Olivia Lovito
2.16.17
Extra Credit
Shawshank Redemption
When Andy Dufresne takes his first few steps off of the dusty prison bus and onto the unfamiliar grounds of Shawshank Prison, there are lines of men awaiting his arrival. Many of the already convicted were there for personal entertainment ; to properly welcome the “fresh meat” you could say. Although, amongst the hundreds of convicts, one group happened to stand out. An assembly of four men were standing upright and observing the new inmates to find the weakest one in the crowd. Each man bet on a specific person they thought would “crack” on their first night in jail. Their cigarettes and weekly allowance was now at stake if their chosen newbee did not perform to the assigned task. …show more content…
The first instance in which he is put to the test is his first night spent in Shawshank. Not one word was uttered out of his mouth. No kind of complaining or distress was expressed which challenged the gambler’s predetermined reservations about Andy. After that, the “Sisters”, a group of gay men in the prison, find a liking for him and are relentless when their offers are turned down. Most would assume that after a series of life threatening beatings Andy would succumb to their demands, but once again, he challenges the perceptions put onto him and would rather be beaten than lose sight of who he really is. Aside from his two or three major threats at prison, Andy seems to do what he is told, keep to himself and contently work in the laundry. Life at Shawshank begins to turn around when one day, Andy feels confident enough to ask the contraband expert, Red, if he can get him a sledge hammer. The awkward and alarming request opens up conversation between the two inmates. When Andy chooses Red as the first person to actually interact with, they almost immediately begin a loyal friendship that lasts for decades. As time passes, Andy remains a calm and collected character but will occasionally have sudden bold outbursts that surprise both his fellow inmates and the viewers. One for instance happened while he and a group of men were working on the top of a roof. Andy, “the wife …show more content…
Tim Robbin’s character uses his connections to get into a job placement, he confronts the guards on occasions that would typically be inappropriate but seems to never get in trouble due to his swiftness, he starts a heavy collection of contraband, he begins an unwarranted and ill funded library, he steals the wardens clothing and shoes, locks a harmless guard in the bathroom and then plays Mozart to the entire prison, he steals the warden’s documents and exposes everyone causing a scandal, and lastly he manages to completely and successfully break out of prison. Some of what is listed above can be seen as minor offenses, but what is most troubling and most devious is his accomplishment of gaining trust from every aspect of the Shawshank community. Later in the film we learn that Andy turns his advances around and uses everyone for each of their abilities. The social and group influences unknowingly fueled his prison break master plan. He also builds a sense of loyalty with everyone he helps because it makes the other inmates believe they now have to obey to whatever he needs. This cunning character can actually be perceived as selfish and manipulative if you look close
2.16.17
Extra Credit
Shawshank Redemption
When Andy Dufresne takes his first few steps off of the dusty prison bus and onto the unfamiliar grounds of Shawshank Prison, there are lines of men awaiting his arrival. Many of the already convicted were there for personal entertainment ; to properly welcome the “fresh meat” you could say. Although, amongst the hundreds of convicts, one group happened to stand out. An assembly of four men were standing upright and observing the new inmates to find the weakest one in the crowd. Each man bet on a specific person they thought would “crack” on their first night in jail. Their cigarettes and weekly allowance was now at stake if their chosen newbee did not perform to the assigned task. …show more content…
The first instance in which he is put to the test is his first night spent in Shawshank. Not one word was uttered out of his mouth. No kind of complaining or distress was expressed which challenged the gambler’s predetermined reservations about Andy. After that, the “Sisters”, a group of gay men in the prison, find a liking for him and are relentless when their offers are turned down. Most would assume that after a series of life threatening beatings Andy would succumb to their demands, but once again, he challenges the perceptions put onto him and would rather be beaten than lose sight of who he really is. Aside from his two or three major threats at prison, Andy seems to do what he is told, keep to himself and contently work in the laundry. Life at Shawshank begins to turn around when one day, Andy feels confident enough to ask the contraband expert, Red, if he can get him a sledge hammer. The awkward and alarming request opens up conversation between the two inmates. When Andy chooses Red as the first person to actually interact with, they almost immediately begin a loyal friendship that lasts for decades. As time passes, Andy remains a calm and collected character but will occasionally have sudden bold outbursts that surprise both his fellow inmates and the viewers. One for instance happened while he and a group of men were working on the top of a roof. Andy, “the wife …show more content…
Tim Robbin’s character uses his connections to get into a job placement, he confronts the guards on occasions that would typically be inappropriate but seems to never get in trouble due to his swiftness, he starts a heavy collection of contraband, he begins an unwarranted and ill funded library, he steals the wardens clothing and shoes, locks a harmless guard in the bathroom and then plays Mozart to the entire prison, he steals the warden’s documents and exposes everyone causing a scandal, and lastly he manages to completely and successfully break out of prison. Some of what is listed above can be seen as minor offenses, but what is most troubling and most devious is his accomplishment of gaining trust from every aspect of the Shawshank community. Later in the film we learn that Andy turns his advances around and uses everyone for each of their abilities. The social and group influences unknowingly fueled his prison break master plan. He also builds a sense of loyalty with everyone he helps because it makes the other inmates believe they now have to obey to whatever he needs. This cunning character can actually be perceived as selfish and manipulative if you look close