Symbolism In The Shawshank Redemption

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The Shawshank Redemption is a 1994 film that tells the story of Andy Dufresne, a banker wrongly accused with the homicide of his wife and her lover and sentenced to life in prison at Shawshank State Penitentiary. The film depicts the struggle Andy and his fellow inmates endured to survive and cope with their imprisonment. Within the film The Shawshank Redemption numerous symbols are present The library, Andy’s chess board and pieces, Reds harmonica, and the cold beers. These symbols help ground the characters and illustrate its theme: a hope for a better future during hard times.
The Library is a distraction for Andy, he sets a goal to expand it and puts all of his effort into achieving it. It is hope for him and the other inmates to gain knowledge …show more content…

At first the guys were working hard, too worried that if they stopped they would get in trouble. Andy puts his knowledge to use and grants them a luxury they could have never received otherwise, Red can obtain alcohol but not instantly so cold beer is impossible. Andy did this to try to feel as though they weren’t in prison, even with the guards watching their every move. They were just normal guys throwing a couple longnecks back with friends not a worry in the world. It also gets him the job for Warden Norton, and because of it he receives privileges that others don’t, putting him one step closer to freedom. Within the film The Shawshank Redemption numerous symbols are present The library, Andy’s chess board and pieces, Reds harmonica, and the cold beers. These symbols help ground the characters and illustrate its theme: a hope for a better future during hard times. All of these items Andy put there for himself and the others, to distract, give them hope, and make them feel normal again. Red and some of the others might resist or oppose, but Andy does this with best interest in mind. In the end they were all better people because of Andy’s actions, and he is a stronger person because of

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