Values And Consequences In The Film Shawshank Redemption

The film Shawshank Redemption is an award-winning film by Frank Darabont in which an innocent man, Andy Dufresne, is sentence to two life sentences for the murder of his wife and her lover. Andy is sentenced to life in Shawshank State Penitentiary for after being wrongly convicted even after professing his innocence. While imprisoned Andy befriends a man everyone knows as Red who is known for being able to smuggle things into the prison. Over the years Red is able to get Andy a rock hammer as well as a large poster. Two years into his sentence Andy provides a guard with financial advice, which leads him to providing advice to multiple guards and eventually the warden himself. The warden eventually has Andy launder money to another account …show more content…
One of the most prominent being that injustices may not be fair but in the end most people get what they deserve. Initially, Andy’s adjustment was far from easy. However, after he develops relationships and starts helping the guards with their banking they begin to look out for him. Instead of Andy having to watch his back out of fear that other inmates may attack him, he is able to focus on the library and give back to other inmates. If other inmates do try anything the guards and or the warden Norton will deal with the other inmates. In the end of the film after Andy’s escape, Andy shares information proving the wardens money laundering. The warden fearing to become an inmate in Shawshank kills himself. Another important moral is the importance of friendship and relationships. Red has been a prisoner at Shawshank for a long time before Andy shows up and he is running low on hope. The walls have already started to define Red, but Andy is able to show him that life is still out there. First he gives Red polished rocks and from there their friendship starts to blossom. Red is able to get Andy first the poster and later a rock hammer. Both of these items are essential to his escape. It isn’t until after Andy leaves that Red realizes just how important their friendship was. Injustices and friendship are just two of the many morals seen throughout Shawshank …show more content…
They get limited access to the yard their small area outside where they can see the sun and play games. Inside, they are confined to four small walls at night and strict meal times. Their routine’s often monotonous, come to define who they are. With the little free time they receive they need to try and find new things to do. Andy begins spending his nights digging the hole to get out of Shawshank. A task many thought one could only die trying to accomplish. Years and years of a hole out of Shawshank is covered up by a small poster. It is through Andy’s time digging the hole and emptying out the rocks that he is able to maintain his hope and share it with others. Andy’s help with gaining a new library helps the inmates to fill their time reading new books and learning new things. It’s a way for one to escape the reality of the prison even if just for an hour or two. The walls of confinement can become even more confined with the threat of solitary confinement. Andy is once confined for an entire month after trying to get the warden to help him prove his innocence. This not only takes away their ability to get regular meals but also daylight and human connections. In order to gain a sense of security ones rituals of their daily routine is key to staying out of harms