Shawshank Redemption Essay Example

in God. Andy, initially very quiet, only spoke a few words during the first month. His first conversation was with Red, whom he asked for a favor: to procure a rock hammer for him. Red jokingly suggests that Andy wants to escape, possibly by tunneling under the wall. In response, Andy laughs and assures Red that he will understand the purpose of the rock hammer once he sees it.

Red admired Andy for his quiet demeanor and distinctive mannerisms that stood out in the prison environment. He would stroll around, carefree and unconcerned, as if shielded by an invisible coat. Red felt an instant liking towards him. In the initial years, Andy experienced the harshest aspects of prison life, including physical assaults and sexual abuse. Although he never revealed the identity of his tormentors, everyone knew it was the Sisters gang, who always targeted him when he was alone. Andy would occasionally appear with fresh bruises, having defended himself on some occasions but not always succeeding.

Andy had a routine that Red believed would eventually be his downfall. The Sisters had previously attacked him, causing severe injuries. Andy was hospitalized for a month while their leader, Bogs, was punished with a week in solitary confinement. Bogs knew what awaited him upon his return to his cell and attempted to escape but failed. As a result, the Sisters never harmed Andy again, and Bogs lost the ability to walk.

Andy, after his heroic act on the rooftop of the licence plate factory, was transferred to a minimum-security prison where he spent his remaining days consuming his meals through a straw. The guards demonstrated this act of

respect towards Andy. The rooftop scene occurred in the spring of 1949 when the licence plate factory's roof required resurfacing. A total of twelve volunteers were required for a one-week task. Surprisingly, over one hundred men volunteered, and among them were Red and some acquaintances, including Andy. Red, being resourceful, managed to bribe the guards with a pack of cigarettes per man and earned his usual 20% cut.

The head guard's brother passed away, leaving him with an inheritance of $35000. However, the guard is unhappy because he knows that a significant tax will be deducted by the government. Andy, despite eavesdropping on their conversation, confronts the guard about this matter. Andy's first question to the guard is about his trust in his wife. The guard is displeased by Andy's comment and tries to push him off the top of the license plate factory. In the process, Andy exclaims that if the guard truly trusts his wife, there should be no reason for him not to keep the entire $35000.

The guard stops and asks Andy about his remark. Andy explains that the IRS allows spouses to receive a tax-free gift of up to $60000 once in a lifetime. The guard immediately recognizes Andy as the clever banker who killed his wife. Andy then suggests that the guard would need a lawyer to set up the tax-free gift, which would come with a cost. However, Andy offers to do it himself, saving the guard some money. In return, Andy only asks for 3 beers for each of his co-workers, stating that men working outdoors feel more manly with a bottle of beer.

On the second

last day of the job, the convict crew who tarred the plate factory roof in the spring of 1949 found themselves sitting in a row at 10 o’clock in the morning, enjoying icy-cold beer. They relished in the feeling of freedom, basking in the sun with their shoulders exposed. Meanwhile, Andy, who spent the break huddled in the shade, had a peculiar little smile on his face as he watched us enjoy his beer. One might argue that he did this to gain favor with the guards or make friends with the other convicts, but Red believed it was Andy's way of feeling normal again, even if only temporarily.

The Library Once Andy was released from the infirmary, he was assigned to work in the prison library alongside a prisoner called Brooks, who had been the librarian for 37 years. Surprisingly, the guards began approaching Andy for financial advice, indicating that he had gained favor with them and the warden. Taking advantage of this newfound trust, Andy decided to expand the library and approached the warden for funds. However, the warden explained that their budget was already stretched thin. Undeterred, Andy proposed writing to the state senate directly to request funds for the library expansion.

The Warden is skeptical about giving Andy the funds, but acknowledges Andy's determination when he offers to write a letter per week. The Warden then grants Andy permission to do so and offers to send the letters for him. Consequently, Andy begins writing a weekly letter as promised, but he receives no replies as the Warden predicted. Nevertheless, one day Andy receives a letter from the State Senate. The

letter states: Dear Mr. Du Fresne, in response to your repeated inquiries, the state has allocated $200 to your library project, enclosed herewith.

