肖申克的救赎中安迪的自我救赎分析英语学士学位论文

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1、成都理工大学2014届学士学位论文An Analysis of Andys Self-Redemption in the Film The Shawshanks Redemption肖申克的救赎中安迪的自我救赎分析iiAbstractThe film The Shawshank Redemption is adapted from American famous writer Stephen Kings gothic novel The Shawshank Redemption. Since it was released in 1994, it has been adored because

2、 of its unique selection and theme. It reveals the human nature in the form of an extremely cool manner. At the same time, it provokes people to rethink the western rationalism culture with a positive attitude. From this perspective, the whole film stands at the standpoint of culture and personal re

3、lationship. The paper aims at the analysis of the hero Andys character in The Shawshank Redemption. Combined with the plots of the film, it explores the reasons for Andy to redeem himself.This paper consists three chapters. Chapter one gives an introduction to the plot of the film. Then, chapter two

4、 analyzes the subjective reasons why Andy realizes his self-redemption in the film The Shawshanks Redemption. In the third chapter, the author illustrates the objective reasons why Andy achieves his self-redemption in the film The Shawshanks Redemption and gets the conclusion that Redemption lies in

5、 our minds. People should learn to be optimistic in face of any difficulties, just like Andy. Key words: redemption; subjective reasons; objective reason肖申克的救赎中安迪的自我救赎分析摘 要电影肖申克的救赎是改编自美国著名作家史提芬京的哥特式小说肖申克的救赎。自1994年上映以来,影片以其独特的选材和主题建构备受推崇。它以一种极其冷静的方式揭示了人性主题,同时它让人们以积极的态度重新思考西方理性主义文化问题。从这个角度出发,整部电影站在文化和

6、人的关系立场上。本文旨在分析主人公安迪在肖申克的救赎的性格。结合电影的情节,它探讨了安迪救赎自己的理由。本文由三章组成。第一章简要介绍了影片的情节。然后,第二章分析了在电影肖申克的救赎中安迪实现自我救赎主观原因。在第三章中,作者阐明了在电影肖申克的救赎中安迪实现自我救赎的客观原因，并且得出结论救赎存在于我们的思想。我们应该学会乐观面对任何困难,就像安迪一样。关键词：救赎；主观原因；客观原因;ContentsAbstracti摘 要iiIntroduction11.Main Plot of the Film12. Subjective Reasons22.1 Insistence of Hope

7、 and Desire for Freedom32.1.1 Scene One32.1.2 Scene Two32.1.3 Comments on These Two Scenes42.2 Professional Skills and Wisdom52.3 Optimism and Strength62.4 Bravery72.5 Great Patience72.6 Calmness83. Objective Reasons83.1 Others Help83.2 The Wardens Arrogance and Ignorance93.3 Opportunity9Conclusion1

8、0Acknowledgements10Works Cited11ivAn Analysis of Andys Self-Redemption in the Film The Shawshanks Redemption肖申克的救赎中安迪的自我救赎分析Introduction The Shawshank Redemption is based on the contemporary story of Frank Darabont in 1994. Its really a very excellent inspirational film as well as a profound implica

9、tion of fine arts. It breaks through the limit of the same kind of prison-escape movie. It describes the unusual warm feelings and human kindness. This film, with jail this special kind of background, not only lets the audience see the American judicial world, moreover also has the audience see the

10、adverse circumstance which cannot lead the human to give up hope.When in trouble, should we be depressed or be progressive? The Shawshank Redemption has given us a clear answer. Freedom, hope, patience, bravery, are the theme of the film. This film shows many aspects of philosophy in life, which is

11、worth everybodys attention. 1.Main Plot of the Film The story happened in 1947. Vice president of the largest U.S. banker Andy, after being treated as murder of his wife and her lover on a frustrated night, was brought to justice. Wifes infidelity, the treacherous lawyers, judges miscarriage of just

12、ice, violent prison guards, greedy and mean governor, all these things suddenly pushed Andy to the hell from the pinnacle of life .He was sentenced to life imprisonment and sent to Shawshank Prison.Andy remarks pointedly, and tries to maintain what a normal person should possess as far as possible.

