The clockwork orange was written in the 960s which was a prominent time for the phenomenon counterculture which was an anti-establishment movement. Throughout the 960s, teenagers and popular culture at the time provided as a concern for society, with the media terrified of youth anarchy, deregulation and societies perception of loose morals. As the 960s progressed, widespread social tensions also developed, concerning other issues, and tended to flow along generational lines regarding human sexuality, womens rights, traditional modes of authority, experimentation with psychoactive drugs, and differing interpretations of the American Dream. Many key movements related to these issues were born or advanced within the counterculture of the 960s. A lot if not all of these issues and subject matters are tackled in both American psycho and a clockwork orange. Due to the controversial issues, both books caused outrage not just nationwide but worldwide. Counter Culture also marked a new era of scientific possibility, which lead human psychiatrists into hubristic confidence in new methods for example the electric shock therapy Alex encounters in a Clockwork orange, At the time psychiatrists believed that these methods could force people to love, and beha
ve properly- this then would be referenced in Alexs constant pondering of the choice of morality.
Although both American psycho and a clockwork orange contain very similar subject matters that shocked readers and critics alike, they were published 20 years apart when culture was very different. A clockwork orange was published in 962 and American psycho was published in 99, a completely different social climate. The 960s as previously mentioned was the birth of counter culture ad led to major social change and revolution throughout the decades, but the 990s was popular with subcultures and the birth of different groups and social change that hasnt been seen as clearly since. This is frequently referenced in American psycho with the clear differences between social classes and the importance the Patrick Bateman puts on social class and the worth he places on this. This could be a form of social commentary on the consumerist society in America at the time, the men in jobs such as Patrick Batemans at the time were often thought to disregard morals for wealth and further career opportunities. This is evident in the clear reinforcement of social class throughout American psycho and reflects the economic and social climate throughout 990s America.