Locks have been an integral part of human civilization for centuries. From ancient Egypt’s wooden pin locks to the sophisticated electronic locks of the 21st century, these security mechanisms have helped us safeguard our possessions, properties, and even our personal safety.
But beyond their practical uses, locks have also become an important symbol in popular culture, appearing in literature, film, music, and art. They have been used to convey themes of confinement, power dynamics, danger, love, and emotional barriers, among others.
Locks in Literature
Throughout literature, locks have been a powerful symbol used to convey a variety of themes and emotions. They have been used to represent concepts such as secrecy, confinement, and power dynamics, among others. In Franz Kafka’s “The Castle,” the protagonist struggles to gain access to a mysterious castle due to the locks on its gates.
These locks serve as a symbol of the bureaucracy and power structures that control society, making it impossible for the protagonist to access the castle and its secrets. In “Jane Eyre” by Charlotte Bronte, the protagonist is locked in a room by her husband as a means of controlling her and preventing her from leaving. The lock in this case represents oppression and confinement, symbolizing the protagonist’s lack of agency and autonomy.
In Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Cask of Amontillado,” a character is locked in a wine cellar as a means of revenge. The lock in this story represents the trap that the protagonist has set for his victim, who is ultimately doomed by his inability to escape.
Similarly, in Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein,” the protagonist’s creature is imprisoned in a laboratory, and the lock on the door represents the confinement and power dynamics between the creature and its creator.
Locks in Film
In the film, locks have been a popular device used to create tension, and suspense, and to symbolize themes of power and control. One iconic example of this is the lock on the door in Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho,” which is used to symbolize the boundary between the protagonist and the danger that lurks beyond. Similarly, in “The Silence of the Lambs,” the character Hannibal Lecter is locked up in a maximum-security prison, and the locks on his cell symbolize the danger and power dynamics between him and the other characters.
Locks have also been used in the film to represent secrets and hidden desires. In “Eyes Wide Shut,” the protagonist finds himself locked out of a secret society’s meeting, symbolizing his exclusion from a world of hidden desires and forbidden pleasures. In “The Great Gatsby,” the protagonist is locked out of his own house by his lover’s husband, symbolizing the protagonist’s inability to control his own life and desires.
Locks in the film have also been used to create suspenseful plot points. In “Ocean’s Eleven,” the heist plot revolves around the characters’ ability to bypass high-security locks to access a vault. In “Mission Impossible,” the protagonist must use his lockpicking skills to gain access to a high-security building, adding tension to the plot.
Details About Locks in Music
Locks have also been a popular symbol in music, often used to convey themes of love, heartbreak, and emotional barriers. In the song “Locked Out of Heaven” by Bruno Mars, the protagonist uses the metaphor of being locked out to describe his feelings of longing and desire for his lover. The locks in this song represent the emotional barriers that prevent the protagonist from being with his loved one.
Similarly, in the song “Locked Away” by R. City featuring Adam Levine, the locks represent the emotional walls that people build around themselves to protect themselves from vulnerability and heartbreak. The lyrics urge the listener to break down these locks and open themselves up to love and connection.
In other songs, locks have been used to symbolize power dynamics and oppression. In Bob Marley’s “Concrete Jungle,” the lyrics describe a world where people are locked into their circumstances, unable to escape the poverty and oppression they face. The locks in this song represent the systemic barriers that prevent people from achieving their dreams and escaping their circumstances.
Locks in Art
Locks have also been a popular subject in art, appearing in paintings, sculptures, and installations. In many cases, locks have been used to symbolize themes of confinement, secrets, and power dynamics. One example of this is the sculpture “Love Locks” by Federico Membrillera, which features hundreds of locks attached to a chain-link fence. Visitors are encouraged to attach their own locks, symbolizing their love and commitment. The locks in this sculpture represent the emotional bonds between people, as well as the desire for permanence and security in relationships.
In other works of art, locks have been used to symbolize political and social oppression. In Banksy’s famous stencil art piece “One Nation Under CCTV,” a padlock is placed over the eye of a surveillance camera, symbolizing the need for privacy and freedom in a society that is increasingly monitored and controlled. In Ai Weiwei’s installation “Forever Bicycles,” thousands of bicycles are locked together, representing the conformist and oppressive nature of Chinese society.
