Learning task 2: Plot, theme and character
Plot
The plot of a film usually follows a very clear dramatic structure. It will begin with the exposition, where the scene is set, situation established and characters introduced. The tension will then rise steadily as a series of small conflicts build to a climax. This is the point where the conflict within a character or between characters is most intense. After this event, the tension levels decrease as some sort of decision is reached, resulting in a resolution.
The entertainment value of a plot is determined by humour, action, tension and the unexpected.
Plot Activity
Students are to graph the dramatic structure of The Shawshank Redemption, where the vertical axis is tension level and the horizontal axis is plot development. They must provide clear examples from the film for each part of the graph.
Theme
Discuss the fact that many films have an important message. This may be a comment on society, on human relationships or values. Brainstorm the main issues/themes in this film.
There are many controversial issues dealt with in this film. These range from sodomy to loyalty and friendship. The following is a list of some of the most important themes touched on in the movie:
- Courage
- Loyalty
- The power of the mind vs the power of authority
- Institutionalisation
- Corruption
- Justice/injustice
- Freedom
Jigsaw activity
Instructions:
Divide the class into as many groups as there are in each group ie; 5 groups of 5. These are the expert groups and each group will have one question to discuss (see below). The groups are then broken again so that the new groups have one person from each of the old groups, this is called a 'home' group. Each person in this group must share their ideas on the one question that they discussed in their 'expert' group. This way everybody ends up covering/discussing all of the questions.
Discuss the portrayal of the various groups of characters in the film. Students to draw a diagram to show power structures, ie. external power of the authorities vs inner power of the prisoners. The characters in the film can be divided in numerous ways:
- Prisoners vs Guards - Where the guards have the legal and perceived power
- Andy vs Norton - Andy has the 'real' power ie; his intellect and inner strength
- The Sisters vs Other Prisoners - The sisters have physical power (in numbers) but Andy has the power to fight them mentally
- The Prisoners vs the Outside World - The prisoners lose their power to fear of the unknown
- Norton/Hadley vs The Law - Ironic that these characters who are perceived 'upholders' of the law are more corrupt that some prisoners
These are just a few examples of differing power relationships in the movie, I am sure that the students could come up with a lot more. It would be an interesting exercise to try and draw a diagram which shows the above contrasts. What they should find is that it is hard to define 'power' in the movie. Talk about how the prison and its various groups relate to the real world. These issues should spark some interesting discussion.
Questions for the Jigsaw Activity:
- Explain the meaning of institutionalised. How does it apply to Brooks?
- What aspect(s) of prison life are emphasised throughout the movie? Give example.
- Why does the Pacific Ocean have such appeal to Andy?
- How do all the prisoners accept one anothers crimes in the prison? How is this significant?
- List some examples of corruption of the legal process and the corrections process in the movie.
- In what respects is justice finally achieved in the movie? Comment.
Individuals write a paragraph explaining the theme of the film, including comment on the social value of the film's message.
Characterisation
Look closely at character in terms of contrast.
How are characters revealed?It is interesting to look at the idea of contrast to discover characters. Obviously we find out what a character is like through the 'normal' channels: What they say, do, what others say, physical appearance, relationships etc. We can further explore character by looking at symbolism and contrast with other characters. For example, Andy is often outdoors, in full sunshine. He wears the prisoners uniform of light blue and is often associated with music. All of these things reinforce the fact that he is a 'good' person, someone who belongs in wide open spaces, not shut up in a dingy prison. Norton on the other hand is always dressed in dark colours. He is usually seen indoors in a shadowy environment and it is he who punishes Andy for playing music. Immediately we can see the contrast being set up here, the 'good' character vs the 'bad' character. It is ironic also that at the end of the film it is Andy who gains freedom and Norton who recedes in to the final darkness of death, thus the contrast that has been evident throughout is emphasised.
Students to choose 2 characters (they do not have to be main characters) and to compare and contrast them in terms of imagery, appearance, relationships, role in the film. This may be done either as a piece of writing or as a chart (page divided in half).
Another interesting aspect to look at is whether the performance of the actors affected their credibility as characters. A good class discussion topic.
