SR+-+Jigsaw+activity

There were 6 questions about Shawshank's theme given out, each asking about a different aspect of the film.

Below are the gathered answers


 * 1. Why does the Pacific Ocean have such appeal to Andy?**
 * 1) It has no memory and it's very expansive - represents utter freedom
 * 2) It's a place where you forget all your memories, Andy wants to start a new life - what better than a place that doesn't remember.
 * 3) It's a place of freedom that is completely different than prison.
 * 4) The Mexicans say that the Pacific has no memory - Andy wants to be near it, to have no memory of prison.
 * 5) It's huge, there's no confinement - if you're there, you're free.


 * 2. List some examples of corruption in the legal process and the corrections process in the film.**
 * 1) The "sisters" were allowed, by the guards, to rape Andy for two years
 * 2) Guards viciously assault and kill prisoners for minor reasons - the fat man early on
 * 3) Tommy is assassinated for telling Andy the truth about his wife - wrong of both the warden in ordering it, and the guard for doing it
 * 4) Andy received special treatment as he was useful - whilst good for him, shows imbalance of power
 * 5) Andy being put in the hole for much longer than usual for irritating the warden
 * 6) The warden gets Andy to launder money
 * 7) Guards sneak in things for Red to sell on
 * 8) Andy's entire trial - jailed for nothing
 * 9) "I was as straight as an arrow on the outside, I had to come to prison to be a crook".


 * 3. In what respects is justice finally achieved in the film?**
 * 1) Andy escapes Shawshank - he was not supposed to be in there in the first place
 * 2) Red's parole is approved - Morgan Freeman cannot be caged
 * 3) Andy gets away with major cash money
 * 4) Hadley is arrested
 * 5) Warden Norton kills himself
 * 6) The prison goes from "cruel to cool" - i.e. they get a library
 * 7) The sisters get assaulted themselves - Andy's raping is stopped
 * 8) Andy finds out who it was who killed his wife


 * 4. Explain the meaning of institutionalized. How does it apply to Brookes? What are other examples of institutionalization in the film?**
 * Institutionalized -** Being in prison so long it's all that you know. They know that they cannot survive outside of the walls.
 * Brookes -** He couldn't survive on the outside, couldn't cope. He just wanted to "go home". Outside of the prison he's just an unskilled, unwanted old man. Inside he was the librarian. The only option he has is to end his life.
 * Other examples** - Red is the same - we see him go through a similar routine to Brookes. He is however able to get through it, thanks to Andy's miraculous escape. He was similar to Brookes in that inside he could get things, outside people simply used the yellow pages. In a way, Tommy is institutionalized - he cannot stop going to jail!


 * 5. What aspects of prison life are emphasized throughout the film?**
 * 1) Routine - "lights out", eating, free time. The same old stuff every day.
 * 2) The abuse of prisoners - assault and rape by both guards and other prisoners
 * 3) Hard labour - work that is boring, worthless and often unnecessary.
 * 4) Confinement - small, cramped, miserable cells.
 * 5) Friendship - the only way to get through prison life.
 * 6) Corruption - see above!
 * 7) Heckling of the new fish - a highlight for the prisoners!
 * 8) Communal showers - not a safe time at all.
 * 9) Violence

"Everybody in Shawshank is innocent". A tongue-in-cheek comment, everyone knows it isn't true, but nobody makes any complaints. They care little about what everyone else did - they are all in the same position. They are all equal - lowest of the low. There's a distinct food chain, maybe they don't want others to know they are a horrible person - prison life is hard enough already.
 * 6. How do all prisoners accept one anothers crimes in the prison? How is this significant?**