Alex is a fictional character, the narrator and antihero of Anthony Burgess' novel A Clockwork Orange and the movie adaptation, in which he is played by Malcolm McDowell.
Character overview
In the novel, the character has no surname. However, in a context where he is making love to two schoolgirls at the same time, he refers to himself as "Alexander, the Large". In the film, Alex claims that his surname is DeLarge only in the scene during which he arrives in prison and passes through a long identification procedure (a scene not present in the original novel). Still, later on in the film, we see several newspaper clippings (showing Alex returning to society after being subjected to the Ludovico treatment) where his name is printed as Alex Burgess, in a clear reference to the novel's author, Anthony Burgess.
Alex DeLarge, as played by McDowell, was named the 12th greatest movie villain of all time in the American Film Institute's 100 Years... 100 Heroes & Villains. The character was named the 36th greatest villain in the Wizard Magazine #177 feature "100 Greatest Villains of All Time".
Alex is portrayed as a sociopath who robs, rapes, and ultimately murders without a twinge of conscience. Intellectually, he knows that this sort of behavior is wrong. However, he says that "you can't have a society with everybody behaving in my manner of the night." In addition, he professes to be somewhat puzzled by the motivations of those who wish to reform him and others like him, saying that he would never interfere with their desire to be good; it's just that he "goes to the other shop."
He speaks Nadsat, a teenage slang created by author Anthony Burgess. The language is based on English and Russian words, and also borrows from bits of Romany speech, the Bible and schoolboy colloquialisms. He likes milk spiked with various stimulants ("milk plus") or hallucinogens ("synthemesc"). The book goes into much greater detail about the nature of his drug use, describing how the customers at the Korova Milk Bar go away "into the Land." Alex is very fond of classical music, particularly Beethoven, or, as he calls him, "lovely lovely Ludwig Van." While listening to this music, he fantasizes about endless rampages of torture and slaughter to the point of orgasm.
Novel and film biography
At the beginning of the novel, Alex is 15 years old and already a veteran of several stays in institutions for juvenile delinquents. In the film, to minimize controversy, Alex is portrayed as somewhat older around 17 or 18. He lives with his parents in a bleak, poorly-maintained and heavily-vandalized tower block #18a in an unnamed English city in the near-future.
He is the leader of a gang of Droogs; Pete, Georgie, and Dim. Although the youngest of the foursome, he is clearly the most intelligent and fearless, and the one who comes up with most of the ideas. Georgie, who resents his high-handed ways, sets him up to be caught at the site of one of the gang's crimes, and he is sent to prison for murder. Pete is portrayed as a loner, Dim as the dumb one ("Dim being really Dim," Alex explains in the book), and Georgie as his lieutenant and erstwhile rival.
Alex is sentenced to "14 years in Staja 84F," "Staja" being the abbreviation for "State Jail." Not following the convict code of ethics, he betrays a fellow prisoner's escape plans to the prison chaplain, knowing that he will report it to the warden. He curries the chaplain's favor by reading the Bible (using it to fantasize about being one of the crueler Roman emperors, or one of the soldiers who tortured Jesus). He is selected for the "Ludovico Treatment" after he and his cell-mates stomp an obnoxious fellow prisoner to death and he incurs all the blame.
The treatment, a form of aversion therapy, involves injecting him with a drug that makes him violently ill, and then showing him films of rape and violence — which will result in him becoming sick at the thought of hurting anyone. While being forced to watch footage from a Nazi concentration camp, Alex notices the soundtrack; his favorite music, Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. Since he associates Beethoven's Ninth Symphony with violence he similarly gets sick when listening to that particular symphony. The doctor says it "can't be helped, an unfortunate side effect, I suppose?" and reveals that Alex will be unable to hear the music of Beethoven again.
