The Green Mile - Masculine - Male Gaze vs. The Shawshank Redemption - Masculine - Male Gaze

Attribute	The Green Mile - Masculine - Male Gaze	The Shawshank Redemption - Masculine - Male Gaze
Director	Frank Darabont	Frank Darabont
Main Character	Paul Edgecomb	Andy Dufresne
Setting	Prison	Prison
Themes	Redemption, justice, morality	Hope, friendship, freedom
Male Gaze	Present in some scenes	Less prominent

Introduction

When it comes to classic films that explore themes of masculinity and the male gaze, two movies that often come to mind are "The Green Mile" and "The Shawshank Redemption." Both films are set in a prison environment and feature male protagonists who navigate complex relationships with other men. In this article, we will compare and contrast the attributes of these two films in terms of their portrayal of masculinity and the male gaze.

Plot and Setting

"The Green Mile" is set in a 1930s Louisiana prison and follows the story of a death row corrections officer named Paul Edgecomb, played by Tom Hanks. The film explores themes of justice, redemption, and the supernatural as Paul forms a bond with a gentle giant named John Coffey, who has been wrongfully convicted of murder. In contrast, "The Shawshank Redemption" takes place in a Maine prison in the 1940s and centers around the friendship between two inmates, Andy Dufresne and Red. Andy is wrongly convicted of murder and must navigate the harsh realities of prison life while maintaining his sense of hope and dignity.

Character Development

In "The Green Mile," the male characters are portrayed as complex and multi-dimensional. Paul Edgecomb is a compassionate and empathetic man who struggles with the moral implications of his job as an executioner. John Coffey, on the other hand, is a gentle giant with supernatural healing powers who becomes a symbol of innocence and purity in a corrupt world. In "The Shawshank Redemption," Andy Dufresne is a quiet and intelligent man who uses his skills to navigate the prison system and eventually escape. Red, played by Morgan Freeman, serves as a mentor figure to Andy and undergoes his own journey of redemption and self-discovery.

Themes of Masculinity

Both "The Green Mile" and "The Shawshank Redemption" explore traditional notions of masculinity, such as strength, resilience, and honor. In "The Green Mile," Paul Edgecomb embodies these qualities through his dedication to his job and his willingness to stand up for what is right. John Coffey, despite his physical size, is portrayed as a gentle and nurturing figure who challenges stereotypes of masculinity. In "The Shawshank Redemption," Andy Dufresne demonstrates his strength through his intelligence and resourcefulness, while Red shows resilience and loyalty in the face of adversity.

Male Gaze

Both films also incorporate elements of the male gaze, a concept that refers to the way in which visual media often portrays women as objects of desire for a presumed male viewer. In "The Green Mile," the female characters are largely peripheral to the main narrative and serve as love interests or sources of conflict for the male characters. The camera often lingers on their bodies in a way that objectifies them and reinforces traditional gender roles. In "The Shawshank Redemption," the male gaze is less overt, but still present in the way that female characters are depicted as either nurturing figures or obstacles to be overcome by the male protagonists.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "The Green Mile" and "The Shawshank Redemption" are both powerful films that explore themes of masculinity and the male gaze in different ways. While "The Green Mile" delves into the complexities of male relationships and the struggle for redemption, "The Shawshank Redemption" focuses on the resilience and hope of the human spirit in the face of adversity. Both films offer valuable insights into the ways in which masculinity is portrayed in popular culture and the impact of the male gaze on storytelling.