Shawshank Redemption- Movie v Short Story

Plot

The book version and movie version of "Shawshank Redemption" are extremely similar to each other, the movie varying only slightly from the book. For instance, the reasoning why Red and Andy are in prison, the manner in which Andy escapes, and the grueling situation with the sisters are a few of the details which remain the same between the two. One difference that I did find while watching the movie was that Red doesn't look back at his past time in jail before Andy came as often in the book. The movie is more focused on Red's relationship with Andy and the times that they spend together. Also one part of the plot which differs is in the book is that the wardens do not remain the same as they do in the movie. In the movie, Mr. Norton, the warden remains the only warden throughout the story while in the book, the wardens change throughout. Another difference between the movie and book is that in the book, Andy set up a false identity and put all of his money under this false person. Andy explains this by saying "outside these walls, Red, there's a man that no living soul has ever seen face to face. He has a Social Security card and a Maine driver's license. He's got a birth certificate. Name of Peter Stevens." In the movie, Andy describes the fake identity he set up, saying the exact same thing. The only difference is that instead of his friend setting it up from the outside, Andy sets this fake person up from the inside of jail and instead of it being his money, it it the warden's dirty money. I found this to be a nice addition to the plot.

Point of View

The point of view also remains the same between the movie and book. Red tells the entire story from his point of view and from stories he has heard and things he has assumed. I still found Red to be a trustworthy narrator because although he committed murder, he is honest as he was "the only guilty man in Shawshank." One difference is that the narration did stray slightly from Red's perspective as the action of the story took place, but it always returned to the booming voice of Morgan Freeman, who plays Red, telling Andy's story. Red also does not include the part at the end about the story being "all about me, every damned word of it." Although this part is left out of the movie, the main theme of the caged bird is not taken out, but more of that is to come later.

Characterization

While watching the movie, I found myself realizing that the characterization throughout the story is more indirect that direct. The characters are developed more through stories and happenings in the story rather than by Red just saying "they [the sisters] are to prison society what the rapist is to the society outside the walls." While some direct characterization is present i feel that the indirect characterization, such as the sisters brutally raping and beating Andy, has more of an impact on the viewer than the direct. I believe that for the movie, this works because the viewer will become more sympathetic and understanding when they see a brutal act going on rather than just hearing one being retold. One similarity in characterization is Red and Andy being foil characters. I feel that this is portrayed even more strongly in the movie because you can see how they work together and keep each other going. For instance, Andy's endless hope and Red's hopelessness. These two characters allow the story to be dynamic and interesting because of their contrasting views and attitudes.

Setting

The settings in the book and short story are also similar, but I felt that the movie was much more vivid and easier to follow the setting as expected with a movie. The remake of the movie from the book followed the setting in the book well. The exercise yard, showers/bathrooms, library, laundry room, and outside world followed the book in a precise manner. One additional setting in the movie is "Zihuatanejo." In the book, Red only speaks about this place saying "I hope the Pacific is as blue as it has been in my dreams," but he never actually makes it to the Pacific in the book as the story ends before the reader sees him reach his destination. In the movie, the Pacific and the beach at Zihuatanejo become a setting when Red reaches the Pacific and finds Andy. I believe that this setting added to the theme of freedom and a new life for Andy and Red.

Theme

For the most part I found the themes to be the same between the book and the movie. The movie not only followed the plot well, but it also portrayed the same themes. I found the biggest themes to be in the simile of the bird, comparing Andy to a bird who "is not meant to be caged." I found this theme of freedom to be very inspiring. Also, the theme of hope is still present in the movie, but the viewer gets to see Red and Andy's positive hope become a reality for the two. I also found some other major themes in the movie which I did not originally pick out during the short story. I found a theme of perseverance when Red said Andy "crawled through a river of shit and came out clean on the other side." Although Red is speaking about Andy escaping through the sewers, I also saw this as him saying that Andy had to go through much unhappiness and dirty business, but in the end, he came out clean and happy. I also picked up on the theme of friendship in the most unlikely place with two unlikely people, as this is what Red and Andy's friendship is all about.

"Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption"

"Remember that hope is a good thing, Red, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies."

SPOILER ALERT!!!

Plot

Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption while a rather long short story is stuffed full with plot. Red, the narrator jumps back and forth from story to story, not one of them lacking in information or interest. Red's stories leading up to the surprise ending are full of details, whether it be Andy's fights with the sisters and being beaten "within an inch of his life," inside information on the wardens, or the successes and failures of prison escapes, Red knew it all. This knowledge of prison life from the time he entered to the time he was paroled allow Red as the narrator to help the story to progress and to effectively produce the story as an interesting page turner for all readers. The organization of the story allows the reader to get the information in the same manner that Red received information. His experience in receiving information often comes in bits and pieces, but he gives it to the reader as a whole so they may better understand the full situation.

"I was saying that I'd only ask three beers apiece for my co-workers, if that seems fair," Andy said. "I think a man feels more like a man when he's working out of doors in the springtime if he can have a bottle of suds. That's only my opinion. It would go down smooth, and I'm sure you'd have their gratitude" (page 46).

