Probing Life In Prison Through A Shawshank Redemption Essay
A Shawshank Redemption essay can be a student’s viewpoint of Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption, a novel written by Stephen King in 1982. It was later made into a movie that was nominated for seven academy awards including Best Picture. The story is based on life within the walls of the Shawshank State Prison. Andy Dufresne is wrongly convicted of a double murder and is sentenced to spend the rest of his life in prison. In this scenario, he is tested to maintain his dignity and hopes to survive the ordeal with the help of his good friend Ellis Red Redding who is also serving term in prison.
Life as a banker never prepared Andy for a prison term. An essay writer can highlight how intelligence and perseverance shows Andy the way to survive. He learns Red has connections on the outside. On the pretext of pursuing his interest in sculpture, he gets a rock hammer through Red’s connections. A full-size poster of Rita Hayworth covers his cell wall. Hadley, the captain of the guards, has a problem with tax liability through inheritance. Andy helps him out and sees a way to get friendly to the guards. He starts helping others who need his expertise. His acquaintance with Hadley helps him escape an attack by one of other prisoners. The Shawshank Redemption essay can connect this incident with the words “Fear can hold you prisoner, Hope can set you free.”
Norton is the jail warden who sees Andy growing popular with the inmates and guards. Andy is allowed to start a library which helps him spend some useful time as well as get to know his way around. Norton has other plans for him. A proposal is accepted where prisoners are used for public service. They never really get paid for their labor, as Norton uses his contacts to get kickbacks. A literature review writing exercise can elaborate on the predicament Andy is in when he is asked to launder money for Norton.
Tommy is the new inmate in prison. Andy’s story strikes a bell when he remembers a confession made by Ernie, a prison mate from another prison. Ernie had actually killed Andy’s wife and the boyfriend. On learning this, the warden is not willing to let Andy go. Tommy is later killed to ensure Andy does not get respite. Brooks, another inmate who helped Andy look after the library, commits suicide on parole. A literature essay can elaborate on the turmoil going on in Andy’s mind when he realizes he has to escape.
The prison walls cannot hold Andy for too long. He escapes through a tunnel he has been digging all along. Red remembers his words about visiting York County after his release. On parole, he is motivated to follow Andy’s advice and visit the hayfield Andy told him about. He finds money there and is delighted. Meanwhile, Andy gets his revenge by tipping off the press about the Norton’s money-laundering racket. Red finds the courage to follow Andy to a Mexican resort. The Shawshank Redemption essay can bring out the irony in Red’s life, as he violates parole after spending 40 years in prison.
