Reading Journal#1. Rita Hayworth and Shawsank Redemption

 

Character Analysis in ‘Rita Hayworth and Shawsank Redemption’

After reading ‘Rita Hayworth and Shawsank Redemption’, many students complained about ‘expectable’ endings; why would Andy get a rockhound and a poster if he was not to escape from the Shawsank? Actually, their complaints are quite reasonable. In fact, the word ‘redemption’ was directly used for the name of the story itself. Then why has this story been praised and admired so much? Though I could not defend the greatness of Shawsank Redemption in class, now I can explain how Andy and other prisoners have affected my view toward hope and institutionalization.

When I watched the Shawsank Redemption, I understood the theme of the story as hope and institutionalization: I actually first watched the film a few years ago. This theme was well presented in the film by comparing four characters: Brooks, Tommy, Andy and Red. In the novella, these characters are not depicted as clearly as in the film, because the film had to show the situations and thoughts through scenes and actors while the novel could flexibly use the narrator, Red, and make Andy more mysterious. I think the each way of illustration has both weak and strong points, but I would like to reflect the way of the film as its first impression is deeply carved inside me.

Brooks Hatlen has been a librarian in Shawsank for 20 years. He was one of the few educated prisoners. Although he is introduced only briefly in the novel, Brooks is quite an important character in the movie. Brooks is a prisoner who has been perfectly institutionalized: He is an important person in the prison, and he does not complain about the poor and forceful environment anymore. Like Red said, he has been trained to like the Shawsank, and has been kicked out when he lost the last probability of being useful in the outside world. He is afraid and nervous about being paroled; he even tried to commit a crime again to go back. To Brooks, the prison was his life and he didn’t expect anything about the change or freedom. He exemplifies the victims who were taken away the lives and were returned when they were institutionalized.

 Tommy Williams is a young prisoner who admires Andy. He is a habitual thief, and has been in various prisons. He settles himself the prison and Andy helped him for the test of high school diploma. One day, he hears about why Andy came in the Shawsank: the teller was Red in the film and a laundry partner in the novel. In the original story, Tommy is simply a guy who gives a piece of proof that Andy is innocent, but the movie goes further about Tommy. While Andy is in the solitary, Tommy receives his high school diploma. However, a few days later, he is killed by Hadley, because Norton does not want Tommy being witness for Andy. Unlike Brooks, Tommy still has a dream to receive the high school diploma and to become a good father and husband: Andy is both his mentor and his role model. He wants prepare in the prison and restart his life when he goes out. Yet, his dream is sacrificed by warden who needs Andy for ‘the laundry’. The fundamental reason why Tommy could not make his goal is because the wardens’ indifference and ignorance toward the individual lives of prisoners. If wardens understand that the prisoners are also humans, one’s fathers, brothers, and sons, there would not be frustrated people such as Brooks and Tommy.

 Andy Dufresne, the protagonist, reminds hope and freedom to cons, and he makes his way to freedom. Though he has not murdered his wife, his innocence is not the only reason for his hope and eagerness to freedom. He actually thinks he has killed her wife indirectly, by being cold to his wife and having let her leave. The real thing that supports Andy to dream is his belief and capacity. He says, “Hope is a good thing, and good thing never disappears.” He believes he can go to Zihuatenejo in some day, and he is ready to wait. Moreover, he is the only man who really acts out to be free; maybe that is why Andy can be referred as a hero. He shifted his position in the prison by managing the tax returns of wardens. The reason why Andy is an admirable and not so expectable character is combination of his patience, strong belief, and his own capability.

Finally, Red is not only a narrator but also a close friend with Dufresne in the movie. He has lived in the Shawsank for 40 years, which is long enough to lose all the expectations and hopes just like Brooks did. However, Red realizes the value of hope and freedom from Andy. At first, he recommends Andy give up any hope, but later Andy proves that dream can come true by escaping from the Shawsank. After the redemption, Red misses Andy, but admits that some people want and have enough right for freedom. After Red is paroled, Red lives in a hotel room where Brooks has lived. Red is afraid and unfamiliar with the outside world just like Brooks. However, unlike Brooks, Red has a reason for living; he wants to keep the promise with Andy, and find his friend again. On the way to Zihuatenejo, Red finally realizes the value of freedom and hope. Red is not as educated or clever as Andy, but he is able to overcome the institutionalization because of his great friend.

 These four people can express the four characters of general people: some are passive about their fate, some want to escape but be frustrated, some lead the changes, and some succeed by meeting a great mentor. Most people are similar with Brooks; they just yield to the present thinking, ‘That’s the way it is.’ However, a few people like Andy Dufresne challenge to make difference and make the world better. ‘Rita Hayworth and Shawsank Redemption’ reminds people who give up before any trial that the dreams and hope can free us from frustration.