Theological Symbolism in 'Cool Hand Luke'

Document Type:Thesis

Subject Area:Religion

Document 1

As his character is slowly revealed, there are distinct religious themes and ideologies mixed into the story. Luke Jackson, the protagonist of the film played by Paul Newman, became an iconic character in film history. Before finding himself in prison, Luke was a Sergeant in the army. However, he was known for causing (or running into) trouble seemingly anywhere he went. True to this fashion, he was given a prison sentence because he destroyed parking meters while in a drunken state. He gains the respect of the “top-dog” inmate and the others during a boxing match with Dragline. He refuses to give up no matter how much he is beaten down by the stronger man. Luke’s resolve is further put into question when he finds out that his mother passed away.

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Rather than allowing him to grieve, the prison guards decide to lock him up in solitary confinement. They do this to prevent him from thinking about escaping from prison. To start with name Luke, which is meant to symbolize the similarly named apostle. On top of that, his prison number is 37. Based on the book of Luke (1:37), it goes, “For with God nothing shall be impossible. ” This foreshadows his struggle throughout the film. His character slowly becomes something of a messiah to the prison inmates. From that point, Luke falls victim to the cruelty of the prison guards. But, through his reactions to this torture, he is elevated by the inmates to something representing a deity. The Cool Hand Luke Christ figure that Luke becomes is symbolized with a recreation of the allegory of the “Holy Communion.

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