The Shawshank Redemption Analysis

Doe Zantamata, an American author, once said, “Good friends help you find the most important things when you have lost them...your smile, your hope, and your courage.” In Frank Darabont’s film The Shawshank Redemption, hope and friendship are a large part of the characters’ lives, as they are inmates in the Shawshank prison. Andy is a newcomer and intrigues Red, an inmate who has been in the prison for a long time. Although Red is not sure what to think of him at first, they soon become good friends. Someone’s identity not only shapes that individual, but also the friendships one makes. Andy and Red’s contradicting identities draw them towards each other and transform their lives forever through their unique friendship. When it comes to Andy’s identity in the movie he goes through a change, arguably a growth, during his time in prison. When he is first sentenced and brought to the prison, he is very quiet and keeps to himself. Even Red says when he first saw Andy, he did not think much of him. But gradually Andy allows himself to get to know others and for others to know him. He shows he has a very confident side. According to Oxford Journals, “Confidence in one’s abilities generally enhances motivation,” (Benabou and Tirole). The first time the audience sees this is when the inmates are tarring the roof and Andy decides to suggest that he can do Hadley, the chief guard, and other guards’ taxes. He was even threatened to get thrown off the roof, and yet he continued to