10 Not So Obvious Messages With Deeper Meanings In Stanley Kubrick's Films

Something you may have noticed about A Clockwork Orange is the constant use of pyramids or triangle shapes in the set design, to illustrate hierarchy. You may have also spotted the trend of eyes as a symbol of power.

In the very first scene, we are shown a close up of Alex’s face, one eye adorned with makeup, and as we zoom out from his piercing gaze and get a view of the rest of the Korova Milk-bar, there are models of naked women, triangular shaped, almost bent into unnatural positions, indicating that in this psychedelic dystopian world, women are men’s subordinates.

In the first half of the film, the pyramids are an indication of Alex’s power, but as he loses that, Kubrick cleverly uses the pyramid to show Alex is no longer at the top of the pecking order. The system, prison and Ludovico treatment he has to undergo, are hierarchies above him and the pyramidal prison and triangular treatment centre are reflections of this change in power. Finally, we see Alex’s attempt at committing suicide by jumping from a triangular shaped house. In one fell swoop he literally and metaphorically falls from the top to the bottom of the hierarchy, hits his head and ironically ends up with some power once again. The famous poster you have no doubt seen for the film, showing Alex within layers of triangles, sums it up succinctly.