The Shawshank Redemption Part I

A: In the novella, author Stephen King opens with Red describing who he is and how he can get people anything in prison.

B: How and why do the filmmakers open the film adaptation?

What role does the opening diegetic song “I Didn’t Care” that Andy listens to in his car play?

A: Why do the filmmakers flash-forward to Andy’s trial but then flashback to events from that night?

B: What is the effect of this editing?

C: Explain Andy’s behavior/demeanor in court.

A: Why do the filmmakers pan over the jury?

B: What are the facts in Andy’s case?

C: How were Andy’s wife and her lover killed?

A: What choices do the filmmakers use as a motif at Red’s parole hearings? List them and explain their effect/meaning.

B: Why is Red rejected?

A: What point of view have the filmmakers used until now?

B: What point of view does the film use now? Why? Note that this voiceover is how the novella begins.

A: What is the effect of the extreme long, aerial shot of Shawshank Prison?

B: What is implied in the high angle shots in this scene?

A: Why do the cons call the new arrivals fish? Explain this figurative language.

B: What do the cons bet on when new cons arrive? Why?

C: How is this action ironic? How does this action indirectly characterize them?

A: What are Red’s initial impressions of Andy? Why?

B: Once Red gets to know Andy, explain how Andy’s looks and actions initially deceived him?

What techniques do the filmmakers use to suggest the arrivals’ fear?