Research Proposal on "Clockwork Orange"

Research Proposal 5 pages (1412 words) Sources: 1 Style: APA

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Clockwork Orange is one of the cult movies of the 1970s, but also one where satire mixes with philosophy and where the director often appeals to psychological theories to support the action of the movie. The plot is relatively complex, especially in how the personality of the main character is developed throughout the movie, as well as how the behavioral theories add to the action.

Alex DaLarge leads a group of "droogs" to a life of violence and crime that includes the rape of Mr. Alexander's wife, stealing a car and the battering of another woman in the house of whom they break. Alex is caught by the police at the scene of the crime and is charged with murder, since the woman has by now died in the hospital because of her injuries. As a result and following the trial, he is convicted to 14 years in prison.

In prison, Alex volunteers for the Lodovico technique, something which he identifies as a potential way of leaving prison. The Lodovico technique is, however, an invasive psychological technique which involves Alex being restrained in a straitjacket and forced to watch violent scenes on a screen, while at the same time receiving drugs that cause an increased aversion to the scenes being presented. Complementary to this, Beethoven is also being played in the background, which causes Alex's aversion for this as well, despite the fact that it used to be his favorite music. As the treatment is completed, he is no longer able to fight or manifest violence, including in defending himself.

As he leaves prison, he is severely beaten several times, because of his incapacity to react to such violent acts, including by some of his former droogs turned policemen. As he wanders aimlessly, he arrives at Mr. Alexander's house, who does not recognize him, but who offers him a home, understanding that he had been subjected to the Lodovico treatment. He eventually understands who Alex is, so he forcefully plays Beethoven's Ninth Symphony to him. Alex tries to commit suicide by throwing himself out of the window. As a result, Alex realizes he no longer has an adverse reaction to music or violence and believes himself to be cured, meaning that he will resume his former existence.

In order to analyze the movie from the perspective of juvenile behavior theories and of delinquency theories, one can use the generally acknowledged classification for such theories. According to Champion

, these can be divided into three categories: biological, psychological and sociological theories.

According to the biological theories, juvenile delinquency is related to the genealogical ascendancy and to the fact that juvenile delinquency is associated with certain factors (notably biological factors) that were inherited from parents or close relatives.

Building on Lombroso and his theories, because of these biologically inherited traits, the juvenile delinquent also has certain physical features that distinguish them from other individuals.

This category of theories does not seem to be reflected in "A Clockwork Orange." In the movie, Alex's parents, the only relatives present throughout, are only shown at one point and there is nothing to indicate that they are violent or inclined to commit criminal acts. In fact, they are shown as normal individuals, leading a normal family life. Other potential biological theories of juvenile delinquency, such as the fact that the characteristics might be induced by a chromosome abnormality, cannot be sufficiently tested in the movie.

The category of psychological theories does seem to contain juvenile delinquency theories more appropriate for the actions in the movie. Among these, the most important would be the psychoanalytic theory that relies on Freud's theory to explain crime following a hierarchical sum of components (id, ego, superego). According to this, the explanation of crime is that of instant gratification of the individual's ego.

Following the succession of violent acts in the beginning of the movie, this does indeed seem the best theory to explain the juvenile delinquency that Alex is a part and victim of. The gang and Alex seem to be led by nothing else except the instant gratification of feeling powerful in relation to their victims. This is clearest in their rape of Mr. Alexander's wife and also in some of the beatings… READ MORE

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