Dissecting a Clockwork Orange free essay sample

Kubricks use of implied violence, death and cultural estruction throw the viewer into a hellish, emotional marsh of pessimism and hate. Reviewed by Tim Dirks the title of the film is explained: The controversial films title and other names in the film have meaning. The title alludes to: a clockwork (mechanical, artificial, robotic) human being. Orange similar to orangutan, a hairy ape-like creature, and the Cockney phrase from East London, as queer as a clockwork orange indicating something bizarre internally, but appearing natural, human, and normal on the surface This film plays with violence in an intellectually seductive way. Its done in such a slow, heavy style that those prepared to like it, can treat its puzzling aspects as insightful. Yet were complicit in the violence as Alex (Malcolm McDowell) narrates the story to us as if we are his friends, the only ones he can open up to. We will write a custom essay sample on Dissecting a Clockwork Orange or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Alex enjoys stealing, stomping, raping, and destroying until he kills a woman and is sent to prison for fourteen years. It is in this that the violence becomes sanitized (after two years of imprisonment), that we dont necessarily feel guilty, or pity the victims of Alexs senseless crimes. Kubrick isnt telling us that violence is okay. Hes telling the viewer that masculinity is a broken concept. The violence is an indication of pent-up sexual frustration, delivered callously and cowardly to anyone that gets in the way. Alex Jack, in his essay on Kubrick commented that the director flaunted the idea that masculinity is a sick idealized myth. This is interesting because of the phallic symbols, rape and mother theme A Clockwork Orange plays around with. Here, sex and violence are not two essentially seperate entities that Just so happen occur at the same time: sex equals violence, and this relates to the very opposing view that Kubrick was a misogynist. The film can easily be interpreted as an ambiguous mystery play, a visionary warning against the Establishment if it were in society. There are a many ways to Justify identifying with Alex: Alex is fighting repression; hes alone against the system. What he does isnt nearly as bad as what the government does (both in the movie and in most current governments). Why shouldnt he be violent? Thats all the Establishment has ever taught him (and us) to be. The point of the book was that we must be as men, that we must be able to take responsibility for what we are. The point of the movie is much more aware of what is oing on in society. And this is key concept. Before he is caught by the cops, Alex perpetrates four separate violent acts. Only one of which is morally Justified. This is the second episode where Alex and his Droogs confront another Juvenile gang getting ready to gang rape a girl. Rescue has nothing to do with it. He fights because in the rain, which is the key scene to illustrate the violence and Alex being portrayed as the alpha-male. The reason for the fascination and the revulsion: Alex likes violence. So do we. Thats it. But whatever social controls are instilled in most of us are absent in Alex. He enjoys violence; either sexual or otherwise. Theres a complete absence of empathy. We usually watch violent movies without any moral uneasiness precisely because the story sets up a situation in which the hero is compelled to act violently for the greater good. This excuses us the bad feeling in enjoying bloodshed. A Clockwork Orange does not give us this out. Our heros all charm but no virtue. Hes cool, but hes no good guy. He goes around inflicting damage and we enjoy watching it. At the same time, aware that everything thats happening is bad, we feel profoundly guilty. The paradox of A Clockwork Orange in respect to the standard iolent movie is that it does not let our bloodlust off the hook. We cant pretend its anything else. Alex, appeased by the government with a good Job (interesting comment on political morality) is presented with massive speakers blaring the Ninth Symphonys final bars. Alex imagines what many critics have mistakenly called a rape scene. The scene is not rape or even violent. It depicts Alex having sex with a girl on top. Shes definitely in control. A social circle resembling a wedding party is looking at them in applause. This scene seems to signify that Alex has been civilized after all. His sexual instincts are re-instated but they are socially adjusted. Perhaps Kubricks suggesting that old chestnut marriage: the solution to male aggression. There is an obsession with sex that permeates throughout the movie. Whether its Alex raping somebody, having consensual sex, thinking about sex, or being in a situation where sex is alluded to (the bar with the erotic, female shaped tables; his home with penis graffiti on the wall; the nurse and doctor at the hospital; the murder weapon at the womans house), the idea that it is a motivation in art, in crime, in society, is constantly portrayed. This motivation is male dominated. Women are the ultimate harbingers of sexual desire, and it is only them who can suppress it. But Kubrick mocks the viewer for thinking the film is about male dominance. As for when the Droogs return to feed on mothers milk back at the bar the drinks are poured from a breast-shaped pourer asserting motherhood and female dominance. Choice is a major aspect of the film because the male characters are seen to enforce this idea of masculinity, but Kubrick sees this as ambiguous. The psychiatrists in A Clockwork Orange take away Alexs freedom of choice through psychological manipulation, and herefore strip him of his own self worth. Choice is a freedom Alex is born with, but by being brought up in this society he has been conditioned and nurtured to think only one way.