Andy survives and escapes because he outthinks everyone else. He's smarter than his jailers, even though they think they're smarter than him. It's a battle of wills to see who triumphs, but we're betting on the little guy who thinks things through. Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption focuses a lot on the idea that being patient and persistent will help one learn to be cunning and clever. Andy's plans are darn smart, but they take years to realize. He just has to stay the course, and eventually people will see just how smart he's been all along.
Questions About Cunning and Cleverness
- In what way does Warden Norton think he's smarter than Andy? How does he show it to Andy?
- What does the book have to say about smart criminals and stupid criminals? Is that the only difference between prisoners and free men?
- How does Red display cleverness in the story? How is it different from Andy's? How is it the same?
- In what ways is Andy's intelligence helpful to him in the story? In what ways does it hurt him?
Chew on This
Try on an opinion or two, start a debate, or play the devil’s advocate.
Andy escapes because he outthinks the guards and wardens.
Andy escapes because he is patient and quiet. Cleverness isn't involved.