The Shawshank Redemption A Discussion

Beginning Scenes What happens to Andy Dufresne and Red? What do we learn of Andy's and Red's characters?

Introduction to Shawshank How was the setting of the movie created? Think about the music played while showing the prison and the shots used. What do the “new fish” have to endure at the hands of the warden, the guards, and the other inmates?

Degradation What does Andy endure in the first few years? Be accurate and specific. How does this build the character of Andy?

The Rooftop Scene What do you learn about dignity, courage and hope from this scene?

The Guards Throughout the film, there are several instances of guard brutality. Do you think this still happens? If so, how do you feel about it? Is some physical form of punishment acceptable? Andy earns the good graces of most of the guards by offering tax advice and other financial planning. In what ways did that benefit him?

Bogs In the DVD, during the Director commentary, he states that it is important to understand that Bogs was not a homosexual, he was a rapist. What do you think of that statement? Captain Hadley avenges Andy by severely beating Bogs. Was that justice? Why do you think he did that?

The Library What does the library represent to Andy? Think about time, education, friends, music and hope.

Music Why do you think Andy locked himself in and broadcast the Mozart music? Do you think it was worth it? Why or why not?

Andy Andy helps dozens of his fellow inmates obtain their high-school diplomas. What does this suggest about his character? What items in Andy’s cell represent his character?

Red In Stephen King’s novel, Morgan Freeman’s character, Red, is a Caucasian Irishmen. What did you think of the decision to change that character to an African-American? Does it add to the story? Andy and Red develop a close friendship throughout the film, during a period in time (1950-1965) when segregation was still common. What aspects of each of their character do you think helped bring them together?

Brooks In the movie, Brooks is referred to as an “institutional man.” What does this mean? Is this possible for students entering “the real world”? What symbolism does Brooks’ pet bird, Jake, stand for? Brooks refers to Shawshank as home before he commits suicide. Explain. Why is Brooks important to the film?

Warden Norton Andy helped Warden Norton create a fake person, Randall Stevens, and helped him fix the books, illegally laundering money. Given that he was a prisoner and would be punished if he didn’t, do you think it was ethical for him to do so? Why or why not? Did he have a choice? Why or why not? Was it ethical for Andy to take the money the Warden had intended for himself? Why or why not? At what point in the movie did you believe that Andy was innocent? Why did you draw that conclusion? Since the Warden wouldn’t listen to him and he was innocent, do you think it was ethical for Andy to escape? Why or why not? Why did Norton have Tommy killed? Why is Norton important to the film?

Red’s Freedom Why did Red change his speech to the parole committee the last time? Do you think he would have been freed if he hadn’t? Explain.

The Ending What happens at the end of the film? What message does it send to society?

Tagline “Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.”

Justice and Redemption In what respects is justice finally achieved in the movie? Comment. To what does The Shawshank Redemption refer? Who was redeemed? Who was the cause or impetus of the redemption?

The Ocean Why does the Pacific Ocean have such appeal to Andy?

Christian Parable? The film's dominant themes of hope, original sin, redemption, salvation, and faith in the afterlife have led some critics to interpret the film as a Christian parable. Some Christian reviewers have referred to it as a film "true to Christian principles." If so, how does the warden play into these lessons? In the director's commentary track on the tenth anniversary DVD, Darabont denies any intent to create such a parable, and calls such interpretations of the film 'fantastic'. Others have also pointed out that the film's tidy dispatching of its principal antagonists would seem to have more to do with Old Testament retribution than New Testament redemption. In addition, Andy's destruction of a Bible to enable his escape hints at a more pragmatic outlook.

Conflicts and Power Prisoners vs Guards Andy vs Norton The Sisters vs other prisoners The Prisoners vs the outside world Norton/Hadley vs the Law Others?

Ideas Redemption Justice and Injustice Hope, Institutionalism, and Freedom Humanity and Inhumanity Others?