Theme Of Determination In Shawshank Redemption

Determination in Shawshank Redemption Determination is a very important trait where a person follows through with a decision to achieve a certain purpose. In the movie Shawshank redemption directed by Frank Darabont, determination is an underlying key theme of the movie most present with the main character Andy Dufresne who uses determination and hope to escape prison. Although Andy has a hard time at first, he is able to fight against the struggles of prison and not only better his life with determination, but also Red by giving him something to achieve while out of prison on parole . The ways in which determination was developed in Shawshank Redemption were those of which hard work is shown to payoff and making the best out of every situation, even if the situation is unfair. Andy first shows a significant amount of determination when he quickly begins to plan his escape by asking Red to sneak in a rock hammer for him, which subtlety foreshadowed his escape. After Andy is first brought into the prison and proves himself by not breaking down on the first night, he keeps to himself for a month before approaching Red. Andy approaches Red because he has heard that Red knows how to get stuff, and asks for a rock hammer. After Andy introduces himself to Red, he asks “I wonder if you might get me a rock hammer.”. It is clear from this quotation that Andy wishes to get an item into the prison for himself, although it is against the rules of the prison. This request from Andy shows that he is determined to begin his plan of escaping

Andy immediately dedicated himself to programs and activities within the prison upon entry and that is what kept him going in the corrupt prison. Once Andy witnessed that his dedication within the prison was so harshly suppressed, Andy knew it was time to dedicate his life in other areas for “Whatever mistakes [he] made, [he’d] paid for them and then some”.