Does “A Clockwork Orange” glorify violence, or condemn it?
I think the book was intended to create some negative reactions, not just to the violence, but the overall depravity of the society it portrays. But it a satire, and the picture it offers is purposely exaggerated and even absurd, and is not meant to be a realistic portrait of a world. The movie comes closer to glorifying violence, partly because it is a movie. Actually displaying the actions that are just described in the book brings the violence closer, and simultaneously encases it in a frame, as it were, so it feels safer and less disruptive. And Kubrick’s style cool, distant style creates additional insulation for the viewer. But it is still quite upsetting, and purposely so. I would say the movie is not intended to glorify violence, but may have that effect in some limited ways. Certainly it does not glorify violence like the “Rambo” movies, the “Lethal Weapon” movies, “Commando,” “The Punisher,” etc., or even “24” with its carefully justified torture scenes and apparently soulles
