A Clockwork Orange - Thug Notes Summary & Analysis

[@connorveenstra]

I actually like the book ending. It gives Alex redemption, because he chooses to do the right thing, further adding to theme of choice.

[@petermetothomassen1205]

+Connor Veenstra I liked the ending as well from a literary point of view, but the book would probably pack a harder punch without the last chapter. Number 21 that is - the age of maturity.

[@bauhausa6933]

i do thing that kinda too optimistic for something like Clockwork Orange

[@bauhausa6933]

really ? never heard that

[@k00pa]

I just read the UK edition. He has a new gang, but he quits the violence of it, and has a son.

[@alicekliewer]

Connor Veenstra I think the ending is possibly dangerous because it spreads this false idea of how these horrible acts were only committed because Alex is immature instead of disturbed. That's a horrible lesson and also I feel goes against the whole idea that the book is trying to get across of how whether someone is good or evil you cannot deny them their free will. It severely lessons it when you say "oh ya, they'll just grow out of it anyways"

[@ryanwebb6969]

Now I know what you're thinking what the hell does this have to do with oranges

[@axeledongo7846]

Ryan Webb I gotta admit I didn't have it much thought cause I knew thugnotrs would enlighten my a**

[@rapalo89]

Orang is person in indonesian, which inspired the author

[@dmasa6562]

@@rapalo89 emg bener bro? Ada sumber?

[@taraevitathalia9249]

@@rapalo89 Not true, it came from a cockney expression “as queer as a clockwork orange,” which means strange, odd, or unusual

[@Redem10]

I look forward to Alex Delarge making small talk about his teenage years to his wife

[@queenella4401]

Lol. Yeah gonna be a tough conversation

[@Melvinshermen]

Redem10 Thank god we did not get mini series

[@kymo6343]

@@queenella4401 Only if he was planning to be honest about it, which I doubt. He'd probably just make up an easy and palatable lie.

[@mucro849]

The Delarge Family

[@yer_old_pal_Jerky]

"What's up, Droogies?" *clap*clap*clap*clap*clap*clap*

[@axeledongo7846]

Mark Thibodeau I viddy what he did there

[@Kari166]

I like how you replaced the scotch(?) with a glass of milk. :D

[@WisecrackEDU]

And I'm lactose intolerant!

[@mathieuleader8601]

Wisecrack was it soy or that almond milk

[@WisecrackEDU]

Mathieu Leader It was soy. Probably why I made that face!

[@sixromeo]

Wisecrack what if soy milk is just regular milk introducing itself in spanish

[@mathieuleader8601]

Wisecrack do you drink lacto free

[@tarico4436]

In my travels I've found that the book is almost always better than the movie. In this case the movie is almost as good as the book. Kubrick was a genius.

[@hankyoung6532]

+TAR ICO I hate Stanley, the book was way better

[@heidih3048]

If anything, the movie is a highly stylized, greatly simplified and dumbed-down version of the book. So, I don't agree with your perspective here.

[@mistry6292]

a clockwork orange is perhaps one of the most important christian novel of the century. a thing to note is that burgess was a scholar of james joyce. this is burgess's answer to the aesthetic hero presented in the portrait of an artist as a young man. joyce is very saturated in nietzsche and you cannot seperate the aethetisism of nietzsche and that of stephen daedalus. burgess was tired of the idea of the aesthetic hero and wondered what if instead of an aesthetic herro being being a nerddy guy with great tastes, but what if he was a monster instead? what if instead we had a great aesthete with absolutely no moral values. in the movie kubric is siding with burgess but instead took the platonic view of the matter. instead of the christian perspective of a clockwork orange, the movie was instead platonic. the movie was a critique of the art of the motion picture. now on the note of the ending, it is a conversion. a redemption of alex. people pass of the book and movie for schlock and pulp but there's a lot to be unpacked.

[@tarico4436]

@@mistry6292 I wish I had something important or interesting to say re your comment, mistry. Thanks for your thoughts, and I did read your entire comment. Twice. Platonic as in Plato? Or as in non-romantic? Can you see how I'm lost? I did read book once, and have watched the film like fifteen times. Really, sadly, almost all of my thoughts on Clockwork Orange are related to memories of the film. I reeeeeeeealy should reread it, but there are too many cat and dog videos to watch.

[@mistry6292]

@@tarico4436 yeah platonic as in plato

[@AlltimeConspiracies]

Fantastic! A truly disturbing yet terrific work.

[@AN474-e1o]

Terrifying yet terrific.

[@cemttrou2246]

100% brilliance

[@erinbutler2892]

I'll disagree about the ending being 'bad' - the point of the book (I think) is how useless forcing an external change onto someone is, and that the decisions they make have to come from themselves or are effectively meaningless. The ending might be _unsatisfactory_ to some readers, but that's completely appropriate, too: what the audience wants to impose on the story - the ending they think is the 'right' one - would be just as false as the one brainwashing of Alex by the governmental forces. To get all meta and shit.

