: As noted by SparkNotes , hope is the engine that drives the characters. While Red (Morgan Freeman) initially views hope as a "dangerous thing," Andy proves it is the only thing that can keep a soul alive in solitary confinement.
: Critic Roger Ebert famously described the film as an allegory for maintaining self-worth in a hopeless environment. Cultural Context and Lasting Impact shawshank redemption index new
The Research on the Way of Portraying Human Nature in the American Film : As noted by SparkNotes , hope is