Shawshank Redemption Themes Essay

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In the film The Shawshank Redemption, director Frank Darabont uses a variety of filming techniques, characters, and repeated symbolism to build the central themes in the text. The theme of freedom and institutionalisation is explored through the use of symbolism, and by the character Andy DuFresne. Hope and despair are also constructed by Andy DuFresne’s choices, as well as the filming technique of lighting. Lastly the theme of power and powerlessness is enhanced by the use of camera shots, as well as several characters’ knowledge. Darabont employs the use of symbolism, such as walls, water and birds, to construct the theme of institutionalisation and freedom. The character of Andy DuFresne and his choices also juxtapose the two themes. The role of walls in the film symbolises the capture of the prisoners, strongly reinforcing the theme of institutionalisation. The walls are made of concrete and confine the prisoners into a small space that they cannot escape, which emphasises that the inmates are trapped within the institution. In conjunction, the symbol of water is applied to construct the theme of freedom, for example when Andy escapes he ‘crawled through a river of shit and came out clean on the other side’. When he reaches the river, there is a shot of him glorifying his escape whilst standing in the river with the rain pouring down on him. The abundance of water in this scene is used to symbolise that Andy is being cleansed of institutionalisation, and has gained freedom. A similar example of freedom, includes Red saying ‘I have to remind myself that some birds aren’t meant to be caged. Their feathers are just too bright,’ in metaphorical reference to Andy, as the bird symbolises the freedom he possesses and his ability to escape the prison (cage), consequently escaping institutionalisation. In connection with that point, Andy himself is an evident symbol

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