In "A Clockwork Orange," Anthony Burgess presents a perspective on justice that challenges the philosophy of punishment. The narrator argues for a retaliatory approach, suggesting that if individuals inflict harm, they should face equal repercussions. This viewpoint emphasizes a direct, eye-for-an-eye response, reflecting a belief in retributive justice where the state mirrors the violence of offenders by punishing them severely.

However, the author critiques the modern inclination to reform wrongdoers and transform their malicious actions into something positive. He finds this perspective deeply flawed and unfair, as it overlooks the necessity of consequences for those who commit acts of violence, undermining the instinct for justice that advocates for balance and retribution.