For this assignment, I have decided to focus on subcultures, particularly the general prison culture. In the movie, Shawshank Redemption, subculture, which refers to a group of individuals sharing similar values, beliefs, and norms, is depicted. Prison subculture, on the other hand, means prisoner code, which is the process of realizing each group’s principles and beliefs without disobeying them whether you believe in them or not. Going against a specific organization in jail can lead to the death of the victim. Prison subculture is characterized by not informing fellow prisoners, mistrusting staff, and being loyal.

The general prison culture is brought up in the movie Shawshank Redemption. Public prison culture is divided into two subcultures, which are guard subcultures and inmate subcultures. As for the guard subcultures, there exist different types of guards in jails (Einat & Einat, 2000). To begin with is the rule enforcer who is a reasonably strict guard whose focus is primarily on ensuring control. These guards are not concerned about negotiating with the convicts, instead, they are fascinated by making their power felt by the inmates. Secondly is the individuals’ worker type of guard who is often older, supplementary experienced and relies on their verbal skills and mental abilities instead of physical force (Schaefer, 2018). Finally is the loner type of guard who firmly implements the rules and is always on guard to prove their skills to other guards. For example in the movie, Warden Samuel Norton establishes his real nature as that of a disciplinarian. He conspires to have Tommy Williams slaughtered to prevent Andy from fleeing from prison (McIntosh, 2019).

Inmate subculture is the norms, principles, ethics, ideas, and language adopted by a specific group of inmates in prison. It is best described by the deprivation model, which states that convict subculture is apparent through the pains of detention. It is also defined by the importation model that says that the subculture is evident because the convicts are imitating the outside world (Schaefer, 2018). In both convict subculture models, behavior code, a power ladder, financial system for unlawful possessions and service supplies are available. For instance, in the movie, Andy is a good example as he assists the guards and the Warden with their levies and handles their money (McIntosh, 2019).

In prison, acts of violence and rape are very predominant. Although they are illegal, the wardens and guards allow them to happen to the weak inmates who lack protection from gang members. Andy realized that hope is dangerous. This made him engage in commercial activities with the warden in exchange for protection from other inmates.

Analysis

1. Dominant culture refers to the recognized language, faith, conduct, morals, rites, and social customs. These qualities are frequently the standard for society as a whole (Oyserman, 2016). The dominant culture is typical but not always in the majority and accomplishes its supremacy by regulating social organizations such as communication, academic organizations, and business. In the film, the aspect of dominant culture is brought up. This is through Andy Dufresne, a banker who is mistakenly sentenced for slaying his wife and her lover (McIntosh, 2019). In an attempt to remain unnoticeable and find his prison personality, he helps Ellis Boyd ‘Red’ Redding, a supplier, and Brooks Hatlen.
2. Socialization refers to the continual process of receiving and distributing standards, customs, and principles, thereby providing a person with the abilities and conducts essential for taking part in societal activities. It is how social and cultural continuousness is achieved. In the film, socialization is achieved when Andy says to Red, “You know the funny thing is, on the outside, I was an honest man, straight as an arrow. I had to come to prison to be a crook” (McIntosh, 2019). Additionally, it is also portrayed when the Warden states that “Rule number one: no blasphemy. I will not have the Lord’s name taken in vain in my prison.” He denies the inmates their freedom of speech on the basis that he is against such “ugly words.”
3. Values are principles or standards of behavior or an individual’s judgment of what is essential in life. Values are depicted in the film by showing the audience how conditions are really like in prison. For instance, the cases of rape and sodomy that occur in the movie show what some people really care about and how far they can go to achieve it. For example, Andy agrees to handle money for the guards and Warden just to be protected from the other inmates.
4. Language is the method in which human beings communicate with each other, either in written or spoken words in a structured and conventional way. In the movie, language is portrayed by describing the prison as a horrible place to live disconnected from the outside world.
5. Culture shock is the feeling of confusion experienced by an individual when exposed to a different culture and way of life. In the film, it is brought up when Earl Jelks, an Irish black man, finds himself as the only black man in prison amid white men.

References

Einat , T., & Einat , H. (2000). Inmate Argot as an Expression of Prison Subculture: The Israeli Case. The Prison Journal , 1-18.

McIntosh, J. (2019). How The Shawshank Redemption Humanizes Prisoners [Video]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhGJ5SmSE2o

Oyserman, D. (2016). Culture Three Ways: Culture and Subcultures Within Countries. reviews in advance, 1-29.

Schaefer, R. (2018). Sociology in modules (4th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education: New York.

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Subcultures and Countercultures

Paper details
Subcultures and Countercultures are present in all aspects of our social lives. Many
times, filmmakers take on a subculture or counterculture as a subject for one of their
movies. At times this can be problematic as certain elements of the subculture and/or
counterculture can be misrepresented or distorted. For this assignment, you will watch a
feature-length film about a subculture or counterculture and then analyze the film using
concepts you have learned in this course.
This assignment is designed to meet the following learning outcomes:
1. Compare and contrast the major contemporary sociological theories.
2. Represent knowledge of the key concepts in sociology including culture, social
structure, social interactions and organizations.
For this assignment:
Pick a film that emphasizes a particular subculture from the list. If there is another film
that you would like to use for this assignment, you must get prior approval.
• New in Town – Small-town Midwest culture
• Shawshank Redemption – Prison culture
• North Country – Laborer/working class culture
• Hoosiers – Sports culture
• BirdCage – Gay/Drag queen culture
• Office Space – Corporate culture
• A Few Good Men – Military culture
• Best in Show – Dog show culture
• Lords of Dogtown – Skateboarding culture
• Mi Vida Loca – Latina gang culture
• Dead Poets Society – Prep school culture
The general subcultures for each film are listed in the descriptions. You may write
about the subculture that is identified or you may choose to narrow your assignment
further. For example, if you chose the Shawshank Redemption, you could write about
prison culture in general, prison guard culture, or prisoner culture. It’s up to you whether
you choose to narrow the focus of your assignment. Regardless of your choice, select
only ONE subculture to discuss and be consistent throughout your assignment.
While watching the film, you should take notes so that you remember key moments and
events (and you won’t have to re-watch the film). Please note that you will need to refer
to specific incidents, events and quotes in your
In the assignment that you submit, answer the following questions.
1. Film:
1. Identify the film you watched and the subculture you will discuss in this
2. Subculture or Counterculture:
1. Briefly describe the subculture depicted in the Give specific examples to illustrate and
support your argument.
2. Is the group represented in your film a subculture or a counterculture?
1. Define the term (subculture or counterculture) in your own words. Do not directly
quote lecture or the book (although you should reference one or both in your citation).
3. What are some of the distinctive markers of the subculture or counter culture that set
this group apart from dominant culture?