A clockwork orange

A CLOCKWORK ORANGE


In the book, "A Clockwork Orange," by Anthony Burgess, there are two different published versions that have provoked a considerable amount of controversy amongst readers and critics. The difference between these two versions is in the endings. The first ending offers a more suitable, more appropriate ending. The second ending takes a profound turn from the main themes that the book revolves around. This is the most important reason why the novel seems to be more complete without the last chapter. Throughout the book, the main character Alex goes through various phases and transitions; first his transition from "evil" too good, and then his transition back. Chapter twenty thoroughly finishes off the book with a suitably consistent ending. This is the main difference between the two endings that entirely change the book, and its outcome.

The chapter twenty-one ending completely changes the reader’s view of Alex. It seems as though the book i...