America (1940s–1970s) – Magister Borg

AMERICA (1940s-1970s)

Before the film

Before we start to watch and work with The Shawshank Redemption, we need to understand the world in which the film takes place. Andy Dufresne enters Shawshank Prison in 1947 and remains there for many years. While he is in prison, American society changes in important ways.

In this activity, you will learn about four aspects of life in the United States between the 1940s and the 1970s:

Family Values
Crime and Punishment
Race and Segregation
Entertainment

Your goal is to understand what life was like during this period and how these changes connect to the world of The Shawshank Redemption. Before we start, let us discuss and try to answer . . .

. . .What changes might have happened in America while he is in prison?

step one – read four short texts

Read the four texts carefully.

For each text, answer the accompanying questions using complete sentences.

As you read, answer about:

What was life like in America?
How did society change between the 1940s and the 1970s?
How might these changes affect someone who spent many years in prison?

During the 1940s and 1950s, many Americans believed in traditional family roles. After World War II, many men returned home and worked outside the home, while many women stayed at home to take care of the house and children. This was often presented as the ideal family. Families were encouraged to buy homes, cars and modern appliances, and many moved to growing suburbs outside large cities.

During the 1960s and 1970s, family life began to change. More women entered the workforce, and the women’s rights movement argued that women should have the same opportunities as men. Divorce became more common, and traditional family roles were increasingly questioned. By the 1970s, American families looked more diverse than they had in the years immediately after the war.

In the 1940s and 1950s, many Americans believed that prisons should mainly punish criminals for their crimes. Prison life was often strict, and discipline was considered very important. Society expected criminals to serve their sentences and accept the consequences of their actions. Prisoners had fewer rights than they do today.

During the 1960s and 1970s, some people began to question whether punishment alone was enough. Experts and politicians started discussing rehabilitation, the idea that prisons should help people change and become productive members of society. Education programmes and prison libraries became more common. At the same time, many people still believed that prisons should focus on punishment and deterrence.

During the 1940s and 1950s, many Black Americans faced discrimination and segregation. In some parts of the United States, Black and white people attended different schools, used different public facilities and were treated unequally under the law. Although Black Americans had fought in World War II, many returned home to find that discrimination still existed.

During the 1950s and 1960s, the Civil Rights Movement worked to challenge segregation and demand equal rights. Activists organised protests, marches and boycotts to fight discrimination. Important laws were passed during the 1960s that ended legal segregation in many areas of American society. By the 1970s, major legal changes had taken place, although racial inequality had not disappeared completely.

In the 1940s, many Americans listened to the radio for news, music and entertainment. Going to the cinema was also very popular. During the 1950s, television became a common feature in American homes. Families often spent evenings together watching television programmes, sports and news broadcasts.

The 1960s and 1970s saw even more changes. Colour television became more common, and popular music became an important part of youth culture. Artists such as Elvis Presley and later bands such as The Beatles became international stars. Films, television and music reached larger audiences than ever before. By the 1970s, entertainment played a major role in everyday American life.

Step TWO: Compare the Decades

After reading all four texts, complete the table below.

Area	1940s	1970s
Family Values
Crime and Punishment
Race and Segregation
Entertainment

Try to identify the most important changes in each area that took place during this period.

Step Three: Writing

Using the information from the texts, write a short text consisting of two paragraphs.

Paragraph 1

Describe what life was like in the United States during the 1940s.

You may include:

family values
crime and punishment
race and segregation
entertainment

Paragraph 2

Describe how American society had changed by the 1970s.

You may include:

changing family roles
ideas about punishment and rehabilitation
civil rights and segregation
new forms of entertainment

Try to use some of the following words:

society
change
freedom
prison
punishment
rehabilitation
segregation
entertainment
opportunity
different

Challenge:
At the end of your second paragraph, explain which change you think would have surprised Andy Dufresne the most if he had been released in 1970.