Conduct Disorder in the Film a Clockwork Orange
Kristen Kleiner
Abnormal Psychology
July 19th, 2012
Alex DeLarge in A Clockwork Orange
A Clockwork Orange is set in futuristic Britain. The main character and narrator, Alex DeLarge, is the leader of a sadistic teen gang. Alex introduces his “droogs”, or friends, as Pete, Georgie, and Dim. After getting intoxicated at the Korova Milk Bar, they perform a series of “ultra-violent” crimes. This includes beating a homeless man, fighting a rival gang, and theft. They also play “Hogs of the Road”, a game in which they steal a car and drive recklessly with the intention of causing harm to pedestrians and/or other drivers. They decide to carry out a “surprise visit”, where they go to a stranger’s home and pretend to be in danger in order to gain entrance. They sing and laugh while harming their victims, a married couple. The man is beaten, bound, and forced to watch his wife being brutally raped. The gang then returns to the Korova for a nightcap. This is when we discover Alex’s love for classical music, and the discontent that the gang feels toward their arrogant leader. Alex returns home to his parent’s house. He has a drawer full of stolen goods. He listens to Beethoven before going to sleep. The joy he finds in classical music is strongly related to the elation he feels throughout acts of ultra-violence.
The next day, Alex plays hooky from school. His parents appear to be very passive, lacking the courage to create boundaries. They believe that Alex is out late due to his “jobs”. Later that day, Alex has sex with two unfamiliar girls. Afterwards, he quarrels with his droogs about a scheme that Georgie constructed. As the gang walk along a marina, Alex clubs Georgie in the groin and kicks him into the water. Dim swings his chain at Alex, who ducks out of the way, resulting in Dim in the water as well. Alex deceivingly offers his hand to Dim; when he reaches for it, Alex cuts him with a knife. It appears that everything is restored while the gang further
Abnormal Psychology
July 19th, 2012
Alex DeLarge in A Clockwork Orange
A Clockwork Orange is set in futuristic Britain. The main character and narrator, Alex DeLarge, is the leader of a sadistic teen gang. Alex introduces his “droogs”, or friends, as Pete, Georgie, and Dim. After getting intoxicated at the Korova Milk Bar, they perform a series of “ultra-violent” crimes. This includes beating a homeless man, fighting a rival gang, and theft. They also play “Hogs of the Road”, a game in which they steal a car and drive recklessly with the intention of causing harm to pedestrians and/or other drivers. They decide to carry out a “surprise visit”, where they go to a stranger’s home and pretend to be in danger in order to gain entrance. They sing and laugh while harming their victims, a married couple. The man is beaten, bound, and forced to watch his wife being brutally raped. The gang then returns to the Korova for a nightcap. This is when we discover Alex’s love for classical music, and the discontent that the gang feels toward their arrogant leader. Alex returns home to his parent’s house. He has a drawer full of stolen goods. He listens to Beethoven before going to sleep. The joy he finds in classical music is strongly related to the elation he feels throughout acts of ultra-violence.
The next day, Alex plays hooky from school. His parents appear to be very passive, lacking the courage to create boundaries. They believe that Alex is out late due to his “jobs”. Later that day, Alex has sex with two unfamiliar girls. Afterwards, he quarrels with his droogs about a scheme that Georgie constructed. As the gang walk along a marina, Alex clubs Georgie in the groin and kicks him into the water. Dim swings his chain at Alex, who ducks out of the way, resulting in Dim in the water as well. Alex deceivingly offers his hand to Dim; when he reaches for it, Alex cuts him with a knife. It appears that everything is restored while the gang further
References: American Psychiatric Association. (2000). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (4th ed., text rev.). Washington, DC: Author. Options for managing conduct disorder. (2011). Harvard Mental Health Letter, 27(9), 1-3.