Shawshank Redemption Cultural Context: Love and Marriage

Opening scene (before court)

Lyrics of the song highlights that Andy loves his wife so much that he will do anything out of jealousy

Opening scene (At court)

Andy’s jealousy is supported by the court as the prosecuter says that a hot blooded crime of passion could be excused. This highlights how women could be viewed as property as the prosecutor suggests that killing his wife for cheating on him could be condoned.

Andy’s convo with Red before his escape at the end

Andy confirms his parallel with the song at the start of the film, he feels that he pushed his wife away

Compare/contrast

All three texts have no happy marriages

Bogs

To The Sisters, sex is about power and control, they want to assert their dominance over Andy by using rape. His sweetened demeanor highlights Bogs warped perversion of love

Platonic love

Red and Andy’s relationship is the only positive relationship in the film