Coming Soon: The Lottery

Plot

I decided to choose "The Lottery" for my short story adaptation because I think much could be done in line with the theme and because it had a scary theme which I think would help to involve the audience. In terms of plot, I thought the way it was set up in the short story was adequate for a story, but for a movie, much would need to be added. I think that before the surprise ending of what the Lottery really is, there would need to be some background on the town itself and the individual characters as well. If I was making "The Lottery" into a movie, I would not begin the story with the lottery, but instead would follow the town and the workings of the individual families before the lottery. I think this would add more sympathy for the characters and the way in which they live. I also think this would allow the viewer to see the extent of the blind acceptance of this long-standing tradition. In terms of the lottery part of the plot, I think I would keep most of it the same. I would add more dialogue between the characters during this section, but keep most of the plot the same.

Point of View

While reading the short story, I liked the 3rd person omniscient point of view and I think I would keep this for the movie. Many movies may begin and end in a specific point of view, but the between is difficult to pinpoint exactly what the point of view is. This is how I would design this film. I would start off jumping from person to person like the whole town was telling the story, but would progress into the action and because of this, the point of view would be lost. This is common in most movies because the audience does not want to sit and listen to people telling the story, they want action. For this reason, I would have the point of view fade in and out, so that the audience doesn't get bored, but they still pick up on the theme of the whole town being in on this long-standing tradition. These changes may cause the audience to lose some of the theme of the blind acceptance, but I think for the most part, this theme would not be lost.

Characterization

I liked the indirect characterization of the characters in "The Lottery" and would keep it this way in the movie adaptation. Through conversations and actions, I would reveal small snippets of the characters personalities so the audience could meet the characters rather than being told about them. Some changes with characterization would be that the audience would get to meet the characters before the day of the lottery, so they would get to see them in everyday life. I think this would enhance the short story, because instead of just seeing the characters in a stressful situation, the audience would get to see them when they are normal. This would help to illuminate the theme of blind acceptance because it would show that in everyday life, these people are normal, but because of this tradition, they turn into monsters. I think this would add to the work also because the audience would be able to better relate to the characters as they go through everyday life rather than just believing these people are crazy killers.

Setting

In my adaptation of the short story, the setting would be much more complex. In the short story, the only setting is June 27th on a clear and sunny day and the town square. In the movie, there would be more complex and stereotypical settings of a small town. For example, a town court house in the square and a clock tower. The houses would also reflect stereotypes of small towns. This would add to the meaning because it would emphasize the small town and the people/society being cut off from other influences and technologies. They were very old fashioned in the story and I think setting could help to show this. I would also emphasize the fact that they are cut off from other people who could influence the town to stop the brutality in their tradition.

Theme

Because the themes of "The Lottery" were the main part of the story that caused me to like this story while also being scared by it, I would try to change the themes as little as possible. I would be sure to still convey the theme of blind acceptance of traditions and accepting what authority tells you to do. I found these themes to be true even today and I think they are very important to the story. I would do this by keeping it so mostly everyone accepts the tradition, even the victims family members. I would still include the scene where the Adams mention stopping the lottery, but like in the story, it will be a small detail which passes quickly. Through the plot and setting, I would convey the old-fashion ways of the town which also help to establish the theme. by only making slight changes to the story while adding much on, I think the themes and meanings could remain and even enhance the short story.

"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."