Andy’s important actions included:

  Creating the library, standing up to the guards, creating the big scam, Digging the Tunnel and the music

·         Building the library

This was a very significant action in the movie because it helps us to understand certain aspects of his character. One trait that Andy holds is perseverance, he shows this by writing two letters every week for two years so that he could secure funds for the development of the library. His perseverance ended up benefiting hugely for many of the inmates because there became more of an interest for reading and it also created jobs for Red, Brooks etc.

Through this action we were able to learn that Andy likes to make the most of all situations especially in prison. This was his way of keeping himself occupied but also educated.

·         Standing up to the guards and getting the beer

This action also helps us to realize more about his personality. He is always calm and collected throughout the whole film, but in the roof top scene this side of him is emphasized. He gets treated that he will be pushed over the side of the roof and is being held over the edge, Andy manages to calmly talk his way out of a deadly ‘accident’. We also get to understand that6 he is brave. No one would ever ask to have a beer from the guards. But Andy does!! This shows contrast between him and the other inmates, as they would never stand up to them. He gains great respect from the inmates and makes them feel like free men just for a short period of time. Andy is humble and refuses to drink a cool beer with his mates because he gained great satisfaction by seeing his inmates feel like a free man. This is enough if an achievement for him.

·         Putting on the music

This action helps us to make a strong connection that Andy is a brave man. He knows that he will get a beating and a long time in the hole, nut Andy still locks himself in the room and plays the record on loud throughout the whole prison. This action makes all the men stop what they are doing and just appreciate the beautiful voice. Even though he knows he is getting a beating he does it for the pleasure of his inmates as well as hi8s own. Andy does many little actions like this but he gains so much self respect and satisfaction.

Andy’s important relationships

With Red, Brooks, Warden Nortin, Tommy and with the sisters.

·Red

Both Red and Andy benefit from their strong friendship. In a way the reason that both of them end up getting out of Shawshank is because of the help of each other. Andy is helped by Red to escape even though Red didn’t know it. Red being a man who can get things, smuggled in a tiny pick axe which Andy then used to tunnel out over the years. Andy helped Red out greatly because he gave Red hope that he could be somebody on the outside. This was important because if Red hadn’t of realized this then he would have ended up like Brooks. Andy gave Red hope and faith. So if these two did not meet up I think that they both wouldn’t have ended up leaving Shawshank safely.

·         Tommy

Through this relationship it is confirmed that Andy is completely innocent. Tommy knows who actually killed his wife and lover. Tommy is taught how to read and write by Andy and this is very important to both characters because Tommy is like a project for Andy and Tommy benefits directly when he passes his final tests. It gives Andy something to do to fill up his time while it gives Tommy some direction for his future out side of prison…even though he ended up being shot by the guards.

·         Warden Norton

The warden used Andy for his intelligence and accounting skills. It became a sly battle of wits and ingenious. Who is smarter? Intelligence or power? In the end intelligence won, when Andy uncovers all of the scams that he has been pulling one the warden. This ended with the warden committing suicide.

Beliefs

Innocence, hope, setting goals, perseverance, and believes in 2^nd chances

·         Hope

Andy is full of hope!! Throughout his time in Shawshank he has hope that true justice will happen and he will exit the prison forever. He also gives hope to Red “Remember Red. Hope is a good thin, maybe the best of things and no good thing ever dies”

·        In 2^nd chances

Andy believes that everybody deserves a second chance, from a troubled young man like Tommy to convicted aging old man like Red. This belief is shown through his perseverance with teaching Tommy to read and write. Tommy thinks he has failed his final test so he chucks it in the bin, but Andy posts it any way. The results come back with it being that Tommy passed. This gave Tommy a second chance at education. He also gives Red a 2^nd chance at ‘life’ by giving him direction and hope

