The Shawshank Redemption and The Pursuit of Happyness

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Institutionalized Regulations and Pursuit of Dream in the films the Shawshank Redemption and the Pursuit of Happiness
Background
The Shawshank Redemption and the Pursuit of Happyness have different concepts, but they depict different aspects of the American Dream, and the Shawshank Redemption also highlights on institutional regulations. The American Dream is embedded in the American identity and the rags to riches story in the Pursuit of Happyness, captures this notion while also depicting the American Flag and Declaration of Independence that unite all Americans. Even though, Shawshank Redemption is mainly set in a prison, whereby the protagonist is hopeful that he can readjust to life outside the prison system where there are fewer institutionalized regulations having previously worked in the corporate world.
Institutionalized Regulations and degenerate ideologies
In The Shawshank Redemption, the theme of institutionalized regulations highlights that that the individuals may fail to function properly in cases where they do not follow the regulations. This is most apparent in the case of Red who tells Andy Dufresne, the main character that he would likely have to get used life outside prison if he were to adjust people. Red had been institutionalized for a bigger part of his life and it appears that Red only sees two options available to either be busy living or die. Even though, the main character in the pursuit of Happyness is free he also suffers from the institutional regulations that make it harder to improve his economic situation. According to Caie (24), social inclusion in prisons affects the wellbeing of prisoners as they find it hard to participate in the society especially then they have limited social capital and cannot access mental health services.
Institutionalized regulations affect the society since individuals then have to follow them or risk further punishments. In the Shawshank Redemption institutionalization is mainly through the prison system, where the power system is tilted in favor of the criminal justice system, but they may exercise undue power than is necessary. Consequently, the prisoners stay in prison for long, and have at times to result in corrupt practices to survive in the prison system. The prisoners who have feelings of hopelessness are likely to find it hard to cope in and out of prison, and increase the risk of self harming (Stinchcomb 126). On the other hand, Christopher Gardner in the Pursuit of Happyness has to understand how the systems work in the corporate world to move ahead (Muccino). The individuals have to find ways to live within the institutional regulations, but those who fail are likely to fall foul of the law, rules and regulation, to the extent that some are unable to cope with the situation.
The institutionalization of people in The Shawshank Redemption showed that they were at first scared of living in the institutional facilities, and as they stay longer in them they are more attached to the people around them. However, his also has a negative impact on their lives since they lose the hope. Redemption is critical for the previously incarcerated to move forward outside prison life. Chris in Pursuit for Happyness, also has hope that he can sell his medical equipment, but realizes that being a sales man is harder than previously thought (Muccino). Even though, the institutionalized regulations are less strict in the corporate world, Chris hopes does drives him to focus on his shortcomings.
The problem with institutionalized regulations is that it often leaves those affected to feel caged. This is because some individuals can live in solitary confinement when incarcerated where nothing changes. The Shawshank Redemption highlights this whereby the prisoners are less likely to have a positive view of their ability to cope outside the prison (Darabont). The prisoners also suffer abuse from the fellow inmates, while they are exploited by the prison wardens. On one hand, the most hopeful wants to get out, but the others have lost hope and resigned to fate that nothing would change regardless of whether they are incarcerated or not.
Even though, both films explore similar themes, individualism is seen to be more important to pursue ones dreams in The Pursuit for Happyness. On the other hand, for those institutionalized cooperation and forging alliances can often yield more positive results, where the people do not have the freedom of movement. The notion that people ought to be free to pursue what they desire without breaking any laws are loosely tied to the notion of individualism. As individuals pursue their dreams, then the capitalisms society makes it easier for them to do as they desire without being controlled. The Pursuit for Happyness focuses on the neoliberal aspects, where hard work and sacrifice made to pursue dreams are identified as the factors that are associated with success (Walcott 78-79).
Pursuit of happiness
In the Pursuit of Happyness, the theme of the American Dream is explored, where Chris tries to scale the social ladder while, while pursuing happiness. Given that Chris is a struggling salesman the endurance to soldier on and try another job proves to the positive in his attempt to be a more successful (Muccino). As the only Black applicant for a stockbroker program, Chris gets the job, and this due to perseverance as emboldened in the notion of the American Dream. Will Smith who acts as Chris Gardner highlighted the Pursuit of Happyness as a representation of the American Dream, whereby sheer will and determination are crucial to one achieving their dreams (White). This is the most apparent element related to the rags to riches story that is a common in Hollywood movies that explore the theme of the American Dream.
The institutionalized prisoners in The Shawshank Redemption are not only locked in for criminal offences, but they are also locked out of the American Dream. The notion of freedom and ability to rise up no matter the circumstances are related to the notion of the American Dream. On the other hand in The Pursuit of Happyness Chris has the freedom to pursue what he desires, but the obstacles that he faces are different as he does not suffer the indignity of having no freedom of movement (Muccino). Incarceration increases the risk of poverty, for the institutionalized prisoners who have no chance to find meaningful work.
The pursuit of happiness is one of the elements of the American Dream that have become deeply embedded into the American psyche. It has become more like a promise from the time the American Dream was espoused by the American founding fathers (Callahan 378). the notion of dreams typically involves freedom, as people have the opportunity to seek f...