The Clockwork Orange: What do you think about the final chapter?

I think it can go both ways. Not many people know there is a 21st chapter either and are more familiar with Kubric’s motion picture adaptation of the book which does not have this final chapter in it. Knowing Alex “grows up” like most angst ridden teenagers do as was illustrated in that final chapter was for me a full circle evolution of this boy who was ultimately a victim of his state and simply grew out of his desire to fight the system and consider becoming a part of it. No where near as sensational of an ending as stopping after 20 chapters and I am a purist when it comes to allowing the original author to present their works as they originally created them.

@Cruiser That’s an interesting answer.

I think it adds yet another dimension to the story of Alex and the society he lives in (reflecting on our own of course). The seemingly backwards morality of granting a psychopath freedom bends back again when he simply dulls down, grows up, and comes full circle, as @Cruiser pointed out.

@efritz You’re right, but I still think that it would be better if we knew that he’s probably going to kill again, steal again, and all that stuff. I mean, it’s not real, it’s a story. I expected to read a different ending, a more violent one.

@disenchanted_poisongirl I think Alex’s rehabilitation which is almost like a castration of the will that speaks to the level of conformity society demands on its citizenry. When young and free on the street Alex was alive albeit violent and in the end thanks to his “rehabilitation” he silently dissolves into the fabric of a lifeless existence with the rest of his society. I think that is actually quite the violent ending!

@Cruiser – yeah. Society wins no matter what, through direct or indirect means, indirect being the more sinister, in my opinion.

I do see what you’re saying, @disenchanted_poisongirl, the first ending has a snap and threat to it, I think, whereas chapter 21 is more of a slow burn. And Alex does steal and kill and wreak vengeance, along with countless other youths, before he stops his violence – which is always being cycled through with a regrown generation, and always occurring anyway.

Thank you jellies, GAs to everyone :) :) Your answers are very interesting. But I still don’t like the final chapter. It’s weird, because I ‘hate’ the 21st chapter, but I also don’t like the movie. Anyway, thanks for all the great answers, everyone.