Locks have also been used in art to represent the passage of time and the impermanence of life. In the painting “The Lock” by John Constable, a lock on a canal serves as a symbol for the passing of time and the transience of human existence. Similarly, in the sculpture “The Lock” by Auguste Rodin, a lock is used to represent the eternal nature of love and commitment.
Locks in art have been used to symbolize a wide range of themes and emotions, from love and commitment to oppression and impermanence. They serve as a powerful visual metaphor for the complexities of the human experience and continue to be an important subject in contemporary art.
Do you have to know how to improve overall security beyond just using locks? See here for the process.
Locks in Movies
Locks have played a significant role in many movies over the years, often used to add tension and suspense to a scene. Here are some famous examples of locks in movies:
The Great Escape (1963)
In this classic war film, a group of Allied prisoners of war plans a daring escape from a German prison camp. The key element of their plan involves using stolen tools to create duplicate keys for the locks on the camp’s doors.
Die Hard (1988)
In this action-packed movie, NYPD officer John McClane battles a group of terrorists who have taken over a high-rise building. The terrorists have secured the building with electronic locks, which McClane must hack in order to gain access to various parts of the building.
Ocean’s Eleven (2001)
In this heist movie, a group of criminals plans to rob a Las Vegas casino vault containing millions of dollars. The vault is secured with a complex series of locks, which the gang must bypass in order to pull off the heist.
The Da Vinci Code (2006)
In this mystery thriller, Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon is tasked with solving a series of clues in order to find a hidden artifact. One of the clues involves deciphering a combination lock to gain access to a secret room.
National Treasure (2004)
In this adventure movie, treasure hunter Ben Gates sets out to uncover a hidden treasure that is protected by a series of clues and puzzles. One of the puzzles involves using a key to unlock a secret compartment in a historical document.
Locks in TV shows
Locks have also played a significant role in many TV shows, often used to create tension and suspense. Here are some famous examples of locks in TV shows:
Breaking Bad
In this crime drama, the main character Walter White uses his chemistry knowledge to manufacture and sell methamphetamine. He often uses a lock to secure his “lab” and prevent others from discovering his illegal activities.
Lost
In this mysterious and twisty drama, a group of people is stranded on a mysterious island. They discover various locked doors and safes throughout the island, which often contain secrets and clues to their survival.
Prison Break
In this action-packed series, the main character Michael Scofield engineers an elaborate plan to break his brother out of prison. The plan involves obtaining a map of the prison’s layout and creating a key to the various locks throughout the facility.
The Walking Dead
In this post-apocalyptic horror series, the survivors often use locks to secure their living spaces from the dangers of the outside world, including zombies and other hostile survivors.
Stranger Things
In this sci-fi thriller, the main characters encounter a secret government facility that is secured with a complex series of locks and security measures. They must use their wits to bypass the locks and gain access to the facility’s secrets.
Locks in Books
Locks have also played a significant role in many books, often used as a plot device to create tension and suspense.
Harry Potter series: In this beloved fantasy series, the characters often encounter doors and chests that are secured with magical locks. These locks require specific spells or charms to be unlocked, adding to the magical and mysterious nature of the story.
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes: In this classic detective series, the famous detective often encounters locks that he must pick in order to solve a case. His skill in lock picking is just one of the many talents that help him to solve mysteries.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo: In this thrilling novel, the main character Lisbeth Salander is a skilled hacker who often bypasses electronic locks and security systems in order to obtain information for her investigations.
The Da Vinci Code: In this mystery thriller, the main characters encounter a series of cryptexes, which are cylindrical devices secured with a combination lock. The characters must solve a series of puzzles and clues to unlock the cryptex and reveal its secrets.
The Thief Lord: In this children’s novel, the main characters are a group of orphaned children who live in an abandoned movie theater in Venice. They discover a locked wooden chest that contains a mysterious and valuable item, which they must unlock to uncover its secrets.
Final Words
Locks have played a significant role in popular culture, appearing in movies, TV shows, and books as a symbol of security and protection. Whether it’s a padlock securing a valuable item or an electronic lock guarding a high-security facility, locks have become an iconic image associated with safety and security.
In movies, locks have often been used to create tension and suspense, with characters attempting to pick, hack, or bypass locks in order to achieve their goals. TV shows have also used locks as a plot device, with characters encountering locked doors, safes, and other obstacles that must be overcome to solve mysteries or escape danger. Books have explored the concept of locks in various genres, from magical locks in fantasy novels to combination locks in mystery thrillers.