While reading this story, I spotted one major turning point within the plot. This was when Andy spoke up to the warden and said that he could help to fix his problem with the government taking away his money. The turning point occurs when Andy requests that his coworkers be given "three beers apiece." I found this as a major turning point because it is placing Andy on the same level as the prison guards and the warden in some ways. Although they do not see it this way, it gives Andy certain privileges that other prisoners are not allowed. Ultimately, it is because of these privileges (i.e. his own cell, building up the library, possible access to layouts of the building, and being protected from heavy searches of his room and from other inmates) that Andy is able to dig his way out of prison.

Point of View

"I'll tell you what I know and what I think; that's about all I can do, isn't it?"

-I find this quote to sum up Red pretty darn well. He constantly shares everything he knows, not leaving anything out. If this doesn't make for the perfect re-teller of a story, I don't know what does.

By telling "Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption" from the point of Red's perspective, the reader is given the full story from times before Andy was imprisoned and after. The perspective and views of many people are revealed through Red because he is "the guy who can get it for you." This also lets Red in on many happenings within the prison as he is well known and important in the prison. this perspective also allows the reader to know exactly what happened to Andy after he escaped. Red is also a credible source because he states when stories may contain some rumors and when his re-tellings were experienced first hand. Ultimately, Red is the best narrator because he was closest to Andy.

Throughout the story, the reader is led to believe that this story is about Andy and his freedom, but it is at the end that Red reveals the real reason behind telling Andy's story. He says that it is because "Andy was the part of [him] they could never lock up." In other words, this story was to express Red's fears and excitements about freedom and the challenges he would face. It was to express all of the things Red wishes he could have done and all of the people he wishes he could have stood up to. It is ultimately a story of freedom and being uncaged, therefore Red makes the perfect narrator as he expresses all of the rejoicing and happiness he feels within himself when Andy and hopefully himself are set free.

Characterization

Throughout this story, Red introduces many minor characters through direct and indirect characterization. For instance, the Sisters are introduced with a mixture of direct and indirect characterization. Red says, "they're (the sisters) are usually long-timers, doing hard bullets for brutal crimes." This shows direct characterization as Red is describing the sisters directly. While he states over and over again that the sisters are brutal rapists, it is not until he describes one particular situation when Andy stood up against the sisters threatening to bite off certain things, that the reader is shown the true brutality and personalities of the sisters. Red introduces the many wardens and other prisoners in the same fashion.

The two main characters in this story are Red and Andy Dufresne. These two characters help to illuminate the characteristics in each other. They are strong foil characters as Red is the "man who can get anything," while Andy "had a reputation for being a snob." Red was ready to make deals with people, he was talkative and friendly. Andy would rather be left alone to go about his own business. While both characters are open about the reasons they have been imprisoned, Andy is innocent, while Red is guilty. Also, Andy is positive and hopeful toward freedom. Red is scared of the outside world and even says that he is "an institutional man." These differences allow the two characters to get along and to illuminate each other's characteristics.

Setting

"Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption" is set in a prison for the majority of the story. The different setting within the prison, the cell, the exercise yard, the library, the laundry room, the bathrooms, and the roof, reveal to the reader in some ways as to what is going to take place. For instance, the laundry room is often a place for the Sisters to rape inmates and Andy, so when this setting is introduced, the reader can suspect what is going to happen next. The library is a place where Andy is protected and in his comfort zone. The exercise yard is often where Andy's and Red's interactions take place. All of these different settings come together to produce the story as a whole.

The outside world while talked about often does not become part of the major setting until the end of the story after Andy escapes and Red is released. At this point in time, it becomes an essential part of the work as a whole. The outside world is seen by Red as a place of uncertainty and terror. It is a place where he is no longer "the guy who can get it for you." This change in plot also marks an important change in the character of Red. While he was afraid of nothing and hopeless of freedom on the inside, on the outside, he shows hope for a new life and freedom.

"I hope Andy is down there... I hope the Pacific is as blue as it has been in my dreams. I hope."

Theme

Theme is possibly one of the most difficult aspects of a story to narrow down.

One theme that I felt the narrator laid out clearly was the theme of rejoicing for

things being set free.

"Some birds are not meant to be caged, that's all... And the part of you that knows

it was wrong to imprison them in the first place rejoices, but still, the place where

you live is that much more drab and empty for their departure" (page 101).

This quote pretty much sums up the theme of this whole section. The whole story

leads up to Andy's freedom and the enjoyment it causes among all of the

prisoners.

This theme also leads into the second theme I found inspiring during

this story which is a theme of hope. I found this theme throughout the story. When

Andy shows hope in getting out of prison and he speaks of moving to Zihuatanejo,

Mexico, he expresses hope for the future and hope for freedom. His hope also

ignites some hope in Red as when he gets out of prison, Andy is the only thing that

keeps him from going right back. He has "hope to see [his] friend and shake his

hand." I found this theme of hope to be very inspiring. If these two men can show a

ray of hope in the most difficult situations, then I should be able to express hope

within my daily life.

"This second type of guy knows there's no harm in hoping for the best as long as you're prepared for the worst."