[@EnclosedPoolArea]

I don't think the government was false to brainwash him. Only wrong in releasing him instead of putting him down.

[@simonyeh1619]

The ending works for the book, mostly just cause it needs a bit of an epilogue, but it was great to have it cut from the movie. You don't need to demonstrate the character choosing good just to point out that having a choice between good and evil is important. If anything, it packs more punch to know that there are horrible people who will never choose good, and its STILL important to allow them that choice.

[@Blucham]

I actually think it DOESN'T show that the freedom to choose is important... It ends on the suggestion that some people will never change. After all Alex has gone through, he still goes right back to his violent tendencies. With an ending that ominous, it practically insists that capital punishment needs to be enforced. And why waste resources rehabilitating people who will only put others in hospitals, or worse? The book makes the case a lot stronger by offering a scenario where the right choice is made naturally. (Albeit much later in life.) The movie is great, and presents amazingly challenging themes never seen before. But ultimately it just asks questions. It rouses chaotic philosophical dilemmas with no clear solution. Again, in its own way, that is really good too.

[@simonyeh1619]

Blucham Yeh you might be right, its been a while since I've watched it. Next time I do I'll keep the question of choice in mind and see if its addressed anywhere. That said, I agree more with your point that ultimately it justs asks questions, and less with your suggestion that it practically insists capital punishment needs to be enforced. There are people in the world beyond rehabilitation but I don't think the film itself states what should be done with them, though obviously many would walk away with an extreme solution in mind.

[@Blucham]

Good point... It's been a while since I watched it as well. I'm just going with my lingering impressions! ;) The movie definitely gets you feeling bad for him when he becomes the victim. Even if you KNOW what he did before and might've wished retribution on him at one point... it kinda changes in the moment that it's happening. Another interesting angle to consider is how great things might've been if not for the side effect with the music... Or the terribly inconvenient chance encounters with his past associates. His treatment may have been a pretty darn good solution. Heck, he VOLUNTEERED himself for it in order to get out of jail! There was definitely Choice AND Freedom in the mix! Bummer we only get to discuss a failed trial...

[@simonyeh1619]

Blucham I'm inclined to think of people as Clockwork Oranges myself, but I can relate to the fervent need to illustrate their humanity beyond the inner cogs of the brain. I wonder if there was a way of expressing that without putting young Alex through such hell after the treatment, but then, I guess that wouldn't have been as fun :P

[@Blucham]

No fun indeed! ;D You know, now I just wanna acknowledge... This has been a pleasant discussion! Lol It's some dark and heavy subject matter... Always so polarizing! I might've disagreed with you and nitpicked at first but you responded very respectably! I wish more KZbin comment interactions were like this. Thank you much! ^_^

[@FlexibleToast]

How do you become so proficient at seeing the deeper meanings in pieces like this? I almost always take things at literal value and miss out a lot in the world of art (which is why I gravitate towards sciences). I'll probably always have to depend on someone who has studied different forms of art to interpret things for me. It's kind of sad.

[@BleedYT]

+Joseph McDade Well you're already on the right path, you know its just a matter of knowledge, and its not anything hard it's just hours and hours of passion, watch a lot of interesting movies (Kubrick's for instance ), read a lot about symbolism (I find that books like Totem & Taboo help a lot ) and check some painting analysis articles/books, in a few month you'll build enough knowledge and deep symbolisms/subtle meanings in art will become second nature.

[@FlexibleToast]

+El Otmani Ali I wish I had the time to devote to this. Between life, hobbies, and schooling I don't have a whole lot of free time. Maybe someday.

[@BleedYT]

+Joseph McDade Oh well that's a skill that involves a lot of hobbies to start with

[@FlexibleToast]

+El Otmani Ali maybe when I finish my degree. Pretty doubtful though. The thing with computer science is it is always changing. I like all the new stuff to learn about, but my mind would take significant training to appreciate art. It would be a significant under taking for me.

[@sparkydoodle696]

+Joseph McDade That and Google

[@TheSurefireProject]

Love your channel. :)

[@WisecrackEDU]

Then I love you.

[@jacksonreid4824]

+Wisecrack Awww...

[@eroupopper]

+Wisecrack I would like to see a thug note of Little Women.

[@fabrizoluggerious6855]

I have to say your videos are very entertaining. You have a great sense of humor with the whole thug twist on books/literature which most of the books you cover have some deep concepts to them. Your very smart and the cherry on the top is your humor and playfulness to subject matter at hand - which some of it is shall we say can be rather stuffy/dry. The paradox is what makes your videos fun to watch but you probably already knew that.

[@SlamifiedBuddafied]

That was excellent. I've only seen Kubrick's film version and have yet to read the book.

