Conformity In The Film 'Cool Hand Luke'

Cool Hand Luke is about a troubled war veteran, Luke Jackson, who protested to any rules or authority. The movie is centered around his need to fight against conformity with a juxtaposition to the other characters who are obedient to authority and conform to the prison rules. Luke reflects non-conformity in his ways to tease the authorities and will not take any advice from the other prisoners. Conformity is expressed through the prison guards clothing, and the prisoner’s actions. Obedience to authority is seen through Dragline – Luke’s right hand man – who believes following rules will lead to a positive outcome.
Luke spent most of his life conforming, and being obedient in the military. After all this time following rules and orders, he decided …show more content…
In prison the acceptable range of behaviours and actions are explicitly told to the prisoners, but some norms go unwritten. These norms are reinforced through the character’s actions and their clothing. One strong symbol of conformity in Cool Hand Luke was demonstrated through the attire of the prison guards as well as the prisoners. The prison guards wore big hats that covered their faces as well as mirrored sunglasses. The sunglasses and hat dehumanize the guard’s; this adds a fear factor to the guards so the prisoners will stay within the acceptable range of behaviours. Dragline refers to the guards as the “Man with No Eyes,” further dehumanizing them. Another form of conformity is from the prisoners when they starting eating off of Luke’s plate. After Luke was punished for running away, the prison cafeteria workers gave Luke extra food. They gave him all of this food because it is a rule that each prisoner has to eat everything on their plate. This also could have been a form of taunting for when Luke managed to eat 50 hard-boiled eggs in one hour – another task to prove his own authority over the prisoners and guards. The prisoners starting walking by Luke and each taking a spoon full of food off his plate and eating it for him. No one had explicitly said to do this; each prisoner decided to do this simply by observing other prisoners do this and conform to the norm. This is also an example of norm …show more content…
He is constantly trying his best to follow the prison rules, as well as he becomes dependent on Luke as he gains authority over the other prisoners. When Luke and Dragline escape together Luke tells Dragline that he thinks it would be best if they split up. Dragline responds, “What am I going to do all by myself?” Luke brushes this off and tells Dragline that they don’t need each other – in a rude way. Dragline replies to this with wishing Luke luck. Since Luke is in a position of authority, Dragline feels it is necessary to follow him, and respect him no matter