Era and Setting
The Shawshank Redemption is a movie revolving around the life of a banker by the name Andy Dufresne. The plot of this film begins in 1947. This is a clear indication that the film describes the issues and events experienced in America’s postwar era (Marvin & Darabont, 1994). The movie “is set in Maine” (Giblin, 2013, p. 3). However, the Shawshank State Penitentiary “portrayed in the film is the Ohio State Reformatory” (Ulin, 2013, p. 5). The film narrates the story of Andy, who is serving two life sentences for murdering his wife. While in prison, Andy befriends Ellis Redding and manages the prison’s financial duties. Within two decades, Andy manages to dig a hole and eventually escapes to freedom. In a nutshell, the Shawshank Redemption can be described as an educative film about hope, patience, and time.
The Concept of Hope
One of the outstanding concepts in the film is that of hope. The concept is viewed differently by Red and Andy Dufresne. Andy Dufresne is portrayed as an optimistic person from the very start. The decision to secure a rock hammer is the first sign of this kind of hope. After he is released from his confinement, Andy informs Red about his dream. According to him, hope is the most important thing in one’s life. After playing an excerpt from the recording of The Marriage of Figaro, Andy is confined and eventually released. After the release, he informs Red that hope is something that cannot be taken away from his heart. He eventually escapes and travels to his favorite destination in Mexico. On the other hand, Red does not seem to have any hope. His application for parole is rejected twice (Giblin, 2013). He appears to have lost hope completely and dismisses the ideas presented by Andy. However, Red is eventually convinced that hope is the best thing that can support a man’s life forever.
Individuals’ Cultural Backgrounds and Life Experiences
This movie portrays individuals who have diverse cultural backgrounds and life experiences. Similarly, such experiences appear to influence their perceptions of the concept of hope. Andy Dufresne had a successful career before his imprisonment. Having been set in postwar America, the film shows how different people have diverse experiences and expectations in the country. The whites (such as Andy) are optimistic and ready to realize their goals. His career also influenced his perceptions and views positively. The life sentence did not affect his ambitions (Marvin & Darabont, 1994). He was always determined to find new solutions affecting him and eventually realize his potential. This kind of hope is what kept Andy’s dreams alive.
Ellis Redding, on the other hand, is an African American living in a country characterized by racial segregation and discrimination race. Members of this racial group appear to be sidelined in contemporary society. They also lack adequate resources that can transform their lives. This kind of background and experiences must have influenced Red’s acceptance of the concept. According to him, there was no possibility of leaving prison. As a convicted man, Red believed strongly that he had become institutionalized (Giblin, 2013). At the same time, society had already dictated the fate of every minority citizen. These experiences explain why Red found it hard to embrace the idea of hope.
Health and Safety Implications
The film exposes a number of health and safety issues that can affect the outcomes of many inmates. Violence in Shawshank is depicted by the brutality of the Sisters led by Bogs (Marvin & Darabont, 1994). This kind of brutality exposes many people, such as Andy, to unnecessary danger. Most of the inmates are smokers. This malpractice can result in numerous health problems. Safety in the institution is also not taken seriously. The rights of the inmates are not respected. Individuals such as Bogs and Andy are beaten severely by Byron Hadley. The murder of Tommy Williams exposed the safety concerns in Shawshank. Andy is placed in solitary confinement for several days (Ulin, 2013). These practices contributed a lot to the health and safety concerns in the film.
Ethical and Legal Implications
Shawshank can be described as a place of torture, suffering, and corruption. The actions of the Sisters gang should be treated as unethical in nature. Andy is aware of a financial loophole that is capitalized by several guards, such as Byron Hadley (Marvin & Darabont, 1994). The death of Tommy exposes the conspiracies and unethical practices in the penitentiary. Loopholes in the criminal justice system are exposed when Tommy suggests that Andy was innocent. Samuel Norton is portrayed as a corrupt warden who uses prison labor to benefit himself. It is after Andy escapes that every unethical practice associated with the penitentiary is exposed.
Impact and Lesson from the Movie
The Shawshank Redemption has taken a huge impact on me. Obstacles are realities of life and should always be addressed with caution, precision, patience, and hope. I have understood that human life will always be unfair. When we face insurmountable challenges, the best thing is to have hope and use our efforts to emerge successful (Giblin, 2013). I have learned that human beings can achieve the impossible if they remain optimistic and focus on their goals.
References
Giblin, M. (2013). The redeemer: Scene analysis of the Shawshank Redemption.
Marvin, N. (Executive Producer), & Darabont, F. (Director). (1994). The Shawshank redemption [Motion picture]. United States: Castle Rock.
Ulin, D. (2013). From Huckleberry Finn to the Shawshank Redemption: Race and the American imagination in the biracial escape film. European Journal of American Studies, 8(1), 1-12.