[@SuperMightyChicken]

Quality book but it gets outdone by the masterpiece of film

[@fukolombobby]

+SuperMightyChicken I think the film doesn't pack the same as punch of the film.

[@SaikoKujo]

The movie makes it a little easier to get into the slang.

[@julietfischer5056]

It's written in first person singular, with Alex using the slang and colloquialisms of his environment.

[@thechef6507]

@@fukolombobby you said film twice

[@BaconMaken]

I'm so glad my 11th grade English teacher told me about your channel.

[@ReeferGaming]

How about a little Edgar Allan Poe? That would be dope.

[@WisecrackEDU]

Working on a special for him

[@Joshua99889]

Wisecrack My friend what is the music at the ending whats the name of it?

[@eef1309]

dope? dis isn't da 90s

[@whichever-godyou-prefer1640]

It's awesome how thug notes actually replies to most of their viewers comments.

[@WisecrackEDU]

What are you talking about!?!? ;)

[@whichever-godyou-prefer1640]

Wisecrack Awesome haha

[@deanjones924]

You nailed it. Best summary ever.

[@Blucham]

MAD RESPECT to Sparky Sweets for covering this book... I wish he addresses the freaky bizarre slang the narrator uses though... This book is a very challenging read... Both thematically, AND in writing style.

[@Anthraxinternational]

Could you please analyze Watchmen? Though it might be a comic book, it's up there with some of the greatest literary fictions there is. It covers so many aspects about psychology, politics, religion, morality and so much more it's hard to even comprehend it all.

[@TheRantMaster53]

If he considers doing graphic novels like Watchmen, then I seriously hope he gets around to Maus.

[@Anthraxinternational]

TheRantMaster53 Maybe they could make a spin-off channel focusing on comic books and such.

[@wordforger]

Yep, I second both Watchmen and Maus. Both have a place on my shelf next to other literary classics.

[@WisecrackEDU]

Great idea. I need to figure out how / if we'd be able to get away with using DC's characters and graphics for the illustrations.

[@Anthraxinternational]

Wisecrack Wouldn't it fall under fair use for review purposes, or am I just being naive? Either way, it's just great that you're seriously considering it no matter how it turns out in the end. Thanks a bunch!

[@insolentwretch]

Thug Notes... You're my hero.

[@EnigmaHood]

I didn't like either ending. I didn't like the book ending because I didn't think a scumbag like Alex deserved to settle down and have a family. He's a rapist and a murderer, what he deserves is to suffer for his actions. When you commit abhorrent crimes, your freedom is forfeit, and the egregious nature of his crimes warrant the forfeiture of his freedom for the rest of his life. I didn't like the movie ending for the same reason. Whether he became good or not does not change the fact that he's indulging in his desires when they should be forfeit as punishment for his abhorrent crimes.

[@DOLLwazowski]

EnigmaHood I see your point. Burgees wasn't trying to praise violence in anyway. He was after this idea of the choice between picking good or bad is what makes human.

[@EnigmaHood]

wendy diaz Well yeah, actually Burgees was a victim of violence. I believe the rape scene was based on a real life event that happened in his family's life. But he does try to tell us that taking away a person's freewill is wrong. I'm not so sure I agree with that. Putting someone in prison also takes away their freewill and we do that all the time.

[@BriantheBuilda]

+EnigmaHood wow. I didn't know that was inspired by a life experience of his own :c but we don't entirely take away the free will of criminals when we incarcerate them. That's more of a punishment. They can still choose to do bad things once they're out of prison, heck they could choose to do bad things while in prison too!

[@EnigmaHood]

mint h Except it didn't humanize him. All the abhorrent actions he did were very much human to begin with.

[@EnigmaHood]

mint h Except it doesn't. That's a two wrongs make a right fallacy. Just because other people were abusing him doesn't make Alex more human, it puts him on the receiving end of retribution which honestly he deserved. Being pummeled and beaten up doesn't make you more human. Also the difference is that Alex enjoyed watching innocent people suffer, his victims enjoyed watching him suffer for the crimes he committed against them, which is no different than how we punish anyone for their crimes.

[@lucas13091996]

This video is PURE GOLD MATERIAL.

[@catarinasilva752]

this is by far one of my favourite books. your channel has really helped me understand books a bit better. thank you for that

[@TaiChiKnees]

This was a fantastic episode. I learned so much!

[@WisecrackEDU]

Dank

[@lordmaximus5]

since when can I translate 'dank' to 'thanks'?

[@Metlhed420]

Dank or danke, short for danke schoen. German for thank you very much. Bitte schoen, you're welcome.

[@beefsupreme64]

Edgar Allan Poe you're outta touch poe

[@lordmaximus5]

I better start learning german.

