While I never read the novella from Stephen King that this movie is based on, I have read his other works including the Dark Tower series, The Stand, Duma Key, and a few others. This story isn’t otherworldly, or horror inducing like most of his works are.
This movie in particular has always stood out to me for making me invested in everything about it, from its characters to the storyline. If it is ever on in the background during a family gathering, inevitably me and most of my siblings tend to just sit down and watch. The story follows themes of friendship, injustice, among others that really resonate with me.
Unjust imprisonment
The Shawshank Redemption is a story about Andy Dufresne, a banker who is sentenced to life in prison at Shawshank State Penitentiary for the murder of his wife and her lover, though he is innocent. Here, he meets and makes friends with other prisoners, some of whom have been there almost all of their lives.
Friendship
The story is narrated by “Red”, a contraband smuggler who befriends Andy and helps him get items, like a rock hammer, which Andy ends up using to dig through his cell wall over the years, unbeknownst to anyone else. Andy and Red develop a close friendship that spans over decades in (and eventually out) of prison, with Andy helping Red change his pessimistic views and showing him the light that is hope.
The power of hope
The prisoners that Andy befriends are shown to be more than just criminals — they are people like anyone else. They are relatable and sympathetic. More than that, Andy himself is determined, loyal, and has integrity. He is victimized throughout the movie, subjected to some of the worst things imaginable, and yet he keeps his hope alive and inspires other convicts to find the good in the bad, and to be hopeful.
Storytelling practices
This story, while certainly not a Pixar one, does follow one of the rules of storytelling, according to the list storyboard artist Emma Coats shared.
Rule #16: What are the stakes? Give us reason to root for the character. What happens if they don’t succeed? Stack the odds against.
The stakes for Andy is that he spends the rest of his life in Shawshank, a prison full of corrupt guards, and an even more sinister warden. If he doesn’t succeed, the rest of his life will pass him by, and he will continue to be brutalized by rapists, sequestered in solitary confinement, forced to do taxes for the guards as well as “fixing” the book for the warden of the prison, who at most, sees him as a tool to be used. We want to root for Andy because he shows an unshakeable confidence that he will get out somehow.
Besides that rule, Ashley Fell’s 4 I’s – Interest, Involve, Instruct, and Inspire work with The Shawshank Redemption, too.
Interest
We are interested in what Andy does now that he is in prison for a crime he did not commit.
Involve
The problems that arise from being inside a prison, being victimized, as well having no one believe you are issues that most in the audience can sympathize with. Anyone watching will be invested in seeing what Andy does next.
Instruct
While the movie is focused on Andy with Red narrating, we are taught about integrity, hope, and determination. While there may be moments where Andy despairs?, he always carries a respect for himself, and the hope that he will see the outside world again. His determination to make life better for himself and others inside the prison is always present.
Inspire
Andy’s unending determination to become a free man, and the honest goodness in his heart for his fellow inmates and friends is what makes Andy so likeable and memorable. He is clever, kind, and always has a plan. Those who watch the film would be moved to be both more sympathetic to others, and to have hope in the face of adversity.
Closing
This is a movie that I highly recommend, as it is one of the most engaging and heartfelt I have seen. It’s easy to forget that even in difficult times, hope is one of the most powerful emotions to help see you through your journey.
EXSM 3989 - Digital Storytelling Class Blog 