Choose one of the prompts below and respond to it based on what you watched earlier this week in The Shawshank Redemption and on what you read in the nonfiction articles we discussed.
Choice #1 (Hope/Fear): Consider the movie’s presentation of the themes of hope and fear. What do you think the director might have been trying to say about these themes—either as they exist separately or as they work together? In what ways do the characters and events in the movie show how hope and fear are intertwined? How effectively do you feel the movie portrays these themes? Why do you find the presentation effective/not effective?
Choice #2 (Prison Programs): One of the articles we read earlier this week spoke specifically to the topic of programs for inmates. This movie does that also. What do you think of the programs that existed at Shawshank Prison? Now, make a connection to real life. What types of prison programs would be most beneficial to prisoners? What role should programs play in prisons?
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The programs that were instituted within the walls of Shawshank Prison were, I believe, very effective. Because Andrew obtained much-needed library funds, many prisoners were able to receive higher education than they otherwise would not have. In today's prisons, I believe that both education and work-force experiences can be inevitably beneficial to ex-convicts. I also believe that a majority of prisoners today have lacked strong relationships and the emotional growth and understanding that comes from them. For this, I would recommend a mentoring program in which prisoners are matched up with an elder, ideally one who is caring, understanding, and able to provide life-lessons. I also believe that programs such as these should never be forced upon any individual. For most humans, especially those of a stubborn nature, the enforcement of ideas upon them only pushes them away. Because of this, allowing the prisoners the option of participation would most likely elicit a greater and more genuine response.
I think the presentation of Brooks' fate, as well as several of Andy's actions portray clear examples of how the director wanted Hope and Fear to be understood.
When Andy first arrives and is harrased by the sisters, the narrator (Red), makes a point to say that Andy was afraid and that he didn't think that he [Andy] would have survived the first two months of prison if he hadn't had hope.
Also, when Tommy [the most recent inmate] tells of his old cellmate who was really the murderer of Andy's wife and her lover, Andy is hopeful, and goes to the warden.
However, the warden will do nothing. Instead, he tries to squash Andy's hope by putting him in solitary [the hole] for two months. The warden also has Tommy killed after discovering the lengths that Tommy would be willing to go to save Andy.
Lastly, the conversation between Andy and Red about keeping their hope portrays hope as undying, yet hand in hand with fear. Andy states that he either needs to get busy living (hope) or get busy dying (fear). Andy's escape illuminates the directors motive for hope to triumph over fear in an almost paradoxical situation.
The death of Brooks also directly relates to the conversation between Andy and Red. Brooks had become what Red described as "institutionalized." In other words, he had lost his hope. Again the idea examined is that, when hope does not triumph, death conquers.
The programs at Shawshank obviously helped the inmates. One of these was the new library that Andy kept writing letters to get. Once the library was set up with newer books the inmates had a chance to go and read instead of making trouble out in the yard. This kept them quieter, and helped them learn. This library also gave prisoners a place to study for their high school diploma. One example of this was Tommy who pulled a C+ average on his test with the help of the library and Andy. Another program that probably benefited prisioners, but did not have exact results listed was that the warden gave everyone a Bible to read when they came.
I think some programs that are good for prisons today are group sessions and Bible groups. In group sessions inmates get a chance to talk together about problems they experience. Bible groups get them to read good literature and see the bigger picture.
The director of The Shawshank Redemption intertwined fear and hope into the movie to show that the two can coexist, but not in the same person. The main character, Andrew, was the only person shown in the movie that had hope. He lived to make it out of the prison and to go to Mexico to spend the rest of his days there. He had no fear when he talked to the guards because he had hope that he was going to make it out alive. The hope in Andrew’s life was what caused him to make an escape plan and to follow through with it. If he would have had any fear he would not have tried to escape, nor would have he tried to trick the Warden in fear of failure or death. The other inmates had fear. They feared the guards and the Warden. They did their best to be obedient and to not do anything that could have gotten them into trouble. The other inmates would not have had the nerve to tell the Warden what they thought of him or to walk up to a guard on a roof and start talking to him. Their fears kept them from doing what Andrew did, escape. Andrew drastically improved his lifestyle by tricking the Warden and escaping the prison with a new name and identity. Fear is what causes people to lose hope, holding on to hope casts out fear.
The initial programs that existed at Shawshank provided little lasting effect on the prisoners and didn't further their rehabilitation. However, within a few years, the prison had set up numerous programs, including outdoor work and working with lumber, which provided the prisoners with more responsibilities and more adaptable work. Also, through Andy's struggle, he managed to set up a working library which benefited the prisoners in numerous ways, including earning a GED by one in particular.