The library district has kindly donated used books as a charitable contribution. We hope this will meet your needs, and we consider the matter resolved. We request that you stop sending us letters. The State Sennet responded to Andy's request after 6 years of correspondence. Andy vowed to send two letters per week from that point forward, and he followed through on his promise. In 1959, the State Sennet realized that a $200 check alone would not satisfy him.

The Appropriations committee approved an yearly payment of $500 to silence him. It was incredible how resourceful Andy was, as he struck deals with book clubs and charity groups, and purchased discounted books in bulk. By the time Kennedy was assassinated, Andy had turned the storage room with a strong odor into the finest prison library in New England, boasting an excellent collection including Hank Williams. He decided to name it after Brooks. While organizing the books in the Warden's office, Andy discovers an old record and decides to play it on the record player.

He then isolates himself and places the prison megaphone beside the record player. The entire prison comes to a halt, as the voices of the two Italian women soar higher and farther than anyone in the dreary environment had ever imagined. It is as if a magnificent bird has entered their confinement and caused the walls to vanish, granting every man at Shawshank a fleeting taste of freedom. This infuriates the warden to such an extent that Andy

is sentenced to spend two weeks in solitary confinement. Among the minor characters, the warden holds a crucial position within the prison.

Despite being a firm believer in God, the Warden, who is in charge of everything, is highly corrupt. With countless scams and a river of dirty money flowing through the prison, he has Andy involved in channeling funds through various means such as stocks, securities, and tax-free municipals. The Warden has high hopes for Andy to make him a millionaire before his retirement. Troubled by the possibility of Andy proving his innocence, the Warden goes to extremes by eliminating Williams. Moreover, he is concerned about Andy revealing their illegal activities and thus sends him to solitary confinement for a month.

Upon completing his month in solitary confinement, Andy informs the warden that he will no longer assist him. The warden disagrees and threatens to confiscate everything Andy treasures, including the library. As a result, Andy is compelled to comply with the warden's demands. In the year 1966, Andy successfully escapes from Shawshank prison. All that remains of him are some dirty prison clothes, a bar of soap, and an old rock hammer that is almost completely worn down. Red recalls thinking that it would take an individual approximately 60 years to tunnel through the wall using that hammer, yet Andy accomplishes this feat in less than 20 years.

Andy had a passion for geology and realized that all he needed to do to break through the wall in his cell was patience and a pressor. Additionally, he required a large poster to conceal the hole. Interestingly, Andy's favorite pastime involved carrying pieces of

the wall into the exercise yard, doing so bit by bit. However, after Williams was killed, Andy must have decided that he had spent enough time in prison. He packed some of his belongings, including his chess pieces, into a plastic bag and securely sealed it. Then, using a piece of rope, he tied the bag to his foot. Andy proceeded to crawl through the tunnel he had excavated and eventually reached the surae line, successfully breaking into it.

He traveled through 500 yards of unimaginable filth to achieve his freedom. The following day, an unidentified man entered the main bank, a complete stranger until that very moment. His existence was limited to documents and identification, which he possessed flawlessly. It was rumored that he visited numerous banks that morning and absconded with approximately $370,000 belonging to the Warden. Andy successfully made his way across the border at Port Hancock, Texas, embarking on a journey as a liberated individual heading towards the Pacific. Meanwhile, Red was granted parole, following Andy's advice to make his way to Buxton when released.

In a hay field with a long rock wall and a big oak tree at the north end, there was an unusual piece of black volcanic glass. Andy told Red that there was something buried under the glass and he wanted to give it to him. After Red was released, he searched for the hay field and discovered an old tin hidden beneath the black rock. Inside the tin, he found a letter and some money. The letter addressed Red and mentioned his escape, urging him to continue further. It also asked if Red remembered the

name of the town.

I am in need of a reliable accomplice to help me with my project. I will be on the lookout for you and the chessboard is prepared. Remember, Red, hope is a valuable thing, perhaps the most valuable. And good things never truly perish. I hope this letter reaches you in good health. Your friend, Andy. At this point in his life, Red found himself guilty of committing a crime once again. This time, it was a violation of his parole. He purchased a ticket for a bus bound for Port Hancock, Texas and crossed the border to reunite with his friend Andy. Their reunion brought great joy to both of them. The message conveyed by this ending to society is to never give up; eventually, you will reach your destination or achieve your desires.