Annabel's Online Journal

Annabel Carter

The girl on the train: 

(Novel)

“For once in my life I have a purpose, or at least I have a distraction”

The girl on the train written by Paula Hawkins is a novel based on the story of a woman named Rachel who catches the same commuting train each morning. Rachel knows the train stops at the same signal each time, looking into the row of homes stationed near the tracks. Rachel even begins to feel that she knows the lives of those living within their own homes, if only she could be that happy. Until one day when Rachel sees something utterly shocking and in that one moment her life changes forever. The novel is written in narrative of many perspectives, Rachels, Megans and Annas. This shows contrast between each characters actions and thoughts and relates the viewer and myself to their own perspectives. The theme of justice is shown throughout this novel when Rachel finds herself at the centre of a woman’s disappearance (Megan). As Rachel’s world is already profoundly messy and unorganised, her attention shifts towards this mystery as she now finds herself looking for justice. 

Throughout the novel Rachel looks back on her past life with her now ex husband Tom and his life he is living with his new girlfriend Anna. Throughout the book the theme of justice is all shown through the aspects of betrayal, feminism, abandonment, alcohol and digital communication are shown as a way to create justice. 

Rachel uses the power of technology to look on her ex husbands phone and see messages that could lead her to the disappearance of Megan. This paper trail left behind by digital communication leads Rachel to discovering Tom’s affair with Anna and Anna getting wind of his secret relationship with Megan and his involvement in her death. As well as Megan’s justice we see Rachel fight for her own after being repeatedly cheated on in numerous occasions, she seeks her right to feel loved again. Rachel has had her fair share of betrayal throughout her life so she felt she could relate to Megans scenario after she supposedly saw her kissing another man not her husband while Rachel was on her way to work. This first witness account of this event saw Rachel as a top priority in solving Megan’s case after she was reported missing. 

We see Rachel gradually getting emotionally connected to this family and her fight for justice grows greater each day. While all this is going on Rachel also battles with her day to day alcoholism and the effects it is having on her mental health. Alcohol can be betrayed as an evil character throughout the book as it hinders Rachels decision making and memory which is highly important in solving Megan’s case. Alcohol is used in the story as a catalyst for bad decisions but can also be an indicator that bad decisions are being made consciously, for example when Anna pours herself a glass of wine before snooping on Toms computer. This may lead the characters to justice or just keeps them further away from the truth. 

Rachel fights for her own justice against her battle with alcoholism throughout the film, ultimately in the end she wins her fight and you can see the effects of rehab straight away. 

I believe this book betrays the permanent effects of Alcohol and her justice as it would be in real life, She is constantly reminded by her past and struggles to keep moving forward each day.  Rachels fight for justice becomes increasingly difficult when she struggles to remember the events that took place the night of Megan’s disappearance. Her Alcholol problem leads her to blackouts preventing her to identify the man invloved in her murder that night. Rachel also relives the lies she was fed when she was married to Tom which caused her to have significant mental health problems in the future. Both Rachels and Megan’s fight to forget earlier memories from past relationships plagues their lives. 

Personally I believe Rachel was a good person, she was constantly reminded by lies and had no sense of direction, yet she was still willing to find justice for Megan and her family, this was a very selfless act. Her passion for other people was shown throughout the book while also struggling with problems of her own. Although her addiction hindered the time it took it seek justice, the outcome was worth the wait as Tom was sentenced for the murder of Megan and Rachel was finally able to live her life without lies and the battle with alchohol. Personally this book drew me closer to the character of Rachel as some of her problems are seen in my life today, I was able to be emotionally connected towards her and the hatred she holds towards herself as it is very common in teenagers. I constantly am scared what other people think about me and their own opinions but I am learning through time that nobody else’s opinions matter, just what Rachel finds herself towards the end of the book. “The holes in your life are permanent. You have to grow around them like tree roots around concrete; you mould yourself through the gaps.”

I have had no personal experience with any kind of justice which is due to a murder. This made me realise how thankful I am to not be in a situation like Rachel’s. I am constantly being supported by my friend and family around me and have never felt as though I have been alone in fighting for what is right. Although this situation is far out of my life I strongly believe that if I were to come across something similar I would have a great support behind me in finding the justice for a friend of family member.

