There is a story like this in every good library in America. A story that surprises you. A story that brings you down to the darkest places imaginable, then raises you up to the heights of nobility. A story about an ordinary person with an extraordinary spirit. Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption by Stephan King is such a book. Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption is a novella about two gentlemen incarcerated in the Shawshank Prison in Maine, author Stephen King's home state. It explores the corruption of the prison system, but also the indomitable power of the human spirit and the true meaning of freedom. Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption takes place in Maine between the years of 1948 and 1977. It is a first person narrative told by the convict Red describing his relationship and observation of his fellow convict Andrew “Andy” Dufresne. Andy Dufresne was sent to the …show more content…
Adjusting to life outside of prison is difficult for Red, but he does not try to get back into the system because he feels it would be a betrayal of everything he learned from Andy. In April of 1977 Red starts looking for Andy's hayfield where the key was supposed to be hidden. On April 23 of 1977 Red finds the place where the key was supposed to be and he finds an envelope with his name on it. In the envelope Red finds $1000 and a letter from Peter Stevens inviting Red to come to Mexico. Red decides to break his parole and the story ends with Red planning to head down to Mexico to find Andy. Looking at Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank redemption with a critical eye the reader will find numerous elements of merit. Every good story should contain engaging characters, an interesting plot, and an element which uplifts the human spirit and encourages us to step beyond ourselves into something better. Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption brings all of these elements to its readers in a gritty, thought provoking tale of