In Anthony Burgess's "A Clockwork Orange," the narrative explores the concept of free will versus the deterministic good enforced by societal structures. The protagonist, Alex, embodies the struggle of choosing between the inherent evil of his actions and the societal forces that dictate moral behavior. The question raised challenges whether the choice of evil through free will is more significant than the imposed goodness that is devoid of personal choice.
The story provokes thought on the nature of morality and individual agency. It emphasizes that true moral choice requires the ability to choose between good and evil. Without the freedom to choose, any good becomes an enforced action rather than a genuine moral decision, thus sparking an important dialogue on the relationship between free will and morality in human society.