Treatment Scene

The spectator’s acceptance and involvement in Alex’s attacks later leads us being punished alongside Alex when he is exposed to his “treatment”. When Alex begins the treatment, he talks about how he is enjoying the films being shown to him and we, the spectator, can also see these films and be entertained by them in the same way we were earlier in the film. However when Alex begins to feel sick and uncomfortable, we are only shown images of Alex strapped to the machine in discomfort. There is metal holding his eyes open and he begins to feel sick. It is uncomfortable for the spectator to watch, much how the films Alex is watching are uncomfortable for him. Alex is being punished for his crimes and the pleasure he was taking in them and the spectator is being punished alongside him for giving their alliegence to him and enjoying these things with him. We are not allowed to see the violence or sexual acts that entertained us earlier, we now instead have to watch the “hero” of the film in pain and discomfort as a punishment for our involvement earlier.

When Alex is later presented as cured, we are still being punished. The violence  that Alex is exposed to on stage no longer gives us entertainment and pleasure because it is being committed against Alex and it is uncomfortable to watch. We no longer feel the same things we felt watching these acts committed by Alex earlier.