After the Ludovico treatment, Alex's sentence is commuted to time served and he is released. However, he learns that the treatment worked too well: he can't defend himself even when necessary. Upon returning home, he is rejected by his parents, who have rented out his room and turned over his belongings to the police pursuant to a new law compensating victims. In the film version, he is then nearly beaten to death by a homeless man he had victimized before going to prison. When two policemen break it up, they turn out to be none other than Dim, his former associate, and Billy Boy, the former leader of a rival gang — who brutalize him further and leave him to die.
Disoriented with pain, Alex stumbles to the nearest house, pleading for help. The owner, a wheelchair-bound writer whom the government calls a subversive, recognizes Alex from the newspapers and wants to help him. Alex recognizes the writer as well; as a man he and his friends had once beaten nearly to death (hence his paralysis) and forced to watch as they raped his wife (who later died of an illness possibly brought on by the assault). The writer doesn't make the connection at first and treats him well. Eventually the writer overhears Alex in the bath singing the song Singin' in the Rain, which he had been singing when had mercilessly kicked the writer. In the book, the writer realizes who he is dealing with when he says "I thought you didn't have a phone," remembering his wife's excuse for not letting him in the house.
Seeking revenge, the writer drugs Alex, locks him in a room, and forces him to listen to the Ninth Symphony, the effects of which Alex had mentioned in conversation. Wracked with pain, Alex tries to commit suicide by jumping out the window; only to awake in a hospital, where the effects of the treatment are wearing off. His parents arrive to welcome him back home, and the Minister of the Interior — smarting from the bad publicity Alex's case has brought — offers him a government job. In the film and the United States edition of the book, Alex becomes his old ultraviolent self again, thinking sarcastically: "I was cured all right", seconds before his brain buckles due to the neural surgery he recalls as recurrent dreams. The final chapter of the British edition of A Clockwork Orange shows Alex, at the age of 18, in his government job at the National Record Library, growing out of his sociopathy and daydreaming about starting a family.
OUR WORLD FAMOUS SERIAL KILLER MERCHANDISE : Scroll down to see the many true crime and serial killer products that we sell. Click on any item that is currently available to view more details or purchase an item. If you are interested in buying items in bulk, please contact us for information and wholesale prices. Our products have been featured in the Boston Globe, Penthouse Magazine, Fox News and newspapers/magazines around the world. Many of our items are also in the private collection of many celebrities (Bill Moseley, Sid Haig, Joe Coleman and Lloyd Kaufman just to name a few). We are always adding new items so check back often for more morbid merchandise. There are less than 500 2007 Serial Killer Calendars left, and we do not expect these to last long.
SERIES 1 OF THE NEW SERIAL KILLER TRADING CARDS
After almost a full year of designing , we are pleased to announce the new SERIAL KILLER TRADING CARDS! This set includes 25 high quality trading cards featuring the artwork of Nico Claux, Jack Malebranche, Chuck Hodi, Johnny Machine, Mark Stinson, Gerard Torbitt, Mike Henderson, and more! These cards are sure to be an instant collectors item so get yours now before they are sold out!
PRICE : $25
SERIES 2 OF THE NEW SERIAL KILLER TRADING CARDS
After almost a full year of designing , we are pleased to announce the new SERIAL KILLER TRADING CARDS! This set includes 25 high quality trading cards featuring the artwork of Nico Claux, Jack Malebranche, Chuck Hodi, Johnny Machine, Mark Stinson, Gerard Torbitt, Mike Henderson, and more! These cards are sure to be an instant collectors item so get yours now before they are sold out!
PRICE : $25
SERIES 3 OF THE NEW SERIAL KILLER TRADING CARDS
After almost a full year of designing , we are pleased to announce the new SERIAL KILLER TRADING CARDS! This set includes 25 high quality trading cards featuring the artwork of Nico Claux, Jack Malebranche, Chuck Hodi, Johnny Machine, Mark Stinson, Gerard Torbitt, Mike Henderson, and more! These cards are sure to be an instant collectors item so get yours now before they are sold out!
