The Shawshank Redemption Film Comparison ECM 11

1a) Andy Dufresne (Hero) Characteristics: crafty, smart, headstrong, sly, fearless, benders of truth/liar, determined, quiet, ambitious Characteristics: crafty, smart, headstrong, sly, fearless, benders of truth/liar, determined, quiet, ambitious Summary of Andy’s story: Summary of Andy’s story: Arrested for murdering his wife and her lover, sent to prison for life. Arrested for murdering his wife and her lover, sent to prison for life. Was beaten and raped by Bogs for the first two years in prison. Was beaten and raped by Bogs for the first two years in prison. When Andy helps Captain Hadley with his taxes, Andy begins to help all the guards with their taxes – the guards return the favour by stopping Bogs from attacking Andy anymore. When Andy helps Captain Hadley with his taxes, Andy begins to help all the guards with their taxes – the guards return the favour by stopping Bogs from attacking Andy anymore. Andy begins helping Warden Norton to launder money. Andy begins helping Warden Norton to launder money. Andy created a new library for the prison. He helped other inmates get their GED’s. Andy created a new library for the prison. He helped other inmates get their GED’s. Andy digs a tunnel in his cell wall, which is escaped out of after 19 years in prison. Andy digs a tunnel in his cell wall, which is escaped out of after 19 years in prison. Once freed, he steals all of Warden Norton’s money and goes to Mexico. Once freed, he steals all of Warden Norton’s money and goes to Mexico.

1b) Warden Norton (Villain) Characteristics: ignorant, cocky, cheater, shit-disturber, slimy prick, scammer, murder accomplice, fake religious, fraud, stupid, put trust in the wrong person Characteristics: ignorant, cocky, cheater, shit-disturber, slimy prick, scammer, murder accomplice, fake religious, fraud, stupid, put trust in the wrong person Summary of the Warden’s story: Summary of the Warden’s story: Warden at Shawshank Prison. He uses Andy for free tax advice, getting Andy to launder money so he is not caught. Warden at Shawshank Prison. He uses Andy for free tax advice, getting Andy to launder money so he is not caught. He stops Tommy from telling the authorities that Andy is innocent by having Tommy killed. He stops Tommy from telling the authorities that Andy is innocent by having Tommy killed. He stops Andy from getting released from prison (therefore stopping him from telling people that Norton is a theft) by threatening Andy with harder jail time. He stops Andy from getting released from prison (therefore stopping him from telling people that Norton is a theft) by threatening Andy with harder jail time. When Norton discovers that Andy has escaped, he is terrified that Andy will tell. When Norton discovers that Andy has escaped, he is terrified that Andy will tell. When Andy does tell the paper about Norton’s crimes, Norton commits suicide instead of going to prison. When Andy does tell the paper about Norton’s crimes, Norton commits suicide instead of going to prison.

1c) Red (Hero’s companion) Characteristics: old, wise, knows how to get things, go to guy, funny, nice, reliable, confident, afraid of ‘freedom’, sneaky, clever Characteristics: old, wise, knows how to get things, go to guy, funny, nice, reliable, confident, afraid of ‘freedom’, sneaky, clever Summary of Red’s story: Summary of Red’s story: Has been in prison for 20 years for murder when the film begins. Has been in prison for 20 years for murder when the film begins. He is the man who knows how to get things, he pays off guards and other prisoners to get items from the outside. He is the man who knows how to get things, he pays off guards and other prisoners to get items from the outside. Quickly becomes friends with Andy, and helps him with the library, his tax services, and offers advice. Quickly becomes friends with Andy, and helps him with the library, his tax services, and offers advice. Red loses hope of how life out of prison will be, until Andy escapes. Red loses hope of how life out of prison will be, until Andy escapes. After 40 years in prison, Red convinces the parole board to let him go. After 40 years in prison, Red convinces the parole board to let him go. He breaks his parole and travels to the spot Andy told him to go and travels to Mexico to meet Andy. He breaks his parole and travels to the spot Andy told him to go and travels to Mexico to meet Andy.

2a) Revenge (Andy’s) Why: Wrongfully imprisoned and the warden prevented Andy was being released. Killed Tommy. Why: Wrongfully imprisoned and the warden prevented Andy was being released. Killed Tommy. Who: Warden Norton Who: Warden Norton How: Took his money, got him arrested – sold him out, ruined his plan, got him to commit suicide. How: Took his money, got him arrested – sold him out, ruined his plan, got him to commit suicide.

2b) Freedom Escape from Prison: Andy escaped from prison through 5 miles of sewer. He dug a hole in the cell wall for 20 years. Used a rock hammer. Escape from Prison: Andy escaped from prison through 5 miles of sewer. He dug a hole in the cell wall for 20 years. Used a rock hammer. Escape while in Prison: listen to music, carved rocks, created a library, did the officers books, got people their high school education Escape while in Prison: listen to music, carved rocks, created a library, did the officers books, got people their high school education Freedom from needing Revenge: Just a bonus – just happy to get their freedom Freedom from needing Revenge: Just a bonus – just happy to get their freedom

2c) Imprisonment Life in Prison: Rape, isolation – in the hole, yelled at, food – maggots, beat up, wasn’t allowed to do what he wanted when he wanted Life in Prison: Rape, isolation – in the hole, yelled at, food – maggots, beat up, wasn’t allowed to do what he wanted when he wanted How it changed Andy: Still crazy, little more smarter, more creative, richer, happier, become a criminal. How it changed Andy: Still crazy, little more smarter, more creative, richer, happier, become a criminal.

2d) Betrayal Why: Warden – put him in the hole instead of letting him have a new trial. Officer – Killed Tommy Why: Warden – put him in the hole instead of letting him have a new trial. Officer – Killed Tommy How: Warden, Officer How: Warden, Officer Result: Warden – arrested and suicide. Officer – arrested. Result: Warden – arrested and suicide. Officer – arrested.