JUSTICE AS A GAME FOR THE MARGARIDED: AN ANALYSIS OF WHITE SUPREMACY AND STRUCTURAL RACISM IN ‘THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION

Astrid Wangsagirindra Pudjastawa, Yufita Ng

Abstract


This study explores how The Shawshank Redemption portrays justice as a game for those marginalized through white supremacy and structural racism. Using descriptive-qualitative methods, this study analyzes dialogues and scenes with sequence tables to assess character dominance, glorification dialogue tables to identify explicit and implicit glorification, and positive-negative binary oppositions in character characterization. The results show that Andy Dufresne dominates the narrative, emphasizing the centrality of the white protagonist. Explicit glorification of the protagonist's values reaches the peak of presentation, while implicit glorification is relatively low, indicating hidden structural bias. Minority supporting characters tend to be given negative characterizations more often than main characters, reinforcing the structural racism mechanisms behind the justice narrative. These findings reveal that popular films help reinforce white supremacy and structural racism, influencing how audiences understand the concept of justice. This study recommends that audiences and filmmakers adopt a more equitable approach to representation and be aware of hidden narrative biases in film production and consumption. With this awareness, cinema can contribute to more inclusive social justice.

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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17977/um006v9i12025p174-184

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ISLLAC : Journal of Intensive Studies on Language, Literature, Art, and Culture
Jurusan Sastra Indonesia, Fakultas Sastra, Universitas Negeri Malang, Indonesia (Department of Indonesian Literature, Faculty of Letters, State University of Malang, Indonesia)

ISSN : 2597-7385 (media online) - SK no. 0005.25977385/JI.3.1/SK.ISSN/2017.09 - 19 September 2017

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