13、His being unusual attracts the attention of the black prisoner Reid and these two people eventually become very good friends. Accidently, he begins to use his own rich financial knowledge to help the jailer have legitimate tax evasion, and even help the warden with money laundering, in exchange for

14、a little more lenient treatment for himself. He even takes pains to write a letter to the state and finally in a few years gets the response that the state government decides to donate books, record players and even unprecedented prison library foundation - $500 a year to Shawshank. Andy finally lea

15、rns the truth that his wife was killed by a new prisoner. However, when he asks the warden an explanation, he was roughly rebuffed. Because of greed, the warden had Andy be his cash cow for profiteering and he even kills the prisoner familiar with the matter and wants to forever keep Andy in Shawsha

16、nk to satisfy his endless greed for money. After his disillusionment of the law, Andy finally chooses the way of self-redemption. Andy always sticks to hope and yearns for freedom and finally, on a thunderstorm night, he climbs out of the prison from the fecal sewage pipe, and regain his freedom. An

17、dy, at this moment has become a symbol of freedom, a symbol of hope. After Andy regain the freedom, he goes to various of banks and withdraws all the money that he runs for the governor, and he also sends letters to the literacy police which can reveal the wardens corruption ,and then he goes to his

18、 dream place Mexico Beach . After the truth comes out, the warden of Shawshank shoots himself. After the third time he applies for parole, Reid is also successfully released out of jail. Finally, on a sunny day on the beach Reid meets Andy, and they finally live the rest of their life in freedom.The

19、 film shows us, with his excellent character and under the help of his friend, how Andy obtains his greatest Redemption2. Subjective ReasonsIn the court, Andy Dufresne claims that he is innocent. However, all the evidences indicate that he is the murder who must be punished. At last, Andy is sentenc

20、ed to a lifelong imprisonment. Since the fair law cannot help him, Andy is doomed to save himself. The redemption is really a harsh task, which needs a person to equip himself. Andy, as it is, is just the one who can achieve his own redemption.Here, this paper analyzes six important subjective reaso

21、ns for Andys self-redemption in the film. They are: insistence of hope and desire for freedom, professional skills and wisdom, optimism and strength，bravery , great patience and calmness.2.1 Insistence of Hope and Desire for FreedomThere are many touching scenes in the film the Shawshank Redemption.

22、 These scenes impress the audience deeply and at the same time reflect the reason of Andys self-redemption. The following part will show Andys insistence of hope and desire for freedom through two touching scenes.2.1.1 Scene OneOn a sunny morning, the prisoners are sitting on the roof after they fin

23、ish the work, drinking cold beer that Andy gets under the risk of his life, and enjoying a moment of freedom. Reid describes his feeling at that time like this: We stand drank with the sun on our shoulders and felt like freemen. We could have been tarring the roof of one of our own houses.( Darabont

24、 20) From the details we can easily see, though in an unjust verdict, although he has been deprived of freedom, Andy never loses confidence and is always full of hope for the future, which is why he can remain independent in the institutionalization of prison 2.1.2 Scene TwoOnce Andy has a chance, h

25、e plays beautiful music to all his fellows. He dares to lock himself in the studio of Shawshank prison and uses the giant speakers to broadcast a piece of beautiful music. Andy and all the prisoners are addicted to the music of the outer world. All the people in the Shawshank feel free. Maybe they d

26、o not understand what the Italy women sing, and never want to make sense actually, because there are things which need not to be described in words. But everyone has the belief that it is the most glorious thing that cannot be depicted with languages. The singing was so resounding and melodious, whi

27、ch is beyond the prisoners dreams just like a beautiful bird flying into the high wall. It makes them forget the constraints from the bar irons. Facing the ferocious and distorted warden, he turns up the voice on purpose, knowing clearly what is waiting him, but he still does it. Perhaps this small

28、piece of music note cannot be called complete freedom. It may just be a flash of lightning, or a piece of whispering, and maybe these broken liberties make prisoners see the real lifes darkness and cruelty.Anyway, Andy is right, even if it pains Andy he still wants to keep himself, to keep the yearn

29、ing for freedom, to keep the hope to insist, in order to realize the self-redemption.One prisoner asks Andy whether it is worthy. Andy says where there is music, there is freedom. We cant help thinking of the words of Andys: “Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free”. ( Darabont 34)With the

30、 longing for freedom, Andy insists on turning out the music in prison to enjoy the life of the ordinary people. Because of the hope in the heart, Andy can challenge the authority. It is the desire for the freedom and the insistence of hope that Andy realizes self-Redemption. Anyway, Andy is right. E

31、ven if it pays much, Andy still wants to keep himself, to keep the yearning for freedom, to keep the insistence of hope. Only by this can Andy realize his self-redemption.2.1.3 Comments on These Two ScenesAll Andy has done is to risk his life to fight for a chance to drink freely. He will rather off