The types of prison programs should, without a doubt, include labor, as well as a continued education for those in need. The programs are also beneficial when the prisoners can interact within the society, securely, of course. By remaining in contact with the outside world, prisoners can continue to grow and develop at the same pace as the rest of the world, and will feel more prepared if released into the world alone. Also, as stated in Shawshank Redemption, prisoners like to have responsibility and feel important to the function of society. Therefore, these prisoners should be well-incorporated into jobs building their credit inside of the jail, which will, in turn, prepare them for a job of equal status if released. Overall, prison programs should seek to benefit the best intentions of prisoners and should also seek to improve their character, in order to decrease their likelihood of returning behind bars.
I felt that the prison programs offered within Shawshank by its officials were absolutely disgusting. The programs of menial labor for the sole benefit of the Warden’s wallet were ridiculous. While its hard to say how realistic it is that programs similar to Shawshank’s actually exist in today’s society, it is evident that the men and women within prisons both need and deserve some form of rehabilitation. It is easy to argue that the aforementioned individuals threw away their chance at life when they committed their alleged crimes; however, the necessity still exists. One of the least debatable facts of life is that all humans make mistakes and that we are essentially flawed creatures. Although I still believe people should receive proper and just punishment for their crimes, I do not think that they should be treated as savages. As with Brookes and almost Red, prisoners released after such long sentences no longer have any connection with the world. In reality time has continued all around them, however, it has stood still within their minds. The overwhelming sensation of loneliness and the fact that they become detached from the world makes life on the outside almost impossible. While I don’t necessarily suggest we resort to religious groups such as the IFI, I do believe it is necessary to provide both education, similar to Andy’s programs, and psychological preparation for these individuals. This will provide them with a solid foundation to begin rebuilding their lives on when they are released from the confines of prison.
In the beginning of the movie, there weren't any programs going on in the prison. However, when Andy took over the library, he started up many programs like GED classes. In my opinion, that program and those resembling it probably have the most lasting effect on the inmates. I think very highly of them, because they have the prisoners' best interests at heart. (As weird as that may sound).
Any programs that educate and change the prisoners' lives for the better, I fully support. Especially those programs including conversion to Christianity, support groups, educational groups, etc. These programs should all aim to readjust the prisoners' outlook on life, change their perspective and ultimately change the part of themselves that caused them to commit crimes. Those that are to be released should be prepared for the real world once they leave prison, so that they may live like law abiding citizens. Of course, all of this depends on whether the inmates taking part in these programs chooses to change his life for the better, and whether or not to utilize what they've learned once they return to society.
Hope and fear can be found in many different places. In Shawshank Redemption, fear and hope are central themes throughout the movie. The Shawshank Prison Andy arrives at is one devoid of hope.
Andy Dufresne is the epitome of all that is hope inside of Shawshank Prison. He serves as a beacon of hope for multiple inmates through the actions he performs and the programs he creates. While the hope he provides is not always initially clear, his deeds bring a new light to the inmates of Shawshank. His actions are indeed filled with fear at consequences, but Andy realizes that the hope he could bring trumps the fear he holds.
One of Andy's first actions of producing hope was on the roof of Shawshank's license plate factory while he, along with a group of inmates are tarring. When he approaches Captain Hadley, he no doubt fears the possible outcomes, but overcoming his fear in hopes of providing the other inmates with a time to kick back and enjoy what felt like time outside of prison, with a few beers, only possible to a free man, he gives the prisoners something to enjoy for a change. The "feeling of being free" as Red puts it, gave Andy the satisfaction of providing that sense of freedom.
Addressing the aspects of programs, when Andy created the library and gave inmates opportunities to better their education through his high school education program, he gave them a sliver of hope that they may be able to make something of themselves outside the prison walls.
Andy gives hope as Tommy's reading instructor. His gives hope to the inmates with books and music. Most of all, he gives Red hope. Even when outside of Shawshank, when Red is at his lowest, most hopeless point in the entire movie, Andy's words give Red the hope and courage to overcome his fears and troubles to seek out and join Andy in Mexico.
Fear, however, still remains in Shawshank even despite Andy's attempts to overcome. There is fear present in the forms of the Warden, Captain Hadley, and the sodomites; but most of all, there is a fear of change, a fear of the unknown outside of their walls.
The irony of this story, however, is Andy himself. The one man who is innocent within the walls, the one man who could hold the most resentment for his situation, is the man who ultimately makes the best of what is given to him to overcome his fears and find his own hope.
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