Dr Strangelove Analysis
Why do values dictate society? How are they created? And by what means are they challenged? Values assert themselves as the framework of history, events and ideas take place in this framework and every so often one will bounce against the walls causing a dint in the frame, a dint that will either be repaired or one that will be left as part of the ever changing structure. Dr Strangelove or How I learnt to stop worrying and love the bomb directed by Stanley Kubrick ventured outside the framework, verbalising the fears of society whilst challenging the dominant paradigms imposed by governments. Strangelove expresses what people dare not mention, visually represents their greatest fear, and challenges the capabilities of Authority figures. Unconventionally
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His fear of nuclear warfare and distrust of the capabilities of Military leaders lead him to consider moving to Sydney as he thought this would be an unlikely target for a nuclear attack. Kubrick’s inspiration for Strangelove came from the Novel red alert by Peter George but he decided that it provided a much too depressing view on the whole ordeal and so, used satire too make his point. He states “A satirist is someone who has a very sceptical view of human nature, but who still has the optimism to make some sort of a joke out of it, however brutal that joke might be.” He believed people of the 1960’s capable of laughing at their own annihilation. Are paradigms merely guidelines to life? Kubrick believed not, stating that “hypocrisy was not some petty human foible, it was the corrupted essence of our …show more content…
Strangelove depicts a scenario where this trust is not only ill deserved but completely abused. How does a mentally deranged General order a strike on Russia? Why do his military superiors not condemn his actions? “Although I hate to judge before the facts are in, it’s beginning to look like General Ripper has acceded his authority” says General Turgison in a somewhat offhand manner whilst he reads from a folder labelled “world targets in mega deaths”. Strangelove distorts the image of strong military leaders creating destruction hungry men who’s ultimate goal is to break the cold war by dropping the nuclear bomb. By creating incompetent generals who are more likely to destroy America than protect it Kubrick effectively subverts the paradigm of
His fear of nuclear warfare and distrust of the capabilities of Military leaders lead him to consider moving to Sydney as he thought this would be an unlikely target for a nuclear attack. Kubrick’s inspiration for Strangelove came from the Novel red alert by Peter George but he decided that it provided a much too depressing view on the whole ordeal and so, used satire too make his point. He states “A satirist is someone who has a very sceptical view of human nature, but who still has the optimism to make some sort of a joke out of it, however brutal that joke might be.” He believed people of the 1960’s capable of laughing at their own annihilation. Are paradigms merely guidelines to life? Kubrick believed not, stating that “hypocrisy was not some petty human foible, it was the corrupted essence of our …show more content…
Strangelove depicts a scenario where this trust is not only ill deserved but completely abused. How does a mentally deranged General order a strike on Russia? Why do his military superiors not condemn his actions? “Although I hate to judge before the facts are in, it’s beginning to look like General Ripper has acceded his authority” says General Turgison in a somewhat offhand manner whilst he reads from a folder labelled “world targets in mega deaths”. Strangelove distorts the image of strong military leaders creating destruction hungry men who’s ultimate goal is to break the cold war by dropping the nuclear bomb. By creating incompetent generals who are more likely to destroy America than protect it Kubrick effectively subverts the paradigm of