[@BwAaS]

Litteraly the best description of "a clockwork orange" ive ever heard

[@kirikei]

Doing an MIB in Beijing, got classes all day long, returning to my dorm... watching your videos help make the transition between studying in class and studying on your own. Thanks for the motivation, you are doing a great job

[@practicalsurvivor693]

That's likely the best summary of the human condition I have been privy to...Thank you!!! I saw this movie as a young teen and it opened my mind towards free thought.

[@discokidx1]

Very impressive, throurough, yet succinct explanation of Burgess's message.

[@aquaintsound]

Book is so dark but SO well written There were two versions of the book published- some with the last chapter and some without So the movie ending actually is the most popular book ending (for US publication)

[@sbzthorpe6055]

This KZbin channel is amazing, thank you very much for trying to show us literature from a different and funny perspective!

[@jonathanescamilla5]

Great analysis and big ups on recommending the film as well.

[@umbrella0326]

Damn. You nailed it. This movie is complicated. And you just nailed it.

[@mariabrown6926]

I don't know how you don't have 1 million subs yet

[@LucyisnotintheSky]

this channel is amazing. I love literature and it's great to see something so different and creative. thanks man. love it.

[@EnigmaHood]

A lot of people don't like the 21st chapter because they didn't like the idea of Alex "growing up" and he should have remained violent. But I didn't like the 21st chapter because I don't believe Alex deserves redemption. The book tries to make Alex as a victim, but the problem is; he isn't. He's a rapist, murdering thug and he deserved to suffer for his crimes. So the 21st chapter is bad not because it's out of character, but because it's allowing Alex to live a good and relaxing life when he doesn't deserve it. Also I disagree with the entire premise and moral of the story. The book tries to assert that human beings are "machines" and we have freewill, but I don't buy that. We, like other animals, are products of our genes and the physical chemical make-up of our brains. If you alter the chemical or physical composition of our brains, you can alter the behavior. Anti-depression drugs, trauma to the brain, lobotomy, etc can all have major impacts on a person's behavior. As such, if a person is pre-disposed to violence, it's likely that there is a physical reason for that as well. It's not a surprise that many cult leaders have very similar pathologies, abusing animals as children, and having similar brain structure. Maybe we aren't so different from machines as we like to believe we are.

[@X249J]

+EnigmaHood It’s not a matter of whether Alex deserves a redemption or not, it’s a matter of how he felt a redemption and why he was able to feel one. The 21st chapter serves as the final words that come as close as possible to spelling the moral of the story out. It wasn’t put there just so the novel could have a happy ending, it’s a statement about growing up and becoming mature enough to see that senseless violence and other senseless behaviors of childhood are either wrong or pointless and must be curtailed to grow as a person. It also shows that a lack of such perspective is simply a natural, inescapable part of youth. The 21st chapter is Alex’s reflection upon his new perspective: he has, indeed as you say, been a god-awful person - raping, beating, murdering, destroying, vandalizing, etc. However, he has also been a victim. I saw in your previous, shorter version of this comment that you see this as a “two wrongs make a right” fallacy, but it is not so. He has been beaten, rejected, tortured, and hurt by an entire political and social system. He has been both the abuser and the abused, but it’s key that it happens in that order. Alex is characterized as a young kid who lives as a violent criminal until he’s incarcerated and then becomes the victim of violence and rejection. The 21st chapter shows how he now knows how it feels to be at the end of the violence and psychological torture that he himself used to perpetrate on others. It’s a key tenet of growing up - seeing the other side of your actions. The 21st chapter shows that Alex is no longer a clockwork orange; he is finally able to be an organic human as he can grow and his perspective and attitude can change. The chapter is meant to show how his experiences have shown him the senselessness of his years as a scoundrel and the fact that kids just don’t have enough life experience to see the full picture. Alex does in the 21st chapter, and is saying how he is ready to move on and become a decent person. In a way, the 21st chapter doesn’t even redeem him for his transgressions, but rather it shows how he has come to accept and learn from them. And for the record, the book never asserts that humans are both “machines” and are free-willed. That’s the whole idea of the book: we have free will and are thus not machines. Your whole spiel about biology is fine, but it does not apply here. The book’s point is that it is wrong to take away the free will from someone and thereby make them a machine, even if that person is a horrible criminal.

