StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

Themes in Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption - Essay Example

Cite this document
Summary
This essay, focuses on the themes of hope, and the pain of isolation and imprisonment in this novel. This will also show how Stephen King uses different characters and scenes to develop these themes in his novel. …
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER92.8% of users find it useful
Themes in Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "Themes in Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption"

Themes in Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption There are different themes in this novel. However, two of the main themes put across by Stephen King, the author of this novel, include power of hope, and the burden and pain of isolation and imprisonment. Stephen King uses different scenes and characters in the book to bring out these themes, among many other themes. This essay therefore, focuses on the themes of hope, and the pain of isolation and imprisonment in this novel. This will also show how Stephen King uses different characters and scenes to develop these themes in his novel. One major theme that unfolds in this book is about the pain and burden of imprisonment and isolation. In this novel, Stephen King has mainly centered the plot on prison life, and inmates at Shawshank Prison. The prisoners in this prison are locked up. This therefore, could be either literally or metaphorically. Stephen King shows the aspect of isolation through the way he has portrayed the prison setting. The prison is enclosed with walls, showing that the inmates were confined inside the prison, thus, were isolated, and denied freedom like that in the life outside the prison walls. The recreation yard in the prison is also enclosed, as well as the cells, where each prisoner lived (King Web). The prison environment in this novel, thus, represents a different world, where the inmates have been forced into after being removed from the free world. They therefore, are confined in the prison, with no opportunity of going back to the outside world, unless their term is over. The lack of freedom and alienation from the mainstream society is disheartening to most prisoners, and this has detrimental psychological effects on the prisoners. The pain of imprisonment in this book is evident in the lives of the prisoners. These are faced with multiple challenges in the prison, and therefore, these leave them with endless pain, both physically and psychologically. The prisoners by virtue of being in prison, have to encounter violent and mean people and gangs among themselves, who torture them, both physically and psychologically. The “sisters,” which is a gang in the prison tortures other inmates by abusing them sexually. On the other hand, both the experience of isolation and imprisonment make most of the prisoners believe that they are incompetent in the outside world. Experiences in the prison have derailed the inmates psychologically, and taken away their confidence and self-esteem. Although some prisoners such as Elwood Blatch want to appear like strong and hardened, deep within, these fear if they will ever fit in life outside prison, and if they will adapt to that life after serving their jail term. Red is also shown as being afraid of coping with freedom in the outside world (King Web). Additionally, Stephen King in this novel developed the theme of hope and its power. Through the different events in this book, one realizes that the author attempts to show the audience that hope is powerful. The inmates at Shawshank have every reason to give up hope, but these have not lost hope. Therefore, it is the hope that they uphold, which is responsible for their continued living and survival. Even though the inmates are faced with the burdens that come with imprisonment and isolation, these have not given up life, nor attempted to take away their life. For instance, Andy comes out as a determined person, who fights to maintain his sense of self-worth and therefore, this virtue is sufficient for him to keep at bay any extreme sense of anger and frustration, which would result from the isolation and confinement he faces in the prison. He serves as the model of an ideal man to other prisoners, and also a epitome of hope, as characterized by his spirit, which never loses hope. Hope is also portrayed when Andy progressively tunnels the concrete wall of his cell, and finally crawls out of his cell into freedom. While outside prison, Andy writes a letter to Red, and reminds him that, “Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies” (King Web). Therefore, since Red was still in prison, he felt the importance and power of hope, and therefore, had no other option, but to embrace hope, just as Andy did. The proof that hope is powerful is therefore, also evident in Red, who had lost hope for the future, and in life, but is inspired by Andy to embrace hope again, which finally changes his life to start living positively. Most books in literature are meant to teach life lessons. Most of the acts and experiences in literature books are not new or out of this world, but are events that many people can relate to. In this novel, the themes discussed are relevant and can apply to my life as well. These two themes highlighted teach moral lessons to me, even though I can relate with one of them, the theme of hope. The first theme about the pain and burdens of isolation and imprisonment has made me more knowledgeable about what goes on behind bars, and how this affects the involved persons physically and psychologically. Since I have never experienced this, I am now in a better position to understand the situation of most inmates behind the bars. Imprisonment is disheartening and causes isolation, therefore, this will help me to avoid any circumstance that might lead to imprisonment. In addition, this theme has made me to appreciate the freedom I have now, and to never put it in jeopardy. On the other hand, the theme of hope and power of hope is an important theme in this book, which I can relate to. In my life, I hold the view that hope is what drives life, and it is what makes me achieve my dreams. Therefore, giving up hope might make a person to lose important things in their life. For instance, throughout my education, I did not give up hope, which is the reason why I am at this level of my education. Since days back in my elementary school, I studied hard, and when I failed a test, I would work harder for better performance. Neither did I give up hope on education nor got tired of studying, even when my results were not perfect. If ever I had given up, I would lose my education. Andy and Red did not give up, which is why they regained their freedom. This therefore, teaches to value hope, as this is an important virtue in life. Works Cited King, Stephen. Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption. n.d Pdf. Viewed 16 April 2013 Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“Themes in Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption Essay”, n.d.)
Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/english/1474488-themes-in-rita-hayworth-and-shawshank-redemption
(Themes in Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption Essay)
https://studentshare.org/english/1474488-themes-in-rita-hayworth-and-shawshank-redemption.
“Themes in Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption Essay”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/english/1474488-themes-in-rita-hayworth-and-shawshank-redemption.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF Themes in Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption

