Few films have ever replicated the controversy of Stanley Kubrick’s A Clockwork Orange (1971). Based on the novella of the same name by Anthony Burgess, which explores the realms of dystopian society, the Orwellian, science-fiction film catalogues the life and crimes of antagonist, Alex Delarge. A young, violent, hedonistic, delinquent with an enthusiastic appreciation for music, specifically German composer, Ludwig van Beethoven. Alex’s ‘droogs’, Dim, Georgie and Pete often accompany him on his escapades, delving into what Alex refers to ‘lashings of ultra violence’. The term, refers to exceptionally violent acts such as, assault, rape and murder; all of which transpire within the film. In the film’s most infamous scene, Alex and his droogs
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In one instance in Burgees novella, Alex is sitting in the milk bar alongside his droogs and states “One of those devotcha’s… Suddenly came with a burst of singing… O my brothers some great bird had flown into the milkbar.”. The theme of sound being a recurrent mention within the novel is greatly significant when measuring the extent to which sound depicts narrative and constructs meaning. Within the medium of literature, sound is often redundant; likely due to the textual nature and the inability to add audible accompaniment to the text. Therefore, from this it is evident that Burgees originally intended for Alex’s character to have an admiration for opera and music, something which considerably constructs the character of Alex.
The clearest example of effective use of sound in A Clockwork Orange is in the infamous Singing in the Rain sequence whereby Alex rapes a writer’s wife. Alex sings this whilst undressing the women before raping her, by doing this Kubrick further illustrates the extent to which Alex is desensitised from violence, which is a recurring theme throughout both the novel and the film adaption. This aspect is significant with the entire context of the film as the therapy Alex undergoes is through the power of music; and the power that Beethoven has over Alex’s actions.
The power of sound is enhanced by the fact that it is multifaceted and has many different reasons for being in the
In one instance in Burgees novella, Alex is sitting in the milk bar alongside his droogs and states “One of those devotcha’s… Suddenly came with a burst of singing… O my brothers some great bird had flown into the milkbar.”. The theme of sound being a recurrent mention within the novel is greatly significant when measuring the extent to which sound depicts narrative and constructs meaning. Within the medium of literature, sound is often redundant; likely due to the textual nature and the inability to add audible accompaniment to the text. Therefore, from this it is evident that Burgees originally intended for Alex’s character to have an admiration for opera and music, something which considerably constructs the character of Alex.
The clearest example of effective use of sound in A Clockwork Orange is in the infamous Singing in the Rain sequence whereby Alex rapes a writer’s wife. Alex sings this whilst undressing the women before raping her, by doing this Kubrick further illustrates the extent to which Alex is desensitised from violence, which is a recurring theme throughout both the novel and the film adaption. This aspect is significant with the entire context of the film as the therapy Alex undergoes is through the power of music; and the power that Beethoven has over Alex’s actions.
The power of sound is enhanced by the fact that it is multifaceted and has many different reasons for being in the