'On the outside i was straight as an arrow. It took me going to prison to make me a crook'

Why did you pick this quote/scene?

Because it perfectly summarizes the film in terms of morals, plot and irony. The protagonist was, for the most part, a young and prominent banker who never broke a single law - judicially or morally. Only upon his wife cheating on him did he slip and get publicly drunk and carried a weapon illegally. Still, these crimes were not severe enough to warrant a prison sentence. When convicted for a crime he did not commit, it was only then that Andy DuFresne started to break the law.

Embezzlement, possession, contraband and eventual escape - Andy's crimes were varied and well thought out. Yet in the 20 years he served of his sentence, it was the law enforcers - the warden and guards - that were the real criminals. Andy committed his misdeeds to preserve the lives of not only himself, but that of Red and his other prison friends. When Andy's life was threatened by 'the sisters', it took a deal with the lead guard to save his life. When evidence came to light that Andy was guilty, the warden killed the only credible witness and continued to force Andy to carry out his 'laundry'. It was through this injustice that Andy began to seriously plot and carry out his escape.

Using the posters of film sirens through the ensuing years, an escape hole was dug through the prison walls and to freedom. The film concludes with Red and Andy on a beach in Mexico - living out Andy's dream of a 'warm place with no memory'. This is the film's overall point. If it weren't for the warden's greed and hubris, Andy might still have been in prison - still wrongfully imprisoned, but making the most of the cards he had been dealt. However, due to the warden being sadistic, greedy and narcissistic, Andy got his freedom and the warden got what he deserved. In short, and with great irony, it took prison to make Andy a criminal and subsequently, ensured justice was carried out.