[@EnigmaHood]

X249J Yes it is a matter of whether he deserves redemption or not. The book presents him as a victim, and then he's released since he was "abused" by the system, which is bullshit. Stop pontificating to me about what the 21st chapter means, I'm well aware of what the author intended by it, but it's irrelevant to my point. He can think that violence is tiresome and childish while he rots away in a prison cell because that's where he belongs. You don't get to rape, torture, and murder people and then think all of that is childish and then get married and life happily ever after. It's not childish, it's sadistic and he deserves to suffer for his actions. He's not a victim anymore than any other criminal that is being punished by the criminal justice system. What you think that you deserve a medal for doing the right thing? He committed major crimes, the fact that he realized that they were wrong doesn't change the fact that he deserves to suffer for his crimes. He deserves life in prison, he doesn't deserve freedom. He doesn't deserve to find a good girl and get married. I don't care that he's no longer a clockwork orange. Your facile argument is like saying that Osama bin Laden is better off as not being a clockwork orange. Who cares? People wanted him dead for his actions, no one particularly cares whether his actions are of his own freewill or not, he did crimes and people wanted retribution for them. I feel no sympathy for Alex just like you feel no sympathy for bin Laden. You're a hypocrite if you feel anything for Alex. I think I wrote a typo there, I meant to say that the book asserts we are not machines and have free will. First of all, don't call my argument a spiel. I'll block your ass in a second if you disrespect me. Second it does apply here. The book gets on a high horse and tries to make a case for freewill when my arguments demonstrate a case that we actually don't. How much freewill do serial killers and psychopaths have when neurological studies indicate that they have very similar brain structures and chemical compositions that contrast to normal people? We are products of our physical composition, altering the physical composition of our brain alters our behavior. That's hardly what I would call "free will". If that's the point of the book, then I disagree that it is wrong. Killing a person also takes away a person's free will. Are you saying it was wrong to kill Osama bin Laden?

[@EnigmaHood]

Cal Clove Shoo troll! Shoo!

[@rikterterran3833]

So basically, you're pissed that a fictional character didn't get what he deserved.

[@rikterterran3833]

Okay then.

[@lucynoobsgames5960]

this is literally the greatest channel on youtube thank you

[@TMFlesh]

Would love to see you do Ayn Rand's "Atlas Shrugged"

[@asendimchev1996]

I'm pretty sure they're trying to do works of some literary value.

[@TMFlesh]

wrong angle So you are suggesting that the second most read book after the bible is of no literary value? Even if you don't like the book you have to admit that there is value in analyzing it.

[@asendimchev1996]

TMFlesh Well, since the first one is useless, why would the second be any different? And I'm pretty sure that Atlas often scores high on polls in the United States, but these polls are more likely to show the devotion of the author's followers than the literary value of the work itself. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modern_Library_100_Best_Novels As you can see here, the reader's list is filled with Ayn Rand and Hubbard, people who have a blind cult following them. In a way, I think that Ayn Rand's works tingle the same primitive parts of the brain the bible touches so directly. I do think that these books are worth of analysis, but their ideas are so flawed that the video would turn into criticism and that's not what Thug Notes does.

[@TMFlesh]

Sir John Mandeville Yea that was a mistake by me, I should have said most influential and that is by a poll of an American audience. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlas_Shrugged This channel did a video on the books Lolita and The Hunger Games so arguments about some kind of literary standard that popularity has nothing to do with it is quite frankly bullshit. wrong angle Have you even read Atlas Shrugged? I get the feeling you didn't or you wouldn't make the idiotic comparison between it and the Bible seeing as not only was Rand an atheist but the book itself denounces religion.

[@asendimchev1996]

TMFlesh So the fuck what? Christianity also denounced other religions.

[@intriguedmutton998]

I just discovered this channel. Greatest thing ever in the history of EVAR!

[@TheChach]

I literally just watched the movie for the first time 20 minutes ago.

[@lokust]

I've been HOOKED on these since quarantine!

[@hazieqriefdy2441]

Just a correction, orange refers to orang or 'people' in Malaysia, Anthony Burgess was stationed in Malaysia during WW2 and clockwork orange basically means clockwork people.

[@McMatthewL]

Anthony Burgess himself said he heard the phrase 'Queer as a clockwork orange' in London and liked it, and then he added the extra dimension of the sweet, organic fruit and the "mechanical, the cold, the disciplined." He has also given your explanation, but neither is the 'correct' one, so there's nothing to be corrected.

[@Illersvansen]

I see both of you have read the Wikipedia article...

[@McMatthewL]

You're not wrong

[@julietfischer5056]

I've read that elsewhere. 'Queer' as in 'odd' or 'peculiar'. 'Clockwork' in this case referring to the gears and springs of clocks and similar sorts of mechanisms. An orange made from moving parts is pretty darn weird.

[@the9-2-5outlawgamer]

Now I can see why this is called thug notes. It’s like cliff notes only read by a roughneck brother who makes reading time seem a lot less boring.

[@danish93girl]

Another nice episode! Ever thought about doing 'A Streetcar named desire'?

[@chippymav45]

Yo this channel helped me with what I couldn't understand, thanks Thug Notes for helping me pass my English classes

[@camotophat]

LOL! I don't think I've ever heard him recommend the movie before. XD

[@long-term-parking]

Love the channel man, helped me get an A in English! So glad I found it whilst studying for my exams. To do A Streetcar Named Desire would be a huge help for me, to hopefully get an A this year too! Thanks a lot man.

