alex deprives him of essential elements of his humanity.
Author