Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption

PLOT

Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption is a narrative with a compilation of flashbacks and anecdotes of the two main characters, Red and Andy Dufresne. "Getting a pass out of Shawshank when you've got murder stamped on your admittance-slip is slow work, as slow as a river eroding a rock (26)." This line sums up the rising action of this short story; the prison life of Red, Andy Dufresne, and the other inmates at Shawshank Prison moves by slowly, and the reading of the story during this part of the plot moves slowly as well with small conflicts between the inmates and the warden. The climax follows with an element of shock and satisfaction for the reader when Andy Dufresne - a man who claims his innocence from the beginning - successfully makes his prison escape after serving 27 years in Cell 14 of Cellblock 5. "In 1975, Andy Dufresne escaped from Shawshank. He hasn't been recaptured, and I don't think he ever will be (84)." The falling action includes Red's explanation of his thoughts regarding Andy's escape; the truth behind the climax is revealed through the rising action, but is only understood after the climax has taken place. The resolution includes Red's decision to break his parole and go live in peace with his best friend, Andy Dufresne. "I think it is the excitement that only a free man can feel, a free man starting a long journey whose conclusion is uncertain (107)."


POINT OF VIEW

"There's a guy like me in every state and federal prison in America, I guess - I'm the guy who can get it for you (15)." This short story is written in first person point of view. Red is the narrator and writes a narrative of his life experience as an inmate in Shawshank Prison. Because the story is written in first person point of view, the reader must consider the human tendency of selective memory when it comes to details. On the other hand, King's use of first person point of view gives the story credibility in that it is coming directly from the source. "It's all about me, every damned word of it. Andy was the part of me they could never lock up, the part of me that will rejoice when the gates finally open for me and I walk out in myu cheap suit with my twenty dollars of mad-money in my pocket. That part of me will rejoice no matter how old and broken and scared the rest of me is (100)." This quote sums up the point of view of the story. Red admits that the story has a lot to do with Andy; however, Andy's appearance in the story has as much to do with Andy Dufresne as it has to do with Red.






CHARACTERIZATION

Red is characterized indirectly through his own narrative. Though the story focuses on Andy Dufresne and his escape, this metaphorically represents Red's ideals and his inner self. Throughout this short story, Andy displays confidence with his slight smile (which is frequently mentioned throughout the story) which represents the idea that the wardens were never successful at completely breaking this part of Red. Andy Dufresne, the protagonist, is obvioulsy another main character in this story. "Andy Dufresne always seemed to have his act together. There was none of that sullen desperation about him that seems to afflict most lifers after awhile; you could never smell hoplessness on him (56)." Red directly characterizes Andy throughout the story. Through his descriptions of Andy, Red also reveals the truth about himself.






SETTING

The main setting of the story is the Shawshank Prison in Maine. "I came to Shawshank when I was twenty (15)," and Red remained an inmate of the prison until 1977. The setting remains in one place for 57 years, which is symbolic of the idea of being trapped and institutionalized. Shawshank prison is filled with the hope of inmates that will get out someday and experience freedom, which brings the reader to another setting in the story, a small but fairly important one. Zihuatanejo is a city in Mexico where Andy escapes to in order to start up his own resort. Eventually, Red escapes to this city as well. Andy first mentions Zihuatanejo in prison eight years before his escape which comes to symbolize freedom, hope, and a desire achieved by determination.

THEME

"I hope Andy is down there. I hope I can make it across the border. I hope to see my friend and shake his hand. I hope the Pacific is as blue as it has been in my dreams. I hope (107)." One of the most prominent themes in this short story is hope. Hope is what keeps the inmates alive; the idea that someday they will get to experience pure freedom. Another - not quite as uplifting theme - is that of isolation. "Twenty days on the grain and drain train for Andy down there in solitary. It was his second jold in solitary, and his dust-up with Norton was his first real black mark since he had joined our happy family (66)." Solitary is a recurring punishment throughout Red and Andy's time in Shawshank. Shawshank prison symbolizes the solitary lives of the inmates through their isolation. Because of the isolation experienced by the inmates during their time in prison, hope is a necessary part of them being able to survive their years of boredom and violence.