Andy, and the subsequent injustices that are done to him while there. These injustices take the form of sexual assault by other prisoners, a refusal on the part of the warden to acknowledge evidence of his innocence, and a resulting two-month assignment to solitary confinement when he tries to argue the point. Red, who his continually rejected for parole despite obviously being “rehabilitated,” the characters continually face situations in which they are treated in a manner that both they and the audience would view as unjust.
The use and abuse of power extends to the prisoners. Red uses his influence with the guards to get all of his friends on the same work detail. At the same time, Boggs and The Sisters use their physical power to force Andy into unwanted sexual acts. Even Andy uses his power, exercising the expert power of his financial abilities in illegal ways and doing so, gaining privileges for both the other prisoners and himself.
The use and abuse of power extends to the prisoners. Red uses his influence with the guards to get all of his friends on the same work detail. At the same time, Boggs and The Sisters use their physical power to force Andy into unwanted sexual acts. Even Andy uses his power, exercising the expert power of his financial abilities in illegal ways and doing so, gaining privileges for both the other prisoners and himself.
"Red: There's a con like me in every prison in America, I guess. I'm the guy who can get it for you. Cigarettes, a bag of reefer if you're partial, a bottle of brandy to celebrate your kid's high school graduation. Damn near anything, within reason."
"Andy: My wife used to say I'm a hard man to know. Like a closed book. Complained about it all the time. She was beautiful. God I loved her. I just didn't know how to show it, that's all. I killed her, Red. I didn't pull the trigger, but I drove her away. And that's why she died, because of me."