My initially reaction to Clockwork Orange was in a word disturbed, but after watching the whole movie I think it is a film that everyone should watch at least once. It has a clear message that although is thrust in your face is an important one. The topic of violence and sexual abuse is a relevant topic today and I unfortunately feel it will only get worse from here.
While watching A Clockwork Orange(CO) I noticed a lot of connections between CO and A Handmaid’s Tale(HT). First of all the use of physical violence, basically torture, to control the strong willed characters of Moira and Alex. Alex is not only beat up by his old friends when released but is assaulted by the police when he is arrested and even his treatment through negative conditioning is a form of torture. Moira’s attempt to escape in her form of rebellion is also met with violence. Her feet are horribly mutilated for her treachery and she is eventually sent to a whorehouse instead. Where she is further degraded but it is preferably for her as she at least has some freedoms like smoking and talking to the other women. In both stories women are degraded and disrespected, and treated as weak creatures that need male protection and support. Alex’s mother is constantly in tears or depicted as brainless and all the other women are shown being raped or in inferior positions. In HT women have no rights at all and are used as incubators for the offspring of the Commanders. Finally there is also a connection through music. Alex is infatuated with Ludwig van and idolizes him. It is a symbol of his true identity and nature throughout the film. In contrast, Offered only connection to music is the songs that she remembers from her past. Even to hum them quietly out loud is a risk as it is against the law to play such music anymore. Instead of being a symbol of her identity or desires the songs she remembers most often are “Amazing Grace” and “Heartbreak Hotel” both songs speak of being lonely, beaten down and isolated from the world. Even to the point of seeking death as a release from such pain (‘ so lonely I could die.’) They represent her present circumstances and her wish for some escape.
Overall I think Alex is the better anti-hero as he is truly evil in nature but as an audience we are still able to find compassion for his situation. Offred although I feel remorse and disgust for her circumstances, is not evil in or ‘anti’ in anyway. Her biggest indiscretion is following her heart and sleeping with Luc, a married man, and later Nick to feel connected to anyone in the hell she lives in.
