'Shawshank Redemption' moments

Question 1

‘Rape Scene’: what’s happening

Answer 1

Andy has just met the ‘sisters’ who are known for being homosexual

Question 2

‘Rape Scene’: aim

Answer 2

to disturb/shock the audience in order to make us feel sympathy towards Andy and also to begin to drip-feed he themes of homosexuality

Question 3

‘Rape Scene’: Andy’s vocal and physical skills

Answer 3

Vocal: screams “no” repeatedly, elongates vowels, harrowing screams, low tone and deep pitch
Physical: keeled over, concave posture, in headlock, grimacing, scrunched up facial features, eyes watering from pain

Question 4

‘Rape Scene’: Sisters’ vocal and physical skills

Answer 4

Vocal: cackling, high pitch, grinning, wide-eyed, “I am the king and you are the pawn”
Physical: excited, licking lips in anticipation, rubbing hands together, spring in step, wides-eyed, slowly unzipped flyers whilst keeping eye contact with Andy

Question 5

‘Suicide Scene’: what’s happening

Answer 5

Brooks has been released on parole, however he cannot come to terms with the rapidly progressing outside world and so opts to end his life
He is centre stage with a lighter about to burn himself to death with Andy, the wardens and other inmates circled around him- very tense moment

Question 6

‘Suicide Scene’: aim

Answer 6

• to show the contrast between Brooks’ intentions and everyone else, which created an engaging scene
• themes of injustice, desperation and friendship are highlighted

Question 7

‘Suicide Scene’: vocal and physical skills

Answer 7

Vocal: “they won’t even give me a library card” disbelief, depressed, sad tone, quivering pitch, looking at the floor to avoid eye contact, pauses before library card for emphasis
Physical: furrowed eyebrows, hunched over

Question 8

‘Suicide Scene’: Andy’s facial expressions

Answer 8

concerned, wired panic contrasts with sad and lonesome expression, muscles tensed, posture is leaning in towards Brooks making him the centre of attention

Question 9

‘Final Scene’: what’s happening

Answer 9

Andy and Red reunite

Question 10

‘Final Scene’: justification and themes

Answer 10

thrilled by the excitement and joy go the two friends reuniting again
themes: friendship, hope and sheer desperation

Question 11

‘Final Scene’: staging

Answer 11

prison gangway divides and each half opens up to reveal the idillic beach and Pacific Ocean setting on the screen behind. Andy is upstage centre whereas Red runs from downstage right to meet him

Question 12

‘Final Scene’: Red’s physical skills

Answer 12

• rotates his body 180 degrees, sees Andy and keeps his eyes fixated on him
• initially he staggers with utter disbelief, maintaining a gradual gait walks towards Andy with some sense of caution
• begins to run taking long strides and reaching out his arms to his sides

Question 13

‘Final Scene’: Andy’s physical skills

Answer 13

• standing casually with back to the audience, neck relaxed as he looks out across the horizon
• when hearing Red’s footsteps he turns around briskly
• eye contact between both is locked- both faces are filled with exhilaration and shock, jaws dropped, eyelids flutter and tears of joy come down andy’s face, gasps with delight