Removalists And Shawshank Redemption: An Analysis

Lord Action stated “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely”. In both the prescribed text ‘The Removalists’ and related material ‘Shawshank redemption’ it explores the control and exert of power, societal assumptions on male dominance in the 1970’s, police brutality being the norm and means of religion and disguise. Abuse of power is conveyed through these texts in the manner in which characters deal with the power they wield, in turn reveals the values that hinge society.
In both the prescribed text, The Removalists and related text, Shawshank Redemption we are shown how verbal abuse is conveyed as an abuse of power. In the prescribed text The Removalists Simmonds is shown to abuse his power when he talks to Ross in
Simmonds swearing and belittling Ross is a constant in this play. Simmonds is constantly wanting to be in power and belittling Ross is one way to do it. By Simmonds swearing and verbally abusing Ross he is abusing his power. In The Removalists Kenny is seen to abuse his power by swearing and calling Fiona horrific names. Kenny demonstrates his abuse of power over Fiona when he states “You bitch!” when Kenny finds out he is being arrested. Kenny is portrayed as a stereotypical 1970’s Australian male. Kenny is obnoxious and treats his wife very poorly. He demonstrates that numerous times in the play calling her names making this an abuse of power. In the related material Shawshank Redemption, Warden Norton abuses his power by using religious language to disguise his corrupt nature. This is seen just before Tommy is killed, the Warden says “Would you be willing to swear before a judge and jury, having placed your hand on the good book and taken
In a scene both the Removalist and Simmonds gang up on Ross, the Removalist says “No experience. Lifts with his back.” Simmonds then says “Well there you are Ross, youre picking up a trade, thats what the force does for you.” Simmonds and Remmovalist are both implying he is worthless at both jobs. Simmonds and The Removalist both take advantage of their power in this scene and gang up on Ross, showing they are abusing their power. In The Removalists Simmonds constantly abuses his power over Ross. An example of this is when Simmonds says “You stupid great arse” to Ross after Fiona and Kate left. All the verbal abuse Ross gets from Simmonds took a psychological toll on Ross which eventually caused him to snap. Simmonds in this scene demonstrates again his exert of power and his wanting to always be in charge. In the related material Warden Norton demonstrates his abuse of power when he puts Andy into isolation for two months. This is after Andy confronts Warden about evidence coming forward that he was innocent. Warden Norton inflicts psychological damage in the way he controls and exerts his power on Andy conveying his corrupt nature and abuse of power. In comparison, both texts have similar ways of betraying psychological abuse of power, Ross is belittled by Simmonds and The Removalist and Andy is belittled in isolation by Warden