The Shawshank Redemption: Socratic Discussion
Name _________________
1994, Directed by Frank Darabont
Starring: Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman and Bob Gunton
Opening Question:
What are the essential moral/ethical dilemmas in the film?
What underlying message(s) about these dilemmas does the film SUGGEST?
Note: It might be helpful to think of moral/ethical dilemmas as questions or choices
What should I do about…..?
How should I do that, or achieve that?
Core Questions:
What is Andy’s situation – his essential moral ethical dilemma?
What should Andy do about his situation?
What do others do about their situation?
How is Andy different?
How should he go about doing that, achieving that?
How is what Andy does different than what others do?
Who helps him?
What is Red’s situation – his essential moral/ethical dilemma?
What should Red do about his situation?
How should he go about doing that, achieving that?
Who helps him?
What is Tommy’s situation – his essential moral ethical dilemma?
What should Tommy do about his situation?
How should he go about doing that, achieving that?
Who helps him?
In the film, who is the redeemer and who is redeemed?
Closing Question:
According to the film, what role do HOPE and REDEMPTION play in making moral ethical decisions?
Which scenes most clearly communicate this message?
Directions: Use this and the other side to answer this question.