In a real world context this text can be related to a number of peoples lives. Rachel portrayed a lonely women who was struggling with her own addictions. In the world that we live in now people are constantly feeling pressure from social media and the public which causes unthinkable measures to be taken. New Zealand has the highest teen suicide rates in the world and its because of constant pressure they face on a day to day basis. We need to find a way to cope with addiction just like Rachel did in the end and it was all because she found a purpose for once in her life.

Annabel Carter

Shawshank redemption: 

(Film)

When does the consequences of fighting for your own justice suppress the feeling of redemption? 

“The Shawshank Redemption” written and directed by Frank Darabont takes on the 1994 American drama film based on the 1982 novel written by Stephen King called “Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption”.

The film follows the life of banker Andy Dufresne wrongfully convicted of murdering his wife and former lover, sentencing him to two life sentences within Shawshank State Penitentiary Prison. The film portrays the theme of justice by Andy’s fight in hopes to one day walk as a free man. Within the walls of his confinement he befriends a fellow prisoner by the name of Ellis Redding commonly known throughout the film as “Red” who is completing his sentence for smuggling drugs into prison. The film spans just short of 20 years showing the growing partnership of Andy and Red which portrays their life within the prison cells, giving insights into their personal experiences adjusting as best they can behind bars. Throughout the film the recurring theme of social Justice keeps Andy and Red fighting for their rights in hopes of one day being able to walk free of conviction. In order to reach this point Andy must navigate his way through sexual abuse, beatings and starvation to find his prupose, his purpose fueled by justice. Andy uses his past powers and knowledge of money laundering and illegal financial abilities to gain certain privileges for himself and other inmates including Red in order to successfully survive within the State Prison. Although all this mental and physical abuse has a large impact on his mentality. 

As the viewer you can see the impact this prison has on his mind, including his decision making a radical actions to be a free man. Us as the audience ultimately views these acts in favor of the inhumane actions placed upon the prisoners and Andy himself, this is nothing less than an act of abuse in power to convey how authority can dictate a person’s actions and ultimately end result in a person’s life. “Justice delayed is justice denied”, this quote is recurring throughout the film by Andy. 

A powerful scene in the film is where Andy’s innocence is shown and the truth gets out, this should have been the catalyst of the movie, the turning point where Aandy walks free of conviction. The justice and moral ethics should have come together to grant Andy his freedom and the justice he deserved. But instead the legal professionals involved in Shawshank Prison would not comprehend the new evidence in favor of him and instead of doing their legal duty they chose to silence the new evidence found to keep Andy’s criminal transaction intact.  Throughout the film Andy and Reds reaction to the principles of injusticement and abuse in power provides there catalyst on the driving force in becoming free men clearing their name. By the film being at a first person point of view it makes it more realistic to an outside audience experiencing the physical abuse and psychological torture these men went through. Director Frank Darabont uses a technique throughout the movie to relate the viewer to the theme of the film in the form of voice overs which is portrayed through Reds voice. The fellow inmate serves as the narrator within the movie, the emotional weight Red Carries through prison is shown in his own perspective which speaks directly towards the viewer. The first sentence of the film through the narrators eyes includes the word “You” bringing the audience into the film within the beginning. Reds voice is portrayed as eloquent and poetically spoken nothing like convict talk you would most likely find. His voice shows humorous sides almost covering the emotion distress he is experiencing, Red controls the overall tone of the film keeping it light hearted when possible while shifting to tension when necessary. The film also includes relatable experiences of life making them appear as human as possible whom indeed is following a heart and soul in the quest for Justice. Although the theme of social justice comes across to an outside viewer as very simple it is actually quite complex when Andy and Reds road to redemption is seized by optimism and the reality of spending the rest of his life behind bars. This particular motivation is stemmed from Andy and Reds past disappointment in rejection of the State of near future parole which happened in more than one instance within the film. Shawshank Redemption shows how one man’s fight for justice becomes another man’s fight for freedom.

