Shawshank Redemption use of Symbolism
The 1994 film, The Shawshank Redemption, directed by Frank Darabont, uses recurring symbols to convey the main theme of different types of Freedom. Darabont uses the bible and hammer to convey the idea of freedom and salvation by creating relations to biblical events. He uses the hole to express the idea of a loss of freedom by showing the hopes of Andy being taken away when he is sent to the hole. The hope of freedom that is felt by the inmates is conveyed to the audience through the clever use of music and symbols of music throughout the film.
Frank Darabont conveys the idea of a loss of freedom through his use of “the hole” as a motif. The hole is a place where a prisoner’s limited freedom is taken away from him. For freedom, or the opportunity of freedom, to be taken away it must be first had or able to be obtained. In The Shawshank Redemption there are two instances were Andy is sent to the hole, both result in his freedom being taken away from him. The first instance is where Andy plays a music record over the PA system. The music is a sign of the outside world and of freedom. Warden Norton punishes Andy by sending him to the hole. The second instance is where Andy, convinced that Tommy has evidence that could lead to his release, tries to convince Warden Norton to help him gain a retrial. As a direct result of this conversation, the Warden sends Andy to the hole for the longest sentence ever done by an inmate. These two instances, where the possibility of freedom for Andy is so apparent, are crushed by him being sent to the solitude and bleakness of the hole, where all his previous luxuries are taken away from him along with the idea of freedom.
The director of The Shawshank Redemption represents the idea of freedom and redemption through the motifs of the rock hammer and the bible. The two items closely link as the rock hammer is hidden in the bible. The first time the warden meets with Andy, his parting comment is “Salvation lies within.” This is true in
Frank Darabont conveys the idea of a loss of freedom through his use of “the hole” as a motif. The hole is a place where a prisoner’s limited freedom is taken away from him. For freedom, or the opportunity of freedom, to be taken away it must be first had or able to be obtained. In The Shawshank Redemption there are two instances were Andy is sent to the hole, both result in his freedom being taken away from him. The first instance is where Andy plays a music record over the PA system. The music is a sign of the outside world and of freedom. Warden Norton punishes Andy by sending him to the hole. The second instance is where Andy, convinced that Tommy has evidence that could lead to his release, tries to convince Warden Norton to help him gain a retrial. As a direct result of this conversation, the Warden sends Andy to the hole for the longest sentence ever done by an inmate. These two instances, where the possibility of freedom for Andy is so apparent, are crushed by him being sent to the solitude and bleakness of the hole, where all his previous luxuries are taken away from him along with the idea of freedom.
The director of The Shawshank Redemption represents the idea of freedom and redemption through the motifs of the rock hammer and the bible. The two items closely link as the rock hammer is hidden in the bible. The first time the warden meets with Andy, his parting comment is “Salvation lies within.” This is true in