In the movie, Shawshank Redemption, the main character, Andy Dufresne, was a rich banker, until he became a malefactor, after being convicted of murdering his wife and her lover. Andy follows the typical hero’s journey during his time at the Shawshank prison. Andy’s call to adventure is his arrival to the jail, where he had a decision to be strong or weak. The true first test for Andy was whether or not he was going to be able to keep from crying during the first night. Andy didn't cry, and was therefore one step closer to becoming accepted by the other inmates. Andy’s mentor at Shawshank was Red. Andy and Red became great friends and Red showed Andy how to survive and flourish at Shawshank. Over time, Andy was fully accepted into the prison and became one of “the guys,” none of whom were staid. This is the point where he “enters the belly of the whale.” Andy begins to take newer prisoners under his wing, just like Red had with him. After conniving with the warden, unwillingly, Andy helped him forge his records. Andy realizes that the warden had become his adversary, and would never let him leave Shawshank. This is the point in the movie where Andy decides that he must escape. Although Andy had been digging a hole out of his cell almost since he had began living at Shawshank, he really decided to disentangle himself once his situation at Shawshank became too dangerous.
Andy also displays characteristics of a “Christ figure” throughout the movie. These characteristics can be used to describe both Jesus Christ and Andy. After being raped by Boggs and the Sisters or after being beaten by the guards at Shawshank, Andy displayed agony. He would feel pain, but would internalize it. Before escaping Shawshank, Andy was last seen with prisoners, or thieves. Before Andy escapes the prison, he tells Red, that if he ever gets out of prison, that he should come to Mexico to meet up with him. Before Red shows up on the beach in Zihuatanejo, Andy spends time in the wilderness alone on those same beaches.
Andy also displays characteristics of a “Christ figure” throughout the movie. These characteristics can be used to describe both Jesus Christ and Andy. After being raped by Boggs and the Sisters or after being beaten by the guards at Shawshank, Andy displayed agony. He would feel pain, but would internalize it. Before escaping Shawshank, Andy was last seen with prisoners, or thieves. Before Andy escapes the prison, he tells Red, that if he ever gets out of prison, that he should come to Mexico to meet up with him. Before Red shows up on the beach in Zihuatanejo, Andy spends time in the wilderness alone on those same beaches.