A Clockwork Orange and the Literary Canon keiran Potter 12th Grade

The literary canon is comprised of texts said to be of considerable value, texts regarded as experimentally profound and which may even be said to change the way the reader perceives the world. A Clockwork Orange can be deemed an experimental masterpiece, as it explores universally significant and social issues which challenge the moral conscience of its reader. Through his unique use of language, Burgess deals with explicit subject matters and appears to appreciate the strength of his words, as well as the timeless power they hold. Furthermore, through his portrayal of youthfulness and violence in general, the writer toys with cultural stereotypes and the concept of free will, thereby challenging the reader in regards to the morals and preconceptions of what truly makes someone human. Following Alex throughout the diegetic narrative, Burgess explores many levels of morality, which contribute to its social significance, rendering it as a canonical text

Burgess experiments with language to engineer a gripping narrative and craft the reader’s perception of Alex. From the outset Burgess employs Nad-sat, a hybrid idiolect employed by Alex and his ‘droogs,’ and which at first seems alien to the reader. The language Alex uses is...