32、end the warden and the extremely feared jailer just only to let prisoners feel free from the music. It seems to Andy that what he has done is just for one word, that is “freedom”. People cannot lose freedom, and they are supposed to fight for liberty for themselves even if in jail, because he holds

33、the view that the meaning of being alive for people is to fight for freedom.Prison is divided into two types：one is the limit of jail, and another is to be institutionalized; the former is just to constraint liberties through the human body, while the latter one is to restrict freedom from ones soul

34、 and spirit. And what the movie wants to emphasize is exactly the restrictions on thought of freedom.As Reid says in the film “first you hate them ,then ,you get used to it ,enough time passes, you get so ,you depended on them , that is institutionalized.( Darabont 45)Although Andy is trapped in des

35、tiny, he has the desire for freedom. Get busy living, or get busy dying. Andy says,” Life has only two choicesget busy living or get busy dying.”(46) This is one of my favorite words. It enlightens us that people may occasionally stop and jump out to look at our own appearance. Well finally know, pe

36、ople who are used to obeying the rules will lose their original freedom which belongs to each individual. People cant afford to lose freedom. Even in prison, they should also try their best to fight for freedom for themselves. In Andys view, why people is alive is to fight for their freedom. In this

37、 film, Andy sets the spirit of himself and those prisoners free. Time can make people get used to anything. Just as the old Brooks, they are all “institutionalized”. “These walls are funny. First you hate them. Then you get used to them. Enough time passes, you get so you depend on them. Thats insti

38、tutionalized”. ( Darabont 45) Their hearts are desperate and numb. Nevertheless, in the most hopeless prison, Andy uses his way to remind himself and those around him that theres something that cant be barred by wall-the hope in the bottom of our heart! Hope is one of American spirits. With hope, he

39、 has waited in Shawshank for about 20 years. In his eyes, people should live in hope. And it is with the belief of hope and freedom that Andy has the ability to have the determination to attain self-redemption. The pursuit of freedom is the eternal theme, and hope is the power for freedom.2.2 Profes

40、sional Skills and WisdomThe society is not a world of fairy-tale. Man who wants to realize his dreams must have his special and professional skills rather than blank words and illusion. Originated from the traditional agriculture, traditional American spirit did not emphasize peoples knowledge in th

41、e society. Yet, after the industrial revolution, the American society gradually changed into capitalism. Industrialization altered the way Americans thought, and at the same time it transformed their ways of making a living. As the society became more complex, the need for specialized training incre

42、ased. One has to own skills to achieve what he wants. Just as British philosopher, Francis Bacon says “Knowledge is power”.( Darabont 41) A free man can gain knowledge from different sources to fulfill his mind, while one can be wretched if he is ignorant. Andy is an educated man full of skills and

43、wisdom. With his excellent work, he comes to be a promising vice-president of a bank. Even though he is in prison, his knowledge makes him extraordinary. Owning professional skills and wisdom helps Andy escape from the jail.Firstly, professional skills protect Andy against the Sisters harassment and

44、 hard work. Thanks to his professional skills and wisdom, serious situation has changed. For example, in order to let Andy help him laundry money, Mr. Norton gives the Sisters a big lesson to help Andy clear threat.Secondly, Professional skills and wisdom are the key reason why Andy succeeds in esca

45、ping from the prison. First of all, Andy makes everybody thinks his hobby is shaping and polishing rocks so that he can tunnel under the wall. Moreover, Andy knows that almost every man likes beauties, so he covers the wall with a big poster of a lovely girl. He uses the big poster to hide his great

46、 tunnel easily. At last, Andy hides his rock hammer in the Holy Bible and the guards cannot find it. Thirdly, Andy masters the geological knowledge very well. He does not only know well about numbers, but also geology. And knowing geology is the foundation of digging an escaping hole. 2.3 Optimism a

47、nd StrengthAndy experiences many unimaginable miseries.Firstly, Andy is a very successful banker and enjoys a very cozy life. But suddenly Andy suffers unwarranted charges and is sentenced to life in prison, which means losing his reputation, losing a comfortable life and even losing his freedom. Th

48、ough receiving a fatal sentence, Andy does not feel hopeless and desperate. He makes himself get used to the prison life. Secondly, in the early days in prison, Andy experiences gay insult and is often subjected to inhuman treatment. Thirdly, Andy spends his own excellent youth, a full twenty years

