Shawshank Redemption Symbolism

Frank Darabont’s film The Shawshank Redemption follows central character, Andy Dufrane who is wrongfully convicted of murder. Throughout the film, set in a corrupt prison, Andy transforms from a shy introvert to the legend of Shawshank. Dufrane uses his determination to uphold his sense of self-worth to give a sense of freedom and hope to other inmates. The filming techniques, characters and potent symbolism are used to build the central themes within the film.

Darabont incorporates the use of symbolism, such as the rocks, beer and posters to construct the theme of normality and hope. Shawshank itself is all about hope and the lack of it. This passive emotion being what drives the inmates at Shawshank and gives them the will to live. The character of Andy Dufrane and his pure determination to uphold his own sense of self-worth and conviction, keeps him from dying of frustration from prison life. For instance, the rocks Dufrane sculpts serve as a distraction from daily prison life. The continuation of this hobby gives him a sense of normality and control over his life, which is a quality many inmates

The prison is a hole of greed, bribery and money laundering. Dufrane’s time in prison made him understand that the evil is not within the prisoners, but the prison warden and staff. Film techniques convey their authority through low-angled shots to portray inmates as ‘overpowered’. As Dufrane became a useful asset in the Warden’s money laundering scheme, he abuses his power to keep Dufrane in prison. The scene, in which Tommy is murdered for explaining Dufrane’s innocence, conveys that the warden is fearful of his secret being revealed, thereby making decisions for his own benefit. The contrast of light and dark upon the Warden in this scene also reveals the evil. The Warden hides his embezzled funds in a wall safe in his office, covered by an embroidered