Humanity In Frank Darabont's Shawshank Redemption

Humanity has pondered the meaning of life since its first steps—as doing so provides a confounding sense of purpose among the entropy that is the universe. This purpose can help free individuals from their doubt, and pain, and lead them to overcome that which was considered impossible, and all while inspiring the people around them. Within Frank Darabont 's Shawshank Redemption, these ideas are represented by one of the main protagonists of the story—Andy Dufresne, a successful young bank manager wrongfully accused of the murder of his wife, and her lover who had unfaithful relations prior to their murders. Once precocious and successful beyond his years, he is cast away from society. Wrongfully convicted of the aforementioned murder, Dufresne …show more content…
Many of his various actions such as; filing tax returns for the guards, and helping to rebuild a shambling prison library, and molding chess pieces out of soapstone, and filling his room with posters of the outside world all help show his desire to not only recapture the life he once had, but create a new one out of the ashes of the old. This hope is what proves to drive Dufresne, hope to reclaim some sort of normalcy, and both this combined with his actions during his time in prison highlight many different aspects of human nature. One piece of human nature shown through Andy, is the human tendency to make the best out of what we are given—and try to live our lives vicariously through seemingly small accomplishments made significantly more impressive by the lack of resources provided. Towards the end of his sentence, he begins to realise that guilt and righteousness are simply concepts, and not a true barometer of a person 's character. This realization is fueled by his growing disdain of the corrupt establishment, filled with thieves and murderers, hiding behind the veil of their righteous title. However Dufresne uses the desire to return to the life, and the truth of his innocence to prevent himself from being broken by Shawshank, unlike other characters portrayed within the