Scribd
Upload
58 views1 page

SEO Title: "A Clockwork Orange Essay Guide"

The document provides three essay prompts for analyzing Anthony Burgess's novel A Clockwork Orange. The prompts ask the reader to choose a profession - the linguist, the historian, or the critic - and analyze aspects of the novel through that lens. For the linguist prompt, questions are posed about how the fictional Nadsat language conveys meaning and character. The historian prompt suggests exploring the cultural context when the novel was written and Burgess's own life. The critic prompt discusses critical reception of the novel over time and its place within the dystopian genre. All prompts require citing an outside source and following MLA format for 3 pages.

Uploaded by

tordet13
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
58 views1 page

SEO Title: "A Clockwork Orange Essay Guide"

The document provides three essay prompts for analyzing Anthony Burgess's novel A Clockwork Orange. The prompts ask the reader to choose a profession - the linguist, the historian, or the critic - and analyze aspects of the novel through that lens. For the linguist prompt, questions are posed about how the fictional Nadsat language conveys meaning and character. The historian prompt suggests exploring the cultural context when the novel was written and Burgess's own life. The critic prompt discusses critical reception of the novel over time and its place within the dystopian genre. All prompts require citing an outside source and following MLA format for 3 pages.

Uploaded by

tordet13
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 1

What Will You Be?

: Essay on ​A Clockwork Orange

The three prompts below are just starting points. Do not feel constrained by my list of questions. They are
simply some questions that you can use to start brainstorming. I expect you to narrow down your own
original perspective.

Choose a profession:

The Linguist: Explore questions regarding grammar, language, communication

What role does Nadsat play in ​A Clockwork Orange​? Consider how dialect, syntax, lexicography, etc.
convey (or obscure) meaning. How are languages used in constructing a dystopia? How is Nadsat
different from Newspeak, perhaps? How does Alex’s use of language provide readers with a window into
his character and his generation?

You should do some reading up on linguistics, a deeply interesting field. Consider researching some of the
thoughts of Edward Sapir and Benjamin Lee Whorf, Noam Chomsky, Edward T. Hall, etc. These are
prominent thinkers in the fields of language and culture. Some were mentioned in the Ithkuil article.

The Historian: Explore questions regarding history, culture, biography

A Clockwork Orange​ was published in 1962. What artistic movements were occurring at the time that
could have influenced Burgess? What else was happening in the world when Burgess was writing the
novel? Does he comment on these events in his fiction? How does the novel address concerns of the
1950s and early 60s? He lived from 1917-1993—what was his life like?

You could also expand this prompt and look at a historical or social issue through the lens of ​A Clockwork
Orange​. For example, if you were interested in pursuing the discussion on prisons, you could research the
history of prisons in the twentieth century and how Burgess contributes to that discussion with his novel.

The Critic: Explore questions regarding critical reception, publication, impact

A Clockwork Orange​ is ambitious and a creative risk—does it work? How was it initially received by critics
and by the public? How is it received now? Which parts of the book remain relevant and which do not?
What role does it play within the dystopian genre? You could also consider how Alex fits into the anti-hero
archetype we have been developing all year.

If you were an editor, where would you stand in the debate surrounding the final chapter? Browse literary
criticism and book reviews for some varied perspectives. If you are interested in writing a more traditional
“English class” essay then this prompt is the way to go.

***
Citing an outside source is required for all prompts. It is also your responsibility to cite your sources
according to MLA format and to provide a works cited. Information available on the website and elsewhere
online.

Suggested Length: 3 pages

You might also like