At the end of the Shawshank Redemption you will be asked to
write a timed essay on the Film to the following Prompt. Discuss
the film Shawshank Redemption as a redemption tale. Does this film
live up to its name? Discuss how the redemption within this tale
works. Given the nature of the assignment concerning this film. We
need a plan. How do we expect to be graded? Take a minute at your
tables to look at the prompt. What information would you expect to
be in the essay that is dictated by the prompt. What sorts of
information will you want to collect? How is this going to be
collected? High Honors Previewing Assignment
Slide 3
For the next several days we will be watching the film The
Shawshank Redemption our purposes are these: Identify the Man being
redeemed and his flaw. Proving that this is the man to be redeemed.
Identify points at which he has a chance for redemption. Discuss
the moment of redemption. Evaluate this tale as a redemption story.
Evaluate this tales right to be remembered. Honors Objectives:
Slide 4
For the next several days we will be watching the film The
Shawshank Redemption our purposes are these. You will be doing the
same thing with an alternative story. You must write an essay in
which you Identify the person being redeemed and his/her flaw.
Proving that this is the man to be redeemed. Identify points at
which he has a chance for redemption. Discuss the moment of
redemption. Evaluate this tale as a redemption story. Evaluate this
tales right to be remembered. for the story A Good Man is Hard to
FindA Good Man is Hard to Find Honors Alternative Objectives:
Slide 5
Describe Andy Dufresne to a friend. Describe Ellis Redding
(Red) to a friend. (CP: Red will be the man to be redeemed.)
Characters (Honors/CP) Imagine telling a friend about someone you
have just meet, describe them in as much detail as you can. Get
past the physical appearance and make some inferences about who
they are on the inside. Make reference to specific statements or
actions which cause you to believe what you say. (CP) Give three
words to describe each man and his personality. After each word
write 1-2 sentences as to why you think this word is appropriate
referring to the specific examples from what you have seen.
Slide 6
Add to your description of Andy. At your tables discuss the
"beer." What does it symbolize, how does it work? Why is beer a
better symbol than any other? How does it work on multiple levels?
Characters and Symbols (H/CP)
Slide 7
Over the course of the next few segments make a list of objects
that could be considered symbols. Keep tack of these and details
about them and how they are used. What is Andy's central trait? Put
another way, if Andy were the personification of one thing what
does he symbolize? Journal (write down your thoughts): What has
happened to Brooks? Explain. Symbols (Honors)
Slide 8
Here at the end of this segment take 15 minutes to write a
persuasive paragraph answering the question of who is to be
redeemed? Thinking of it another way, who is flawed and what is the
flaw. This assignment will serve as the final assessment of
persuasive paragraphs. Who is to be redeemed? (Honors 14)
Paragraphs should include: A hypothesis (topic sentence) Evidence
(this takes the form of a quotation) Dont forget to set the
context. Your interpretation (explain how the evidence demonstrates
the hypothesis is true.) Avoid the use of: I think write in the 3
rd person.
Slide 9
Look for the following symbols over the course of the next few
scenes: Beer Chess Board Bird Poster- Rita Hayworth and the
Shawshank Redemption Mess Hall. Symbols (CP) Bible and Quotes:
Watch ye, for ye know not when the master of the house cometh. I am
the light of the world, ye that follow me shall not walk in
darkness. Salvation lies within. His judgment cometh and that right
soon.
Slide 10
What is Andy's central trait? Put another way, if Andy were the
personification of one thing what does he symbolize? Journal (write
down your thoughts): What has happened to Brooks? Explain. Symbols
Cont (CP)
Slide 11
If Red is being redeemed, he needs to have a flaw which he
needs to change. What is a flaw in terms of a Redemption Tale?
Watch the last scene again. What flaw is being exhibited by Red?
What specific lines does he say that make you claim this is his
flaw? Outline the Paragraph Prove Red is being Redeemed Paragraphs
should include: A hypothesis (topic sentence) Evidence (this takes
the form of a quotation) Dont forget to set the context. Your
interpretation (explain how the evidence demonstrates the
hypothesis is true.) Avoid the use of: I think write in the 3 rd
person.
Slide 12
Continue identifying symbols Look back to your discussion of
Andy's central trait were you correct? Why isnt The Hole difficult
for Andy? Go beyond the music. Hint: Think about why solitary
confinement is so awful. How is Andy's central trait shown yet
again with his reaction to Tommy's story. Give me the exact words
which demonstrate this. Andy as a symbol: (Honors)
Slide 13
Continue identifying symbols If Red is to be redeemed, what is
Reds flaw? Why isnt The Hole difficult for Andy? Go beyond the
music. Hint: Think about why solitary confinement is so awful. How
is Andy's central trait shown yet again with his reaction to
Tommy's story. Give me the exact words which demonstrate this. Andy
as a symbol: (CP)
Slide 14
A journal entry: Record your thoughts at the moment. Or make a
prediction. How does this demonstrate Andy's Hope? What is the
theme of this story? Is Redemption Imminent? (Honors)
Slide 15
If Red is being redeemed, than Andy isnt. Prove it. (These
paragraphs are more difficult to prove. To do so you need to prove
that Andy is something else or has the trait Red lack.) Why isnt
Andy the one being redeemed(Honors) Paragraphs should include: A
hypothesis (topic sentence) Evidence (this takes the form of a
quotation) Dont forget to set the context. Your interpretation
(explain how the evidence demonstrates the hypothesis is true.)
Avoid the use of: I think write in the 3 rd person.
Slide 16
A journal entry: What are you seeing from these two characters
in terms of Redemption? Explain how this demonstrates that Andy is
a static character. (CP) Explain how this means that The Shawshank
Redemption cannot refer to him. What is the theme of this story? Is
Redemption Imminent?(CP)
Slide 17
Compare this parole hearing to all the others? (details)
Discuss Red at this moment and make a prediction. (Remember he is
telling the story in the past- tense; he can't die) What is the
theme of this story? Finishing it all up
Slide 18
Red lacked hope, and had stopped living; now, he is
redeemedwhen did this happen? Identify the moment of this happening
and prove it. Use the second sentence of explanation to say so
what. What lesson (theme) is taken away from this story? So when is
Red Redeemed and what does that mean? (Honors/CP) Paragraphs should
include: A hypothesis (topic sentence) Evidence (this takes the
form of a quotation) Dont forget to set the context. Your
interpretation (explain how the evidence demonstrates the
hypothesis is true.) Avoid the use of: I think write in the 3 rd
person.