[@WisecrackEDU]

Love to hear it, bruh!

[@lillysora]

"That ending sucks, go watch the movie." Bravo, bravo! One of the few in my opinion where the movie is better than the book.

[@Charles12]

i disagree

[@patrickkinnear8625]

You just got a new fan. This is great, intellectually honest, and well done. Subscribed.

[@Terranscapes]

Excellent. The most enjoyable episode I have seen to date. I might be partial however, since I truly love the movie, and Kubrick in particular. ;)

[@kevenge7287]

come back Thug notes! we miss you!!!

[@pguin3]

Still don't understand why everyone hates the ending. It does nothing to contradict the main theme of the story. He still has the choice man is entitled to. He just choses to hang up his Britva and settle down. This shows Alex has matured from all he has gone through and moves on. Just like all of us, the things he used to do as a kid, don't sound fun anymore because he's grown up. Ultraviolence had become ultraboring for him. He decides to find a wife because that sounds like a better thing to do with his life. Something new, something he hasn't experienced. It's not that he realizes the wrong in what he's doing, he just matures and grows out of it. In my opinion, the book could not have ended any better.

[@SaikoKujo]

It's not that the book ending "sucks"... It only sucks when compared with THE MOVIE.

[@TheEvilEve2012]

Holy Mother of Pearl!!!! I love this series YOU are my new favorite reviewer EVER!!!! Please do every book every book EVER read! I love this book,movie and your review! Thank you so sososososoososooooooooooooooo much

[@hispanosaurusrex]

I was about to watch the movie, I feel like I seen the whole thing from your summary. thanks! 👌

[@devinbell4816]

Watch the movie anyway! It's still a masterpiece!

[@Khwerz]

Jorge Meza the movie is indeed a masterpiece, you might never feel quite as disgusted (or turned on... who knows?)

[@Evan-wu2rs]

the movie doesn't have the last chapter where alex decides he is bored of the violence and to find a wife after seeing pete with one. it just ends with him going back to a gang which he is leader

[@zsleepwalker]

The best explanation of "A Clockwork Orange" I've ever heard.

[@shedoesntevengohere1693]

Thank God for Homeschooling. This is the new generation of Schoolhouse Rock

[@moralfuxery]

Thug Breakdowns are actually some of the deepest dives into these movies. This shit is genius.

[@Illersvansen]

Do Siddhartha next!

[@manabluerose]

I love that book. It would be awesome to see it reviewed here.

[@SaunatinaSanchez]

+1 for Siddhartha.

[@travonahill3433]

Promise this the best analysis I've gotten

[@poisondamage2182]

also "a lex" is latin for outside the law

[@1Kekula]

Bull Shit. "a lex" means "by law" Cmon, everybody with some education on latin or the ability to google can figure this crap out. ffs translate.google.de/?hl=de&tab=wT#la/en/a%20lex Even google translate got its shit together Why do people believe you/this dude without even cheking if its true? Why would you lie about that? Godamn. Im getting angry over some dude lying on the internet. Cant sink any lower.

[@poisondamage2182]

Keku so. 1. a lot of latin words, especially those little ones can mean a lot of things. the don't have one definitif translations. context is important. 2. it's not what i say, it's what the author says. educate yourself before assuming shit on the internet.

[@joepelidelculo3455]

actually "a lex" in latin literally means "to the law" and no amount of context can change that. Come on, don't be rude on youtube, you're better than that :)

[@poisondamage2182]

Joe Pelidelculo 1. i'm still quoting the author, it's not my opinion. 2. i'm not the one who started being an asshole on the internet...but whatever...

[@alexanderpurkis3508]

The noun "lex" is in nominative form, which in latin makes no sense since, as in german, prepositions inflect nouns. "Ad", "ab" and "a" can mean both to and from, depending on the conjugation of the noun. "To the law" translates as "a legem" and "from the law" would be "a lege" ("outside the law" = "ex legem").

[@epothos1]

Hadn't heard about that title explanation Learn something new everyday

[@Rune3D]

I'd also like to see Thug Notes: Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?

[@drthunder138]

I adore both the film and book. Thank you for finally covering A Clockwork Orange.

[@simonyeh1619]

Watership Down!

[@MrTylerMatyas]

Yet another wonderful episode, thanks for crankin' out that quality content, Thug Notes. :)

[@OfWaynesAndPuppets]

Let's se you do a play outside of Shakespeare; "Tartuffe" by Moliere. It's a real beauty

[@WisecrackEDU]

Great idea

[@OfWaynesAndPuppets]

Wisecrack Glad you think so :)

[@BiologicalClock]

I'll second that!

[@mathieuleader8601]

sounds like a truffle tart

[@DontFeedTheTrolls]

This is a great channel! Keep doin what you do, bro.

[@kevincarroll5511]

Please do Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett.

