There’s disagreement from page one as Dan & Jeff discuss the classic film The Shawshank Redemption (based on the Stephen King novella Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption) through the lens of Joseph Campbell’s The Hero With a Thousand Faces.
Jeff Garvin is an author, musician, and actor. His debut novel, Symptoms of Being Human, is an ALA Best Fiction for Young Adults Selection, a Lambda Literary Award Finalist, and garnered starred reviews from Booklist and Publishers Weekly. Before becoming a novelist, Jeff acted on TV and toured as the lead singer of a rock band. He has a BFA in Film from Chapman University and lives in Southern California.
Comments (3)
Susie Zarzana
This is a tough one. I felt like I was missing a point. Andy had hope. He had a sense of self-worth (“a kind of inner light he carried around with him”). He had a sense of humanity (rock art, expanding the library, playing opera on the airways in Shawshank, beers on the roof after hard work). And he “wore his freedom like an invisible coat”, “never …developed a prison mentality” according to Red. So just what, exactly, was Andy’s journey about? Brooks Hatlen acquired his freedom, but died hopeless (in the novella he died in an old folks home for the indigent. May you never experience the sense of hopelessness that moans through those halls.). Red’s journey was to self-worth, I think. He had his freedom in the end, and had hope when he began looking for the hiding place Andy had described to him. But, he continued his journey. I think he needed to find his sense of self. This one’s going to keep me awake at night.
Bisoye Paradiso
OMG!!! You guys did a great job analyzing this movie through the lens of the Hero’s journey! I love this podcast. I always say how I could never spend longer than 30 minutes on one podcast episode but you guys have changed my mind!!!! I also love that you share a drink, so cool! Can’t wait to go through the episodes
Susie Zarzana
This is a tough one. I felt like I was missing a point. Andy had hope. He had a sense of self-worth (“a kind of inner light he carried around with him”). He had a sense of humanity (rock art, expanding the library, playing opera on the airways in Shawshank, beers on the roof after hard work). And he “wore his freedom like an invisible coat”, “never …developed a prison mentality” according to Red. So just what, exactly, was Andy’s journey about? Brooks Hatlen acquired his freedom, but died hopeless (in the novella he died in an old folks home for the indigent. May you never experience the sense of hopelessness that moans through those halls.). Red’s journey was to self-worth, I think. He had his freedom in the end, and had hope when he began looking for the hiding place Andy had described to him. But, he continued his journey. I think he needed to find his sense of self. This one’s going to keep me awake at night.
Bisoye Paradiso
OMG!!! You guys did a great job analyzing this movie through the lens of the Hero’s journey! I love this podcast. I always say how I could never spend longer than 30 minutes on one podcast episode but you guys have changed my mind!!!! I also love that you share a drink, so cool! Can’t wait to go through the episodes
Jeff
Thanks so much, Bisoye! We’re glad you’re enjoying it. Cheers!