49、in prison. With all above, Andy endures these catastrophes silently. He does not blame others and destiny. He just wants to go out to live a better life.But Reid takes it all and he is content with all that. At this point Andy and Reid have different nature, because suffering is for the sake of a be

50、tter life, but not suffering life itself.For Andy, people need to bear suffering, otherwise people cant live in the first place. But at the same time suffering is not life itself. Suffering is a bridge, a bridge to a better life. People not only bear suffering, but also see the meaning of suffering

51、in order to live a better life, otherwise they will not be able to know what is true life. That Andy remains optimistic and strong in the face of misfortune life is also a key reason that he finally manages to escape from Shawshank, and realizes self-redemption2.4 BraveryThat Andy brings the prisone

52、rs music shows his bravery. Absolutely, he knows he will get a heavy punishment if he does not stop playing the music. But he still turns up the radio and closes his eyes to enjoy the music. In fact, he does it on purpose. Andys bravery means he can challenge the authority, inspire people and dig a

53、tunnel to escape. For himself, his bravery makes him insists on the longing for freedom and insistence of hope and in the end realize his self-redemption.2.5 Great PatienceIn order to build the first library in the jail, and in order to get the first batch of books, Andy keeps writing one letter eve

54、ry week for six years in a row and then he increases to two letters a week. In the second decade of Andys jail life, the library is completed. He desires freedom, so he digs a hole in the wall with a small hammer. It takes him 19 years to finally cut out a secret passage to the outside world. Andy i

55、s really a patient man who once has goals will consistently stick to it.He has waited for 19 years patiently and hopefully. Nineteen years is not a short time for anyone. However, with his great patience, Andy achieves his redemption finally.2.6 CalmnessHe behaves very calmly when facing Mr. Norton.

56、 As the guards first check his ward, they turn his small room up and down. In that situation, Andy does not appear to be nervous and frightened. They find the rock blanket and rocks, which turn out to be tools in Andys little hobby. Also, they see the big poster of Rita Hayworth, still, Mr. Norton s

57、ays “exceptions can be made”. In the small room, he hides all his unspoken secrets. To everybodys surprise, he looks so peaceful and answers the wardens questions in a logical way. 3. Objective ReasonsThere is no doubt that Andy is a man full of charm. In addition to his own good quality, some objec

58、tive reasons also help Andy succeed and achieve his self-redemption.3.1 Others HelpHuman beings make up a big society, and no one can stand without the support of nature, environment and other people. Andy cannot make his project come true in case there were no others help.Andys life in prison is ok

59、ay. At first, prisoners dont believe in him, and they eventually become good friends who help each other. Andy wont succeed without others help. First, he gets a rock hammer with the help of Reid, which is the only tool for him to dig a hole under the wall. Second, Reid and his friends try their bes

60、t to bring him some rocks. Third, they give Reid a big poster to cover the hole under the wall. During those 19 years in prison, they have built deep friendship with each other. Friendship is also an important part in the film. Andy helps them to obtain knowledge and have the desire for freedom. And

61、 in return, they help Andy to fulfill his dream and have his own redemption. 3.2 The Wardens Arrogance and IgnoranceTo some degree, the arrogance and ignorance of the warden, Mr. Norton indirectly helps Andy. From the warden, Mr. Nortons words “I believe in two things: Discipline and the Holy Bible.

62、 Here, youll receive both. Put your trust in the lord, your ass belongs to me”, the audience can know he is really an arrogant warden. All his behaviors indicate that he is arrogant and he always looks down upon others. He does not think there would be someone who manages to escape from his cage. Th

63、anks to his arrogance, Andy realizes his plan step by step just under his eyes. Mr. Norton thinks he is great, in fact, he is really innocent. The step he forces Andy to laundry his money tells us how foolish and innocent he is. He himself lets Andy deal with his credits and corruption evidences. Na

64、mely, while Andy helps Mr. Norton, he is killing the warden slowly. To some degree, Andy is a good killer. When Mr. Norton shoots himself, he still does not know how Andy defeats him.Thanks to his arrogance, he does not believe there would be someone who tries to escape from the jail. At the same ti

65、me, the act he forces Andy to laundry his money shows us what a foolish and innocent man he is. Andy helps him on the surface, but actually and slowly causes the death of him. Thanks to his arrogance, innocence and foolishness, Andy realizes his plan step by step just under his eyes.3.3 OpportunityChances became more important. An ambitious man can do nothing if there is no opportunity. Likewise, chance favors only the prepared mind. Fortunately, Andy gains both