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Shawshank redemption analysis essay

He befriends ‘ Red’ a smuggler of contraband who gives Andy a rock hammer which Andy claims he will use to create chess pieces.

Later Red also gets him numerous large posters of prominent celebrities such as Rata Worth and Marilyn Monroe. After showing skills with accounting Andy Is made the Warden’s financial assistant to assist the corrupt use of prison labor to make personal profits, to the prison, Tommy Williams, who after hearing of a similar case at another prison declares Andy innocence. This is revealed to warden Norton who dismisses the action as he is afraid of his corruption being revealed and having no one to run his scams.

Andy receives brutal beatings and punishment to ensure his submission.

Whilst having a mysterious chat with Red, Andy asks Red to promise if he ever gets out of prison he will find a package in a field near Buxton and keep it. The next day Andy has disappeared and a furious Norton hurls a stone carving at a poster of Rachel Welch on the wall, revealing an incredible tunnel carved by Andy out of the prison. After escaping Andy withdraws all the Warden’s money under the alias name and moves to Mexico on the beach.

Red is finally released on parole after 40 years at Shawano and honoring Andy promise finds Andy package. The package reveals money and instructions to Join Andy in Situational.

Red finds Andy on the beach and both Friends embrace. 3. Consider your reaction to the text. A) How does the text affect you? What feelings does it leave you with? ; During the film a strong sense of hatred towards the warden who is revealed to be a terrible man ; Very happy when Andy Defense escapes and builds his life in Mexico with Red ; Makes one question the flaws of our Justice system as a man like

Andy was wrongfully convicted off a crime and also of correctional institutions as sometimes they only make matters worse ; Shock over treatment of inmates by both officers and other inmates ; The comradely between Andy group of friends in the prison ; Antiquarianism feelings as all of the officers and authority failed Andy while he was an inmate ; With hard work and dedication anything is possible and one must never give up hope Does this text have anything in common with your two prescribed texts?

Do they explore the same issues? Like Jasper Jones all the inmates in Shawano prison are outcasts from society ; Andy wife unfaithful like Charlie’s mother and this has a profound effect on both of them ; Further evaluation attached at end 6.

Think about ideas about belonging in this text. A) What are the characters’ perceptions of their belonging? In the film many of the characters have a varied perception of belonging from one another.

The longer serving men at Shawano such as Red and Brooks Hadley, the prison librarian, feel they have spent such a significant portion of their life in prison that they now truly belong at prison, as highlighted by Red’s use of the word institutionalized’ meaning the prison system has altered their perceptions of belonging. These men believe they simply couldn’t cope or even survive in the outside world as it has changed so dramatically since they last experienced it.

Brooks certainly felt a sense of belonging at Shawano, and when he was given the news he would be released was so shattered he attempted to murder another inmate to ensure he remained at Shawano and didn’t have to face the real world. When he is eventually realized Brooks struggles to adapt and eventually commits suicide due to him not belonging in society.

Andy on the other hand is greatly different to these other characters who’s perceptions of belonging have been altered by prison life.

Andy despite his numerous years spent at Shawano still feels connected to the outside worlds and desperately wants to re-join normal society. He unlike the others isn’t institutionalized and his connection with the outside world is symbolizes through the posters on his wall that change to mirror changes in culture. He whilst being accepted with Red and the rest of his peers also doesn’t belong at Shawano This wrongful conviction fuels Andy desire to escape. ) What are the characters’ experiences and notions of: I) identity?

For many of the inmates prison life has slowly eroded away at their sense of individual identity as they simply blend into the masses at Shawano prison. Prison life has crushed many of their dreams and aspirations and they have nothing to look forward to but a life at Shawano, and their self-perception can reduce greatly as they have to comprehend the life they have wasted.

Others however have forged a clear identity whilst in prison. Red is known as a man who can ‘ get things’ while Andy comes recognized as a financial asset who can help the warden and other guards.

By ensuring they don’t lose their sense of individual identity these characters are successful in the prison environment and are popular amongst viewers. Andy also ensures he keeps his personal integrity during his sentence despite being in an environment where integrity is lacking it) relationships Red understands the importance of relationships at Shawano. He believes that having a many friends can keep a man sane while he serves his sentence and keeps his mind from wandering as Red believes nothing good comes from unrealistic hope ND dreams.