[@anonymus6646]

I kept this episode carefully on my ,,watch later" playlist so i could read the book first. Finished it seconds ago. I am excited.

[@gabrielleb74]

I've never read the book or seen the movie but in a messed up way the Ludovico Technique worked. He changed his ways afterward even after he broke free of it. Would he have done so otherwise? I'm not saying that's the correct way to rehabilitate someone, it's not.

[@koernerkomedy]

That's actually the entire point of the book's ending (which the movie and the initial American release of the book cut): that Alex would have eventually changed his ways without having his free will stripped from him. Upon maturing, his old lifestyle began to lose its appeal, but it isn't forcibly removed from him like it is under the Ludovico Technique.

[@TheGenericNerd]

Andrew A. Koerner But the books original ending devalues it's own point by casting rape and violence as mere childish shenanigans.

[@koernerkomedy]

I will admit that that's a potential reading of it, but I think it's meant less to cast them as childish shenanigans and more to show that reform can legitimately happen of one's own free will.

[@koernerkomedy]

Besides, omitting that chapter and ending the story with Alex overjoyed at his ability to do evil again is to imply that rape and violence are inherently valuable because they reinforce our free will.

[@TheGenericNerd]

Andrew A. Koerner But to go by the idea that reform can grow naturally still makes a supposition that Alex becomes absolved of all his past deeds because he made the choice for himself. At least in the movie it seemed to reaffirm that Alex is indeed a villain and not a victim.

[@kodos3333]

"What's up droogie!" Always makes me laugh.

[@Blucham]

Really? The ending sucks? XP Well I beg to differ... I preferred it to the movie. The movie gave up at him becoming "free allright" but the book took it a step further, and showed how he still felt empty even after all that. Then he CHOOSES to live the straight and narrow, and becomes fulfilled. It was actually more hopeful and defined... I certainly respected the author more for offering an answer to his own challenging questions. I guess the movie was good, in the sense that it was more CHALLENGING. Didn't spoon feed the viewer a happily ever after wrap-up. But it still feels like it was just made to troll and traumatize people. No answers or alternatives for solving ultraviolent tendencies... Just the suggestion that law enforcers are terrible people and that victims can be just as cruel as the offender!

[@VolatileAhnuv]

EEEEEEEE! I mean..... thank you ever so much. ^_^ You are AWESOME! I've never had someone take my suggestions on youtube seriously. You just made my day. :D And that was a great, if brief, analysis. You summed up everything really well for people who have never read it.

[@Fatboyftw32]

Now I might be unfair here since this video is the most experience I have with this story (both the book and movie version) but I can't really get behind the way the story chooses to portray it's message. I agree with the message itself, free will is important and all that but the way the story goes about delivering this message is just...ugh. A villian protagonist only really works if either A. You're playing it up for comedy (Something like Invader Zim would probably be the best example) or B. The protagonist is facing off against an either bigger threat. This story obviously isn't going for A and if it's trying to go for B then it failed in spectacular fashion. The "Ludivico Technique" actually sounds like a good thing since throughout the story up to that point you've been following a murderer and rapist who's only doing the things he's doing because he's an asshole. As far as we're told in the story (feel free to correct me if I'm wrong) it's only being used on convicted criminals. They're not being brainwashed at birth or anything. Alex had decided of his own free will to become a menace to society. I don't give a shit if he can't listen to his classical music or was attacked by the very people who's lives he ruined beforehand. Then at the end of the story he just becomes a better person? Everything he did was just a phase? He deserves a good life now I guess. Yeah that's...satisfying. I get the message but trying to frame it in a way that makes the murderer/rapist a victim is probably the worst way to go about it in my opinion.

[@mitter352]

You've completely missed the point

[@Fatboyftw32]

Dominic Smith Then mind telling me what the point is so I can understand this classic story. Don't just tell me I'm wrong and then walk away from the conversation. I'm totally open to anything you've got to say about this story and my opinion of it.

[@mitter352]

+Fatboyftw32 there's nothing I can say that this video or decades of analytical writing haven't already said more eloquently than I ever could. If you didn't get the message out of this short and concise video I didn't see much of a point in myself trying. The knowledge is out there I don't feel like feel the need to educate you because 1. I wouldn't do it much justice. And 2. I'm lazy. I am however, not lazy enough to read your comment and recognize from it (especially your opinion on "villain protagonists" that you've missed the point. Actually reading the book or at the very least watching the movie might be a good start

[@JS-uk7du]

+ur dad "I am the authority on this subject matter" he says "oh you're calling me out on it eh, let me type a long winded explanation of how im too lazy to explain the eloquence of decades of analytical writtens I for one know all about" Would the point be that free will is more important that being mind controlled robots, even if free will will sometimes lead people to do bad things. Even if those bad things are as heinous the main characters actions.

