It seems priggish or pollyannaish to deny that my intention in writing the work was to titillate the nastier propensities of my readers. My own healthy inheritance of original sin comes out in the book and I enjoyed raping and ripping by proxy. It is the novelist's innate cowardice that makes him depute to imaginary personalities the sins that he is too cautious to commit for himself.
In "A Clockwork Orange," Anthony Burgess acknowledges the provocative nature of his writing, admitting that he aimed to engage the darker desires of his audience. He embraces his own flawed human nature, suggesting that the exploration of morally questionable themes serves as a form of vicarious thrill for readers, allowing them to confront their inner impulses through fiction.
Burgess reflects on the role of the novelist, suggesting that writers often project their hidden sins onto fictional characters instead of facing them directly. This tendency reveals a reluctance to engage with their own moral complexities, making storytelling a shield against personal accountability. Ultimately, the work invites readers to grapple with their own understanding of good and evil.
