The Shawshank Redemption quotes

Red describing Andy’s motivation for the beer

“I think he did it just to feel normal again, if only for a short while”

Warden’s intro to prison

“I believe in two things: discipline and the bible. Here you’ll recieve both”

“Put your trust in the Lord; your ass belongs to be”

Warden making Andy clean his shoes night of escape

“I want ‘em to shine like mirrors.”

Red describing the violence of the sisters unto Andy

“I wish I could tell you Andy fought the good fight and the sisters let him be… but prison is no fairytale world”

Warden threatening Andy. Example of facilitated violence.

“No more protection from the guards. I’ll pull you out of that one-bunk Hilton and put you in with the biggest bull queer I can find”

Andy’s formal social status.

“Vice-president of a large Portland bank”

Red’s power source within prison.

He is “a man who knows how to get things”

Hadley shouting when men initially arrive to prison. Example of dehumanization and unjust power. Inequality and status quo.

“You eat when we say you eat, you shit when we say you shit, you piss when we say you piss”

Hadley’s complaint about inheritance.

“Uncle Sam” will take “35,000”

Andy’s ironic statement about his money embezzlement.

“I had to come to prison to be a crook”

Note Andy leaves for the Warden upon escape. Andy finding redemption literally and metaphorically through the Bible

“You were right. Salvation lies within.”

Red’s comment about Andy’s escape. Highlights Andy’s dedication and ingenuity

You can achieve anything with “pressure and time”

Andy’s response to his wife requesting a divorce. Paints him as very guilty.

“I’ll see you in hell before i see you in Reno”

Judge’s description of Andy upon conviction.

“icy and remorseless man”

Red’s final parole hearing. Only when he accepts responsibility fir crime can he be free .

“There’s not a day goes by I don’t feel regret.” “I look back on the way I was then: a young, stupid kid who committeed that terrible crime…”

Andy confronting his past at end of film. Reflecting on his actions as a husband.

“I killed her Red. I didn’t pull the trigger but I drove her away”

Red reassuring Andy that he is innocent and deserves both redemption and freedom.

“Feel bad about it if you want to but you didn’t pull the trigger”

Red narrating Byron Hadley’s arrest.

He had “Cried like a girl”

Andy’s description of the Pacific Ocean, when telling Red how he wishes to move to Zihautanejo.

"A warm place with no memory”

Andy illuminating his sense of justice in final conversation with Red.

“Whatever mistakes I’ve made, I’ve paid for them and then some”

Andy’s resonating words to Red.

“Get busy livin’ or get busy dyin’ “

Red contemplating about Andy’s escape.

“Some birds aren’t meant to be caged. Their feathers are just too bright.”