The importance of spiritual freedom revealed in A Clockwork OrangeAnthony Burgess is one of the greatest British writers of the 20th century. His masterpiece, A Clockwork Orange, is unrivaled in depth, insight and innovation. The novel is a work of high quality, almost perfect. The main theme of the novel deals with free choice and spiritual freedom. Specifically, "[The ethical promise that 'A man who cannot choose ceases to be man'] can be seen as both the explicit and implicit theme of the novel" (Morgan 104). Anthony Burgess expresses his view that no matter how "good" one's actions are, unless one has a free moral choice, he is spiritually damned. The novel revolves around a criminal-minded teenager, Alex, whose world consists of rape, murder, and ruthless violence. . Alex is eventually trapped by his "droogs" (friends) and is arrested and imprisoned. After some time in prison, Alex is placed in a new rehabilitation program that uses electroshock therapy, new medications, and exposure to violent films. The program shatters everything Alex holds dear and gives him a new artificial consciousness. This part of the novel "presents the reader with a new, reformed Alex, an Alex without free will or freedom of choice, an Alex who has become a victim" (Magill's Critical Survey of World Lit. 293). Burgess views this lack of freedom as spiritually murderous and terribly bad. Burgess knows that it is better to choose to be bad than to be forced to be good. Alex is tormented by his new state of oppression. is good. Alex is then taken under the wing of a writer who fights against the oppressive government. The writer widely publicizes the oppressive rehabilitation that the state has imposed on Alex. , so much so that he even attempts suicide While Alex is in the hospital following his suicide attempt, the tragedy of his oppression is widely publicized, in an attempt to stop public criticism. State. "Alex repaired." He has freedom of choice again. Through this series of events, Burgess shows another one of his beliefs. “Spiritual death” can also be seen in the broader context of a political or philosophical sterility which afflicts entire countries given over to a totalitarian vision of life. " (Ten 27).