Shawshank Redemption Materialism

The general perception of morality, originate from the enforced societal rules that have historically acted as pillars for collective functioning. From the polytheistic beliefs of the middle east, actions have been collectively categorised as ‘right’ or ‘wrong’, according to religious principles and human instincts. Development of societal branches have created variations on morals principles; creating the product of modern society.

The implementation of moral judgement come in the form of ‘justice’, as fair treatment of actions in the eyes of the societal laws. Laws act as collective control in favour of common productivity to serve individual demands. The modern interpretation on individually is strongly paradoxical, as materialistic influence,
An essential component of fulfilling that need, lies in maintaining an approved status, by uniformity. The parallelism has driven the misunderstood concept of individually and common ignorance regarding essential life purposes. Therefore, unquestioned acceptance of laws has led to the escalated integration of double standards, as represented in the film, ‘Shawshank Redemption’.

The film reflects clear view of the common boundaries of the American criminal system, which the prison inmates endure in the specific time period. The films plot is centralised around the character, ‘Andy’, whom was a victim of the flawed American criminal system. The requirement as to prove yourself innocent, involves resources in which isn’t equally accessible, hence depicting the twisted morals, known as ‘fairness’.

During Andy’s imprisonment, the absence of common morality was evident, primarily due to the actions of the prison employees; representatives of the American criminal system. The immoral actions of the inmates, does not validate the exercise of immoral actions by the prison employees, which morally constitutes an equivalence between both
He creates appreciation in his community in the form of a library, contributing toward the individual demand, while serving true toward his moral principles. His ironic search for redemption is founded by the realisation of evil existence in the ‘outside’ world. The lifestyle of greed that he previously supported, overshadowed the basic positive elements he experienced while in prison, which the human life exists to provide. His escape symbolises a psychological release from the institutionalised world, where his strong belief in morality created the hope to drive him toward true