He has numerous contacts and friends that help him smuggle contraband and also try to make the time spent in prison as enjoyable as possible.

Andy also experiences many relationships at Shawano, some positive others negative. He initially has a positive relationship with many of the guards due to his financial assistance as they protect him from the ‘ sisters’ yet this turns sour and the destruction of such relationships makes prison life far more difficult for him. Notions of acceptance are also prominent in Shawano.

Andy due to his kind and intriguing nature is accepted into Red’s peer group and through this Andy adjusts to prison life.

He is also accepted amongst the guards and they initially protect him due to his financial skills. Iii) understanding? Through their close relationship, similar poor situations and large amount of time spent together the inmates especially Red and Andy begin to understand each other very well. Both can read the other’s thoughts and emotions extremely well and as they are all stuck at Shawano can relate to some of the feelings felt by the others. ) Are there characters who enrich or challenge the group? Explain how they do this.

The warden is one character who certainly challenges Andy and Red’s peer group with his seemingly moral and religious exterior yet is revealed to be a corrupt, unfeeling, money obsessed man with little regard for the lives he is destroying at Shawano. Even when clear evidence is given by Tommy Williams regarding Anta’s innocence the warden refuses to allow any action in fear of being revealed of his financial crimes. He eventually has Tommy killed and subsequently places Andy in solitary confinement for two months.

This significantly tests Andy mental strength s he is deprived of companionship for an extended period of time. Thus by intentionally hindering Andy opportunity for freedom and a new life he the major protagonist of the film. Ellis ‘ Red’ Redding however a character that greatly enriches is the main prison group.

In the film he has a reputation of being able “ to get stuff from time to time”, basically stating he is a notorious smuggler of contraband. It is Red who gives Andy the simple rock hammer that becomes integral to Andy escape and also the numerous posters that hide the gaping hole in the cell wall.

Without Red, Andy would eave never escaped and without Red’s friendship Andy may have not felt a sense of belonging at Shawano. Red’s practicality combined with Andy optimistic and creative attitude enriches life across Shawano from the new library to extra cigarettes smuggled in by Red, therefore Red is clearly an important and enriching character throughout the film. For majority of men at Shawano their perception of belonging is modified during their time in prison.

Many men such as Brooks and Red become institutionalized and no longer belong in the real world.

Other’s however such as Andy remain in touch tit society and keep their attitudes of belonging similar during their time d) Do any characters make choices not to belong? In the film characters choices are limited in the prison environment and this is also the case in reference to aspects of belonging. Most of the members of Shawano simply are forced to Join a particular group or risk being prayed upon by the Sisters of other ruthless inmates. Many of these inmates may not truly feel at ease in many of these environments yet to ensure safety must force belonging.

Most of the main character’s however such as Red and Andy do seem happy amongst their friend and eave chosen this belonging. There are some barriers that hinder characters attempts to belong. For instance the actual walls of the prison inhibit the inmates from being together during certain times and must remain on their own for the night. The prison walls also act as physical barriers to prevent the inmates Joining society and belonging there. Lastly the warden through his corruption inhibits Andy from becoming a free man and living a normal life that he deserves.

7. Identify techniques (AT LEAST 3):[e. G.

Context (what’s Quotation/ What Technique Effect What it shows about belonging appending)you see After 20 years of tunneling Andy escapes Shawano through a “ tunnel of sit” or sewage pipe and washes Joyfully in the river as the rain beats down and cleanses him Andy outstretches his arms and looks upward towards heaven, creating an image that is similar too Christian cross Symbolism All of Andy previous sins are symbolically washed away by the water and the and he is redeemed by God, ready for a new life That Andy, having been cleansed from all his sins is now ready to rejoin the real world and go back to wear he rightfully belongs.

As the title states he as achieved Redemption for being a cause for his wife’s death and now can forget his past and move to the pacific ocean and start a new life where he can find belonging in the outside world. Andy throughout the film grows as a person and eventually is revealed as a kind person looking to better prison life for all the other inmates In the first scenes of Andy arriving at Shawano, much of his face is hidden by shadows, yet this changes particularly in when he is in his new library as he feels a sense of achievement and content Lighting Andy character development is indicated though the use of lighting on his face.

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