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.

"Miss Brill" by Katherine Mansfield

Miss Brill is an elderly lady. She cannot cope with how her body has transformed into such an older woman. Miss Brill likes to think about where her life is heading in the sense that she goes through the same routine every single day. This is a sort of comfort zone for herself. She listens to other conversations because it gives her insight into the lives of other people. In some cases, lives of the young people that remind her of what her life used to be like before she began to turn old and gray. She likes to think that she is in play along with the rest of the people in her town. Maybe this signifies that she was once an actress of desired to be an actress during one point in her life.
*Question 3

"Once Upon a Time" by Nadine Gordimer

I can see why the woman does not write children's books. I also do not think that this story could ever be passed as a children's book either. I believe that this story portrays a family who stopped truly living. They became crazy and histerical over the idea of intruders and thieves. Their lives were solely based around the idea of protecting themselves, which ended up hurting them in the long run. Their little boy ended up dying to their extreme precautions to the dangers of the neighborhood. This story is ironic in the fact that the thing that was supposed to protect them the most, killed their son. The parents only thought of keeping people out, they never thought about those who were living within.

"A Worn Path" by Eudora Welty

I feel that Phoenix is not mentally stable/sane. I wondered if she had alzheimer's throughout the story, which would explain some of her unique behavior/actions. Is her grandson really still alive? Or is she living through memories? I feel that Phoenix is living through the past and just going through an old daily routine. She stumbles her way in to town everyday. Granny is also very "stiff" when receiving money at the end of the story, which I found to be odd. Phoenix is an interesting character throughout this work.

"Eveline" by James Joyce

I feel that Eveline is a sympathetic character. She sympathizes with her father even though he isn't the greatest dad in the world, and she also thinks that he's going to start abusing her; however, she stays with him. She feels guilty leaving him for her own pleasure because she has promised her mother that she would look after the family. I don't think that Eveline really loved Frank. She might have been in love with the idea of loving him, but she didn't have any true feelings for him when she stayed back. She says in the story that she could learn to love him. Ultimately, he was her way out of her depressing lifestyle, but she realized the importance of her promise. Eveline's father and Miss Gavan do not show any affection for her. She is simply there and they depend on her to always be there to do her job; however, they never recognize her for all the work she does. Eveline has a less than desirable lifestyle seeing as she works for and dedicates her life to helping others who take advantage of her.
*Question 2

"Bartleby the Scrivener" by Herman Melville

Turkey, Nippers and Ginger Nut are introduced before Bartleby because they are stable employees at the man's work. The narrator introduces the characters chronologically. Bartleby's comment of "I would prefer not to" upsets the balance of the lawyer and his employees. The chain of command is broken in a sense. The lawyer expects all his employess to obey him as any boss would. Bartleby takes advantage of the fact that the lawyer is fond of him. This incident also lessens the appearance of power that the lawyer has. The employees are not exactly thrilled about the situation either. They know that if they would have spoken out in this way they would have been fired immediately.

"Hunters in the Snow" by Tobias Wolff 2

My opinion of these characters change throughout the story. At the beginning, I felt sympathy for Tub because he is constantly picked on and put down. However, as the story goes on Tub ends up shooting his friend and assisting in leaving him to die. I believe that Frank and Tub went a different direction on purpose. They even said in the story that they didn't have the directions, but they remembered the way. This leads me to think that it was done on purpose. They have found happiness with a friendship between the two of them. With three people, one person was always left out or the butt of all the jokes. They've taken one out of the picture and solved their problem.

"Hunters in the Snow" by Tobias Wolff

I find Frank to be the most sympathetic character; he truly feels sorry after Tub confronts him about his rude remarks. Frank also comforts Tub after he feels terrible about shooting Kenny. I feel that at the end of the story, I personally had more sympathy for Kenny. Although he somewhat instigated Tub, Kenny was completely neglected on the way to the "hospital." I think Tub's name gives us a sense of his character. The reader can infer that Tub is a chubby man that enjoys food and is usually trailing behind. The purpose of the scene in which Frank and Tub stop at the tavern for food and coffee is to establish their change in feelings toward Kenny. They are tired of being put down by Kenny (Frank with the babysitter and Tub being overweight), so they take advantage of his physical incapabilities.

"Everyday Use" by Alice Walker

Dee's new name and costume signify her change as a person. She is ashamed of her past and ready for a change. Her change of name and costume are also cause to believe that she is now married. This change also is significant in that Dee is no longer the perfect daughter that gets everything and anything from her Mama. Mama has now realized that Maggie is also deserving of the keepsakes. Dee's concern for her heritage shows that she is maturing. This also leads me to think that she is married or considering it. Also, the mother's refusal to let Dee have the quilts indcate a permanent change of character because she does not back down; Maggie is beginning to become a bigger part of the picture.

A Rose for Emily by William Faulkner

This story is structured more sparatically than the others. Faulkner moves through time with the use of flashbacks as well as present action. Emily is a very secretive character. She likes to keep to herself and does not like many people in her life; hence, she has one man that comes and brings her groceries and she killed the only other man that she was close to. The plot of this story is foreshadowed when the young man is seen entering her house one night, but no one notices him leaving. The final paragraph of the story gives the reader a real understanding of Emily. If the reader had received this info at the beginning, then they wouldn't have the background knowledge to tie everything together. At the beginning, I felt that she was this poor, innocent, lonely old lady; however, I realized that this was definitely not the case.

Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri

The central conflict in this short story is being involved in an unhappy marriage. Both Mr. Kapasi and Mrs. Das find themselves in a marriage which lacks sufficient joy and happiness. The two desire someone better who would be able to connect with them on a deeper level. Mr. Kapasi gets more sympathy in this story due to the fact that his marriage was arranged. He cannot help the fact that he does not truly love his wife because he was forced into marrying her. On the other hand, Mrs. Das chose her husband and fell in love with him at a young age. Now she is regretting her hasty decision she made as a young and carefree eighteen year old. Mrs. Das losing Mr. Kapasi's address signifies lost hope. Mr. Kapasi must learn to love his wife and remain true to her.

How I Met my Husband by Alice Munro

The suspense in this story was generated through Edie's actions. The reader anticipates how others around her will react. There is a moment of suspense as Edie is trying own Mrs. Peebles' dress & she is discovered by Chris. There is also a moment of suspense when the ladies are questioning Edie about her relationship with Chris; after she describes their relationship, the reader is curious as to how his fiancee with react. Loretta Bird and Mrs. Peebles play a vital role in the short story; these two characters generates suspense throughout the story in response to Edie's actions. Edie is not a very sympathetic character although she does have her moments. She is not sympathetic to Chris' fiancee when she lies to her and tells her what happened between herself and Chris. Edie also fails to sympathize with Mrs. Peebles throughout the story; Edie is judges Mrs. Peebles with her choice of food and never really takes into consideration how Mrs. Peebles feels. On the other hand, Edie is sympathetic to the mailman who later becomes her husband; she continues to go to the door for a time just to give the mailman a smile and brighten his day.

Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka

Metamorphosis is a short story that represents the life of Franz Kafka. In the story, Gregor represents Kafka and the family members are representative of Kafka's family. Kafka leads up to the plot in this story by displaying the family's actions toward Gregor. Because Gregor is incapable of speaking to his family, Kafka uses action to demonstrate their feelings in place of dialogue. The story is written chronologically. This allows the reader to move through the story with a better understanding. This short story incapsulates Kafka's feelings about his own life through the life of Gregor Samsa. I found it interesting that the whole story was modeled very similarly to Kafka's life.