In the society one of the primary forms of punishment for deviant behaviors particularly criminal acts is imprisonment in a correctional facility, in this restricted setting criminals are forced to adapt fully into their surroundings. Inevitably the longer the time inmates spend in such settings the more institutionalized they became as they readily accept their new found status as prisoners consequently establishing new identities within the prison community. Concerning this, Shawshank redemption directed by Frank Darabont is a 1994 American drama that is based on Stephen King’s novel “Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption that follows the story of Andy Dufresne adopted by Tim Robbins; including several other characters, behind bars (Darabont, 1994).
In the film, Dufresne receives a two consecutive life terms after being found guilty for the murders of both his wife and mistress and consequently sentenced to one of the toughest prisons; Shawshank (Darabont, 1994). When Dufresne arrives at the infamous correctional facility he seems to take on a more optimistic and positive attitude regardless of his perceived innocence to the viewers as well as his assumed guilt to the prison’s inmates. While in incarceration Dufresne forms friendship ties with Red; who becomes his closest friend, experiences the extreme brutality of prison life, and finally adapts which helps him in his escape from prison.
Sociological Theory Analysis
Conflict Theory
In accordance to the conflict theory, people in the society exist in a constant struggle thus, amongst each other. The theory further asserts that the dominant groups of people that possess power or money tend to inventible find new ways of diminishing other groups that are perceived as threats (Barkan, 2011). Moreover, Karl Max on the conflict theory further argues that, due to constant societal struggle, social hierarchies are bound to develop which, in, turn, contain people thereby ensuring they stay within their assigned social position. As a result, social order is only maintained through both power and domination as opposed to conformity and consensus (Barkan, 2011).
Karl Marx’s conflict theory is presented through Shawshank’s criminal justice structure especially the prison structure. Shawshank’s prison structure entails a hierarchy in which the prison guards are perceived to be at the top while all the prisoners fall at the bottom. Therefore, the subject class which comprises of Dufresne and his peers is at the mercy of not only the courts but also the warden, guards as well as the parole officers all who in this case make up the ruling class. In the movie, the theory is best presented by observing the relationship that exists between the prison wardens and the prisoners, whereby, in an effort to achieve their hierarchical advancements, the prison administration uses various methods of demoralizing as well as emasculating the prisoners (Darabont, 1994). Concerning this, one of the major subplots of the movie is the harsh treatment directed towards the prisoners by the prison wardens inclusive of the subpar conditions Shawshank’s inmates are forced to endure in the prison. There are several instance where the wardens and prison guards are seen physically abusing the inmates and sometimes send them to solitary confinement with an aim of asserting their power over them, the isolation is meant to break their spirit while forcing them to abide by the prison norms. In other overt instances, extreme violence used mostly by the dominant group for the purpose of establishing control over the prisoner; hence, to a great extent discouraging them from the ability to view themselves as worthy human beings, as a result they end up viewing themselves as nothing more than rejected and isolated members of the mainstream society. One of the inmates that falls victim to the guards’ violence is Bogs Diamond who is sent to solitary confinement after attacking Darabont and upon returning to his cell Guard Mert and Captain Hadley are there waiting for him, where they attack him with their batons leaving him is left severely crippled (Darabont, 1994). In the film, the prison guards also assert their power by putting in place unreasonable restriction on some of the inmates’ basic necessities including food and restrooms. This is evident in Captain Hadley’s statement to the inmate who makes inquiries about their meals, according to the Hadley, “You eat when we say you eat. You sit when we say you sit. You pips when we say you pips… “.
The conflict theory is also evident in the power struggle among the inmates, concerning this, there exists a hierarchy of inmates whereby, the most powerful ones are the top while those that are considered weak are at the bottom of the hierarchy. At the top of the inmate hierarchy is the sisters who are a gang of inmates that prey on other prisoners who they perceive as weak, the group is made up of characters such as Bog Diamond and Muscle MacBride (Darabont, 1994). In the film, the sisters maintain their dominance over other prisoners through gang-attacks, which are mostly targeted at new inmates. Such is seen in the case of Andy Dufresne, to whom the sisters take a special liking, Dufresne perhaps unlike other intimates does not give in easily as he always fights back every time the sisters try to rape him, his resistance in, turn always results in him being severely beaten up the gang (Darabont, 1994). However, after Dufresne establishes himself amongst the prison employees due to his intelligence and resourcefulness, he manages to climb up the prisoners’ hierarchy as he develops a close relationship with Captain Hadley; who offers him protection. This is evident when Dufresne is sent to the infirmary after an attack from the sisters, as a result, the prison guards send one of the sisters Bogs Diamond to solitary confinement and upon his return to his cell, they attack him rendering him crippled and is later transferred to an upstate minimum security institution. After Bogs attack the Sisters refrain from harassing Andy Dufresne and his friends’ altogether.
The conflict theory is further portrayed by the prison guards’ relationship with Andy Dufrense, as the movie begins, the guard attempt to establish their position or rather power over him. However, as the movie commences, the prison guards particularly captain Hadley realizes that Dufrense could be of immense help to him, if he offered his expertise to him. After their interaction, Dufrense becomes an important financial asset for the prison wardens Byron Hadley and Samuel Norton as he takes over their finances to help them in concealing their money laundering activities (Darabont, 1994). As Andy Dufresne becomes more involved in handling the guards’ finances his the warden’s control over him becomes less significant, however, when Dufresne refuses to continue laundering money for the guards they attempt to establish their authority by sending him to solitary confinement for a long period of time. Essentially Norton and Hadley begin by using excessive punishment in order to cover their own inner conflict. Moreover, they also establish control over Dufresne by threatening to burn down the library, remove him from the protection of prison guards as well as to place him in worse conditions (Darabont, 1994).
Conclusion
In conclusion, as the film concludes, Andy Dufresne manages to escape from prison after which he uncovers the Norton and Hadley’s money laundering activities to the public. By doing this, Defresne not only ruins the entire prison stability but to a great also exerts his personal power over the Hadley and Norton which inevitably results in Hadley’s arrest and Norton’s suicide death. Throughout the film, brute force was in most instances applied in order to enforce the prison hierarchy in which prisoners were perceived to be at the bottom, however, Andy Defresne challenges the Conflict theory primary by relinquishing control by the guards and prisoners over his destiny and eventually succeeding despite the harsh and oppressive prison conditions
References
Barkan, S. E. (2011). Sociology: Understanding and changing the social world. Flat World Knowledge, Incorporated.
Darabont, F. (1994). The ShawShank Redemption. [Motion Picture]. United States: Castle Rock Entertainment.
