The twenty-first chapter gives the novel the quality of genuine fiction, an art founded on the principle that human beings change. There is, in fact, not much point in writing a novel unless you can show the possibility of moral transformation, or an increase in wisdom, operating in your chief character or characters. Even trashy bestsellers show people changing. When a fictional work fails to show change, when it merely indicates that human character is set, stony, unregenerable, then you are out of the field of the novel and into that of the fable or the allegory.
The twenty-first chapter of "A Clockwork Orange" signifies the essence of true fiction, emphasizing that characters must evolve over time. The narrative reveals that the central theme of novels lies in depicting the capability for moral growth or increased understanding within characters. Even less prestigious works often illustrate some form of transformation, underscoring its importance in storytelling.
When a story fails to depict any change in its characters, it transitions from the realm of the novel to that of fables or allegories, where human nature is portrayed as unchanging. This highlights a fundamental aspect of literature: the exploration of human capacity for growth and redemption, which is vital for engaging narratives.
