While discussing Stanley Kubrick's film 'A Clockwork Orange', a friend was surprised when I commented that I thought it carried a very religious message. Perhaps Anthony Burgess' religious message was easier to appreciate in the book than in the film, but it is still a strong element. The whole point behind 'A Clockwork Orange' is the Christian doctrine of free will. It can be used to maintain faith in a world that appears godless.
The Christian doctrine of free will states that god allows evil to exist in the world because people must be able to choose their own path. Of course, god could overcome the devil and remove all evil from the world, but that wouldn't work out. Being good by nature is no good; we must have the potential for evil but must choose goodness to get into heaven. When Alexander Delarge undergoes Ludovico's treatment, it renders him unable to perform violent acts; the very thought of violence makes him violently ill. When his forced good behaviour finally results in his attempted suicide Anthony Burgess' point is made; there is no life without free will and god's existence is completely proved, well, not quite.
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