PRICE : $25
COMPLETE SET OF ALL 75 SERIAL KILLER TRADING CARDS
After almost a full year of designing , we are pleased to announce the new SERIAL KILLER TRADING CARDS! This set includes all 75 high quality trading cards featuring the artwork of Nico Claux, Jack Malebranche, Chuck Hodi, Johnny Machine, Mark Stinson, Gerard Torbitt, Mike Henderson, and more!
PRICE : $75
THE RARE 2007 SERIAL KILLER CALENDAR
The 2007 Serial Killer Calendar features the dark art of Nico Claux (the "Vampire of Paris"). This serial killer collectors item has been featured in magazine and newspapers around the world. There are now less than 400 Serial Killer Calendars left for sale. When these are gone, you will not be able to buy them anywhere. Click the image to the left for more details.
PRICE : $20
THE NEW & IMPROVED 2008 SERIAL KILLER CALENDAR
Here it is folks. The brand new 2008 Serial Killer Calendar. This new edition is twice as big as the 2007 and contains artwork from Nico Claux and seven new dark artists. You can pre-order your copy today. These editions are extremely limited so get yours before they are gone forever.
PRICE : $25
SERIAL KILLER WALL POSTER
The giant Nico Claux wall poster is the ONLY serial killer poster in the world. This movie size poster features paintings of nine of Nico's most well known killers. This poster will only be printed once and supplies are quickly running out. When these are gone, you will not be able to buy them anywhere.
PRICE : $25
COMPLETE SET OF ALL 12 JOHNNY MACHINE PRINTS
These 8X10, high quality prints by Johnny Machine include all artwork from his amazing "The Murderers" Collection. These include images of Fish, Gein, Dahmer, Bundy, Gacy, and many more! These prints are of the highest quality and are perfect for framing. This is a nice addition to any true collectors art gallery.
PRICE : $20
MARK STINSON SERIAL KILLER CLOCK
This amazing wall clock features the artwork of Mark Stinson (from Void Pulp Press). The clock displays a collection of Marks most stunning serial killer artwork (including Andrei Chikatilo, H.H. Holmes, Richard Ramirez, Albert Fish, John Wayne Gacy, David Berkowitz and Ted Bundy).
Price : $35
ALBERT FISH WALL CLOCK
This amazing wall clock features two chilling paintings of the child eating monster. The painting in the foreground is done by Nico Claux (otherwise known as the Vampire of Paris) while the full-body background painting was done by our newest artist, Johnny Machine).
Price : $35
JOHN WAYNE GACY WALL CLOCK
This amazing wall clock features the best painting of John Wayne gacy (the killer clown) we have ever seen. This painting was created for us by the talented Johnny Machine. Gacy became notorious as the "Killer Clown" because dressedin a clown suit and makeup, under the name of "Pogo the Clown."
Price : $35
CARL PANZRAM WALL CLOCK
This wall clock features Carl Panzram. This amazing painting was created for us by the talented Chuck Hodi. Carl Panzram (June 28, 1891 – September 5, 1930) was an American serial killer. While imprisoned, Panzram wrote an articulate autobiography about his life and his descent into crime.
Price : $35
TED BUNDY WALL CLOCK
This amazing wall clock features the best painting of Ted Bundy we have ever seen. This painting was created for us by the talented Johnny Machine. Theodore Robert 'Ted' Bundy (November 24, 1946 – January 24, 1989) was one of the most infamous serial killers in U.S. history.
Price : $35
ED GEIN WALL CLOCK WITH FOUR PAINTINGS
This wall clock features four seperate paintings of the cannibal Ed Gein. This artwork was created by Johnny Machine, Chuck Hodi and Gerard Torbitt. Edward Theodore Gein (August 27, 1906 – July 26, 1984), was an American serial killer.
