I Will Find You

I Will Find You opens with David describing his physical prison as a reflection of the prison his life has become with the murder of his son Matthew. The gray walls and hopeless days are no more gray or hopeless than his loss, and even if he had been exonerated of murder, he would still be suffering a life sentence. Thus, prison is a symbolic death for him, as a part of him died with Matthew. David’s ideal of manhood includes the selfless protection of his family. Having failed to fulfill his role as a man and father, he is only resurrected upon learning Matthew is alive, that he did not fail. The prison also showcases the reach of corruption, as prisoner Ross Sumner is a cannibal serial killer, but still allotted certain benefits due to his wealthy family. He uses his wealth to push prison guard Curly to kill David on his behalf, further corrupting the compromised guard. This injustice challenges prison warden Philip, who claims to uphold the law but pulled strings himself to allow David into his prison—as the two are godfather and godson—and later helps him escape. While Ross and Curly are villainized for their lack of morality, Philip and other characters are allowed freedom from their respective prisons in the form of redemption. Overall, prison is a physical and symbolic space in which the lines between life and death, good and evil, are blurred.