4. Hope
For Red it is hard to hold onto something as intangible as the idea of hope.
After Andy explains to Red about his false identity beyond the prison walls,
Red begins to dream of Andy’s paradise. “The whole idea seemed absurd, and
that mental image of blue water and white beaches seemed more cruel than
foolish- it dragged at my brain like a fishhook. I just couldn’t wear that
invisible coat the way Andy did.” (King 62) In this quote Red shares how hope
is easily filtered out in institutionalized mindsets; this thought of freedom is
painful to Red because it does not benefit him to dream of the outside world.
Andy dreams of freedom and has an “invisible coat” of hope that allows him to
endure the years in confinement while being an innocent man.
Struggle
An obvious struggle is one between freedom and imprisonment, which is
emphasized as more of a mental struggle than physical. When King talks about
freedom, it’s described as a dream, which got me thinking about imprisonment
and whether that’s a nightmare, and furthermore, if the terror of being
imprisoned is just a mental challenge to overcome.
Imprisonment/Isolation
One of the most obvious themes within Steven King’s “Rita Hayworth and
Shawshank Redemption” is the idea of imprisonment, isolation and the loss of
freedom. Not only is the location a prison ground, but within the prison
grounds is the outside (but enclosed) recreational area, fenced off.
Themes
5. Symbols
Gem Stones
Dufresne spends a great deal of time cleaning these worthless-looking
pieces of rock into an object that is often considered very beautiful. As
cliché as this sounds, King seems to be suggesting that these inmates
may seem worthless and not even worth a second glance, but some of
them are made of finer stuff, like the gemstones.
6. Q: Why does Red say “He was a good nigger.”
(King, 77) when referring to Andy? Is there
any other racial tensions displayed in Rita
Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption?
Q: How does Andy remain a healthy
mentality most of his time at Shawshank?
Q: Was Andy a kind man or a manipulator?
Q: Why does King even mention the sisters?
Q. Red recalls upon Andy that, “it was a kind
of inner light he carried around with him.”
What might this mean?
QHQs
9. Summary Chapter One
Gregor Samson goes to bed one night
and wakes up, late for work, as a
cockroach. We learn that Gregor is a
traveling salesman. He hates his job but
feels obligated to perform it because of
his parents. They are indebted to his
boss, and because of their advanced age
it is left to Gregor to fulfill their debt.
He spends day after day at this work,
consumed yet unfulfilled. He has not
missed a day of work in five years.
10. Summary Chapter 2
Chapter 2 starts the day after
Gregor undergoes his
metamorphosis. The first hints of
loneliness overtake him when
neither his sister nor his parents
come to visit him. However, his
loneliness is replaced by elation
when his sister Grete makes an
effort to visit him. Despite
Gregor’s drastic change, Grete’s
compassion for Gregor remains.
11. Summary Chapter Three
The final chapter of The Metamorphosis
commences with a pitiful description of the
wounded Gregor. For over a month,
Gregor has limped about, dragging his
insect body around the scarce space of his
cramped room, trying to disregard the
rotting apple, still undeniably and painfully
embedded into his back. The only
consolation is the fact that Gregor’s family
is no longer afraid of him due to his weak
condition. So, Gregor is allowed a view
into the living room where he can watch his
family and think of the life he could have
lived.
13. Characters
Gregor Samsa
Grete Samsa
Mr. Samsa
Anna Samsa
The Chief Clerk
Three Lodgers
Charwoman
14. Questions for Section 1
1. Discuss the details Kafka uses to establish Gregor’s
life before his metamorphosis into an insect. How
do these familiar details and objects define Gregor’s
character and life?
2. The relationship between Gregor and his father is
at the core of the story. Describe this relationship
both before and after Gregor’s metamorphosis.
3. Much of this part of the story, focuses on Gregor’s
inner life. Describe Gregor’s private thoughts and
emotions; use psychoanalytic theory to discuss his
attitudes toward his family and outside world.
15. Questions for Section 2
1. Grete’s character undergoes a dramatic change in
section two. Trace the changes that highlight the
changes in her attitude, character, and personality.
Can feminist theory help explain her behavior.
2. Gregor refuses to part with the picture of the
woman wrapped in furs on the wall. Why is it
important? Explain its symbolic meaning.
3. In section two of the story, Gregor’s sense of guilt
is highlighted. Use Psychoanalytic theory to
explain Gregor’s guilt. Consider how his lingering
guilt affects his state of mind and his feelings
toward his family.
16. Questions from Section 3
1. Discuss the three bearded lodgers. What is
their purpose in the story?
2. It is clear from the outset of Part 3 that
Gregor is dying. How much of his physical
decline is his own doing, and how much of it
is caused by outside factors?
3. Contrast Gregor’s state of mind at the
beginning of this section to right before his
death. What incidents or events cause a
change in Gregor’s attitude and thinking? Are
Gregor’s thoughts rational and clear, or are
they blurred and irrational?
