Day 1

The Shawshank Redemption

Text of the Novella

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

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 tale’s right to “be remembered.”

Honors Objectives:

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 tale’s right to “be remembered.” …for the story “A Good Man is Hard to Find”

Honors Alternative Objectives:

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.

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)

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)

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)• Don’t 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 3rd person.

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.

• 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)

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)• Don’t 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 3rd person.

Continue identifying symbols

• Look back to your discussion of Andy's central trait were you correct?

• Why isn’t “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)

Continue identifying symbols

• If Red is to be redeemed, what is Red’s flaw?

• Why isn’t “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)

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)

If Red is being redeemed, than Andy isn’t. 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 isn’t Andy the one being redeemed…(Honors)

Paragraphs should include:• A hypothesis (topic sentence)• Evidence (this takes the form of

a quotation)• Don’t 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 3rd person.

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)

• 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…

Red lacked hope, and had stopped living; now, he is redeemed…when 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)• Don’t 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 3rd person.