[@Fatboyftw32]

A llias But we never really see the bad side of the Ludivico Technique like I said earlier (and once again feel free to correct me if I'm wrong) it's only being used on convicted criminals who have already proven to be a menace to society. It's just weird to advocate the message of free will by writing a story where a lot of terrible shit happened because the main character (a character that we are at one point apparently supposed to sympathize with) had free will. Like I said I totally agree with the message itself, just not the way the message was portrayed. Like I said in my first comment though I'm probably missing something since I haven't actually experienced the story for myself. P.S. Thanks for actually trying to help me understand the story rather than just telling me I'm wrong without actually backing up your statement like the other guy.

[@AriesVirgoLeo]

Awesome video! Nice references to the book. The milk at the end was nice touch.

[@AlliWalker]

Pfft I liked the original ending, you can be wrong about this one.

[@Agalin920]

Great summary, first video I watch of yours and im definitely subscribing. Great work

[@commanderrolex1511]

what does milk have to do with this?

[@amx9122]

I know right, that was odd lol he ran out of booze

[@Yolligraphone]

+Commander Rolex It's a reference to the Milk Bar.

[@commanderrolex1511]

AngryRantingNerd ?

[@Yolligraphone]

Commander Rolex Read the book or see the film and you'll understand.

[@coltonrogers6055]

+Commander Rolex they drink milk at a bar in the book and movie.

[@skrock91]

I liked the showing a picture of Nietzsche while saying philosophers always coming up with new ways to call things good and bad.

[@darkbunglex]

I am deeply offended at this guy pretending to be a thug. I don't mind him doing it but he does it while black, which is pushing the stereotype that all black folk with casual cloths are thugs! To this guy, a black man in a chain and bandana equals a thug which is particularly offensive at this time in society with all the race issues. I suggest the next time he impersonates a thug he does it as a white guy or an Asian guy to fight the stereotypes. Oh and if you are one of these people claiming he can't change his skin colour then you are part of the problem. You are telling black people they are incapable and they won't be successful so don't even try. I say all people are equal and he can be black, white or anywhere in between if he just puts in the work. (NB: this is just a joke comment, so don't freak out you SJW's out there)

[@HausOfSoare]

+DarkBungleX rofl

[@HausOfSoare]

+DarkBungleX rofl

[@umbrella0326]

Absolutely incredible analysis. Love this. Makes me want Beethoven. Or DMX.

[@householdrecordings]

Best channel, hands down.

[@davidfirth6325]

So im bored and was looking for something else to watch. Then i saw a "thug notes" and watched this as my 1st vid. You now have another dedicated viewer cuz this was the funniest shit iv seen in a while!

[@joerosati3309]

Very well done, love all of you guys at wisecrack

[@TheTagkaman]

Great video as usual man. Keep it up!

[@jay_thechill4202]

I love thug notes.

[@elljenelle613]

One of your better reviews Professor! Probably the only time we'll hear you say "Go watch the movie!"

[@Dragonwing16]

i never actually thought about the title, ever really i was always so caught up in the rest of the analysis. But it's all so clear now

[@mtrps_]

Dragonwing16 plus "Orange" is a play on the word "Orang" which means "man" in the Malay language. Which Burgess is fluent in, since he once lived in the Malay archipelago as part of the British Colonial Service

[@normanbueno9570]

Fantastic channel, I am hooked! Not only do I reacquaint myself with literary works long read but eventually forgotten, I also get myself introduce to new ones which should be allotted time to be read. Plus, I get to learn "homie" or colloquial Afro-American language or "speak" and actually appreciate it.

[@StevenRecknagelMusic]

I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS!!!!! THANK YOU!

[@artkoenig9434]

Very nicely done. I especially enjoyed your take on "the doubleness of the deed" regarding good vs. evil. If people aren't thinking by the time they finish this video, they just can't.

[@psuedomyspace]

Jokes aside, this is the best summary of A Clockwork Orange ever to exist.

[@rejanepierre]

OMG this is amazing. Clockwork is one of my favourites and now I can send this to friends who don't quite understand why...

[@tsubasangel343]

"this ending sucks...go watch the movie" laughed my arse off XD

[@kaleahcollins4567]

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE BRING THIS BACK ITS NEEDED HE HAS WAAAY MORE BOOKS TO DO

[@SammySloMo]

I would love a review of either The Three Musketeers or Don Quixote. Btw, best channel on KZbin ;)

[@AshleyRivera]

so happy i found this channel

[@PossumMedic]

Oh my god your videos are gold! Pure gold! :D I was so surprised to see how differently the book ended than the movie. I guess it was more entertaining but felt it completely missed the point of the book.

[@redvillain6]

Read this for my British Literature class. Damn good summary and analysis right here. Better than what I could've coked up.

[@nikitapardis2739]

Best analysis of the movie so far

[@esperanz02]

The title finally makes sense to me. Thanks, Wisecrack!