Price : $35
DENNIS RADER (THE BTK KILLER) WALL CLOCK
This wall clock features Dennis Rader (The BTK killer). This amazing painting was created for us by the talented Chuck Hodi. Dennis Lynn Rader (born March 9, 1945) is an American serial killer who murdered at least 10 people in Sedgwick County (in and around Wichita), Kansas, between 1974 and 1991.
Price : $35
DAVID BERKOWITZ (SON OF SAM) WALL CLOCK
This wall clock features David Berkowitz (The Son of Sam). This artwork was created by the talented Johnny Machine. David Richard Berkowitz (Born: June 1, 1953), better known by his nickname Son of Sam, is an American serial killer who confessed to killing six people.
Price : $35
RICHARD RAMIREZ WALL CLOCK
This wall clock features Richard Ramirez (The Nightstalker). This artwork was created by the talented Johnny Machine and Chuck Hodi. Ricardo "Richard" Muñoz Ramirez (born February 29, 1960 in El Paso, Texas) is a convicted serial killer awaiting execution in California.
Price : $35
JEFFREY DAHMER WALL CLOCK
This wall clock features Jeffrey Dahmer. This amazing painting was created for us by the talented Gerard Torbitt. Jeffrey Lionel Dahmer was an American serial killer. He murdered at least 17 men and boys between 1978 and 1991 (with the majority of the murders occurring between 1989 and 1991).
Price : $35
GERARD TORBITT'S ALBERT FISH WALL CLOCK
This wall clock features Albert Fish. This amazing painting was created for us by the talented Gerard Torbitt. Albert Hamilton Fish (May 19, 1870 – January 16, 1936) was an American serial killer and cannibal. He was also known as the Gray Man, the Werewolf of Wysteria and possibly the Brooklyn Vampire.
Price : $35
SERIAL KILLER STICKERS SET
This set of 30 high y quality stickers by Mark Stinson (head of Void Pulp Press) include Albert Fish (with dinner plate), Ted Bundy (with VW Bug) and Richard Ramirez (with pentagram). We will be releasing new sets all year so check back soon. Not all stickers will be reprinted so you will want to buy each set to have a complete collection.
PRICE : $15
SERIAL KILLER TEESHIRTS
These shirts are now available but supplies are very limited. Use the buy now buttons below to purchase the black Nico Claux Tee Shirt. This shirt features eight of Nico's most famous paintings (Ted Bundy, Albert Fish, John Wayne Gacy, Jeffrey Dahmer, Richard Ramirez, David Berkowitz, Charles Manson and Ed Gein). The shirts come in four sizes.
THE ONE OF A KIND SERIAL KILLER ACTION FIGURES
This rare collection of serial killer action figure are all hand crafted by artist David Johnson. Each figure is six inches tall, hand cast in resin and comes mint in packaging. Currently we are selling the Jeffrey Dahmer action figure, the Ed Gein action figure and the OJ Simpson action figure. These are truly a very rare collectors items and are very limited so get yours before they are gone forever.
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THE SERIAL KILLER CALENDAR STREET TEAM
Do you want Serialkillercalendar.com to continue producing the best morbid merchandise on the internet? Then help us spread the good word of gore by becoming part of our massive Street Team members. What is a street team? Street Team members post links to our site on blogs, message boards, websites and get our message to the masses. Thanks to our street team, serialkillercalendar.com is now a household name. So grab your street team badge on the left and read below for some things you could do to help us take over the world... uhhh... I mean, to help us advertise. Yeah, that's what I meant.
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Legally speaking we would never encourage our street team members to " Spray Paint SerialKillerCalendar.com on the side of their local court house " or " create millions of SerialKillerCalendar.com stickers and stick them on local cop cars. " This would be wrong. Of course, if you do help us advertise in a unconventional way, we would love to see the photos of it.
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Thanks again to all our wonderful street team crew and keep up the good work. If you have any questions, comments or ideas for new street team projects, contact James Gilks at madhatterdesign@gmail.com
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