This text made me reflect on the criminal justice systems way of sentencing and if justice really is served due to this. Watching the characters navigate their way through the prison makes me realise how lucky I am to not be in a similar situation. I cannot comprehend the abuse Andy, Red and the other prisoners must have gone through in their time. I am a person of white descendants and a female which may come to my advantage if I were to ever see myself in a court one day this is why I find it so hard to comprehend the weight some criminals must carry due to their ethnic groups or religion which may come as a disadvantage in a sentencing. I have had no personal experience with prisons but I do have relatives that have had to spend time because of decisions they have made in the past. This had a profound impact on myself and the others around me when they were not here to support us in times of need. Personally I believe this film portrays justice and criminal justice accurately to what extent people will go to get what they ultimately deserve. “A life with no Justice is a life not well served.”

In a real world context we would see this type of behaviour being portrayed very frequently behind government bars. A prison is hidden behind many locked doors and very rarely do we as the public see what is going on within them. The justice fought for through the movie by the prisoners is what many people are having to go through on a daily basis. Some may be completely innocent and be placed on death row or life sentences just like Andy and are having to fight for their own life in order to see their families again. In 1939 Joe Arridy was sentenced to death for the brutal rape and murder of a 15 year old girl in Colorado. 72 year after he was put to death Joe was found to be completely innocent and has no actual evidence leading him to the murder. This is an extreme case of sentencing an innocent which resulted in the death of Joe Arridy. This true story is similar to Andy’s in Shawshank Redeption as they both were innocent and were fighting for their right to be free.

When does the consequences of fighting for your own justice suppress the feeling of redemption? 

“The Shawshank Redemption” written and directed by Frank Darabont takes on the 1994 American drama film based on the 1982 novel written by Stephen King called “Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption”. The film tells a story of banker Andy Dufresne wrongfully convicted of murdering his wife and former lover sentencing him to two life sentences within Shawshank State Penitentiary Prison. Within the walls of his confinement he befriends a fellow prisoner by the name of Ellis Redding commonly known throughout the film as “Red” who is completing his sentence for smuggling drugs into prison. The film spans just short of 20 years showing the growing partnership of Andy and Red which portrays their life within the prison cells giving insights into their personal experiences adjusting as best they can behind bars. Throughout the film the recurring theme of social Justice keeps Andy and Red fighting for their rights in hopes of one day being able to walk free of conviction. In order to reach this point Andy must navigate his way through sexual abuse, beatings and starvation to find his prupose, his purpose of justice. Andy uses his past powers and knowledge of money laundering and illegal financial abilities to gain certain privileges for himself and other inmates in order to successfully survive within the State Prison. Us as the audience ultimately views these acts in favor of the inhumane actions placed upon the prisoners and Andy himself, this is nothing less than an act of abuse in power to convey how authority can dictate a person’s actions and ultimately end result in a person’s life. Throughout the film Andy and Reds reaction to the principles of  injusticement and abuse in power provides there catalyst on the driving force in becoming free men clearing their name. By the film being at a first person point of view it makes it more realistic to an outside audience experiencing the physical abuse and psychological torture these men went through. Director Frank Darabont uses a technique throughout the movie to relate the viewer to the theme of the film in the form of voice overs which is portrayed through Reds voice. The fellow inmate serves as the narrator within the movie, the emotional weight Red Carries through prison is shown in his own perspective which speaks directly towards the viewer. The first sentence of the film through the narrators eyes includes the word “You” bringing the audience into the film within the beginning. Reds voice is portrayed as eloquent and poetically spoken nothing like convict talk you would most likely find. His voice shows humorous sides almost covering the emotion distress he is experiencing, Red controls the overall tone of the film keeping it light hearted when possible while shifting to tension when necessary. The film also includes relatable experiences of life making them appear as human as possible whom indeed is following a heart and soul in the quest for Justice. Although the theme of social justice comes across to an outside viewer as very simple it is actually quite complex when Andy and Reds road to redemption is seized by optimism and the reality of spending the rest of his life behind bars. This particular motivation is stemmed from Andy and Reds past disappointment in rejection of the State of near future parole which happened in more than one instance within the film.