In "A Clockwork Orange," Anthony Burgess explores the concept of free will and morality, questioning whether external techniques can truly instill goodness within an individual. He posits that true greatness and moral character originate from an internal source, suggesting that it is the individual's ability to choose to be good that defines their humanity.

Burgess emphasizes that when a person is stripped of their capacity to make choices, they lose their essence as a human being. The ability to choose between good and evil is central to what it means to be human, highlighting the importance of personal agency in the pursuit of moral integrity.