Personality

Andy is courageous and brave, he likes to keep to himself even though he has some close friendships with some fellow inmates. Hew keeps to him as well as keeping many secrets including digging a tunnel to escape and the ‘scam’. Andy is humble and doesn’t accept praise for his achievements e.g. Library and Tommy. He is intelligent which is what gets him out of prison but also he helps to reveal all the cons inside the prison. He always seems calm and collected, he is mentally strong his whole time in prison

Important Dialogue

Red: [narrating] I wish I could tell you that Andy fought the good fight, and the Sisters let him be. I wish I could tell you that - but prison is no fairy-tale world. He never said who did it, but we all knew. Things went on like that for awhile - prison life consists of routine, and then more routine. Every so often, Andy would show up with fresh bruises. The Sisters kept at him - sometimes he was able to fight 'em off, sometimes not. And that's how it went for Andy - that was his routine. I do believe those first two years were the worst for him, and I also believe that if things had gone on that way, this place would have got the best of him.

[Andy after Warden Norton refuse to appeal his case]

Andy Dufresne: It's my life. Don't you understand? IT'S MY LIFE!

Warden Samuel Norton: I have to say that's the most amazing story I've ever heard. What amazes me most is that you were taken in by it.

Andy Dufresne: Sir?

Warden Samuel Norton: It's obvious this fellow Williams is impressed with you, he hears your tale of woe and naturally wants to cheer you up. He's young, not terribly bright, it's not surprising he wouldn't know what a state he put you in.

Andy Dufresne: Sir, he's telling the truth.

Warden Samuel Norton: Let's say for the moment this Blatch does exist. You think he'd just fall to his knees and cry: "Yes, I did it. I confess! By the way, add a life term to my sentence."

Andy Dufresne: That wouldn't matter. With Tommy's testimony I can a new trial.

Warden Samuel Norton: That's assuming Blatch is still there. Chances are, he'd be released by now.

Andy Dufresne: They'd have his last known address, names of his relatives. It's a chance, isn't it.

[Norton shakes his head]

Andy Dufresne: How can you be so obtuse?

Warden Samuel Norton: What? What did you call me?

Andy Dufresne: Obtuse? Is it deliberate?

Warden Samuel Norton: You're forgetting yourself.

Andy Dufresne: The country club will have his old timecards. Records, W-2s with his names on it. Sir, if I ever get out, I'd never mention what happens here. I'd be just as indictable as you for laundering that money.

Warden Samuel Norton: [Norton slaps the table]

Warden Samuel Norton: Don't you mention money to me again. You sorry SON OF A BITCH! NOT IN THIS ROOM, NOT EVER

District Attorney: And that also is very convenient, isn't it, Mr. Dufresne?

Andy Dufresne: Since I am innocent of this crime, sir, I find it decidedly *inconvenient* that the gun was never found.

Red: Let me tell you something my friend. Hope is a dangerous thing. Hope can drive a man insane.

Red: These walls are funny. First you hate 'em, then you get used to 'em. Enough time passes, you get so you depend on them. That's institutionalized.

Heywood: Shit. I could never get like that.

Prisoner: Oh yeah? Say that when you been here as long as Brooks has.

Red: Goddamn right. They send you here for life, and that's exactly what they take. The part that counts, anyway.

Red: Rehabilitated? Well, Now let me see. You know, I don't have any idea what that means.

1967 Parole Hearings Man: Well, it means that you're ready to rejoin society...

Red: I know what *you* think it means, sonny. To me it's just a made up word. A politician's word, so young fellas like yourself can wear a suit and a tie, and have a job. What do you really want to know? Am I sorry for what I did?

1967 Parole Hearings Man: Well, are you?

Red: There's not a day goes by I don't feel regret. Not because I'm in here, or because you think I should. I look back on the way I was then: a young, stupid kid who committed that terrible crime. I want to talk to him. I want to try and talk some sense to him, tell him the way things are. But I can't. That kid's long gone and this old man is all that's left. I got to live with that. Rehabilitated? It's just a bullshit word. So you go on and stamp your form, sonny, and stop wasting my time. Because to tell you the truth, I don't give a shit.

Red: Same old shit, different day