Movie for Socioligical Prespective for SHawshank Redemption

It was adapted from the book ‘rita hayworth and shawshank redemption' by Stephen King.... Sociological Perspective on the movie ‘shawshank redemption' Summary The movie ‘shawshank redemption' was a 1994 film which was written and directed by Frank Darabont.... During his stay in the prison, he would ask Red Redding to get him a rock hammer and later various posters of glamorous women – from rita hayworth to Raquel Welch....
5 Pages (1250 words) Movie Review

Research paper analyzing the writiing style of Stephen King

hellip; Horror fiction is not lucrative then, because the main paperback audience consisted of well-educated middle class women, with dominant preferences for themes of sex, power, and romances (Hoppenstand and Browne 1).... People have to analyze and read between-the-lines, nevertheless, to understand the themes of survival and adaptation in some of King's novels....
5 Pages (1250 words) Essay

Realistic Portrayal of Prison Life in Movies based on Stephen Kings Novels

Shawshank Redemption was based on the novel of Stephen King titled “rita hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption”.... The shawshank redemption is one of the films that are regarded close to realism of portraying life in prison.... In shawshank redemption, prison rape was played up and tackled its sensitive nature through the characters.... He was sentenced life at Maine's shawshank State Prison....
4 Pages (1000 words) Essay

American Values and The Shawshank Redemption

?? The movie is based on a Stephen King novella by the name of rita hayworth and shawshank redemption.... Your Full Name Your Your 24 May 2011 American Values and The shawshank redemption Values are certain standards of ethical conduct by which a person or a society lives by.... Your Full Your 24 May American Values and The shawshank redemption Values are certain standards of ethical conduct by which a person or a society lives by.... In the movie, The shawshank redemption, also there were certain “American values....
2 Pages (500 words) Essay

Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption

English 102 17 October 2011  Essay Based on the Movie "The Shawshank Redemption" And the Story “rita hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption" The movie “The Shashank Redemption” is based on a novella, written by King, from his collection Different Seasons (1982).... hellip; The name of the story was “rita hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption".... In comparison, in the celluloid version of the story, Andy first poster is of rita hayworth and when he flees, the mouth of the tunnel is covered by Raquel Welch's poster....
6 Pages (1500 words) Essay

Shawshank Redemption

Name: Instructor: Course: Date: shawshank redemption The movie, shawshank redemption produced in 1994, remains as one of the best prison movies of all times as evidenced from its moving plot.... In shawshank redemption, the major themes revolve around the power of intelligence, the power of friendship and the power of hope.... In the movie, shawshank redemption, one could appreciate how the power of intelligence becomes portrayed....
4 Pages (1000 words) Essay

Movie Review Shawshank Redemption

Director Frank Darabont, in his adaptation of the Stephen King Story “rita hayworth and shawshank redemption,” clearly seems to focus on the miracles that hope can perform and the unbending nature of human spirit.... Director Frank Darabont, in his adaptation of the Stephen King Story “rita hayworth and shawshank… The protagonist, Andrew Defresene or “Andy” (Tim Robbins) as he is referred to throughout the movie, is an honest and successful banker, wrongly convicted of The central theme of Shawshank Redemption is Hope....
2 Pages (500 words) Essay

Shawshank Redemption Book and Movie: A Comparison

The movie ‘shawshank redemption' is based on Stephen King's book.... Film language includes lighting effects, music, and different camera angles (The shawshank redemption, Dir Frank Darabont).... The story tells of the psychological torture of living in a prison or in a confined space....
4 Pages (1000 words) Essay
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us